The Gangcast

Janet and Isaiah go over the results of The Game Awards 2025, share some of their favorite announcements and highlights, and tally up their prediction scores along with the GANG community to see how everyone did. Then they look forward into 2026 and share their Gaming Resolutions for next year (GAMES). Then they talk about what’s on their Todo lists before the end of the year, help each other decide what to lock-in on and what to let go of (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up03:16 Games / TGA Results09:36 TGA Announcements & Highlights46:09 TGA Community Poll Results49:23 2026 Gaming Resolutions01:13:45 Not Games / End-of-Year Todo Lists02:03:01 Poll of the Show02:10:36 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah go down the list of categories for The Game Awards 2025 and share their personal picks and predictions for who the winners will be (GAMES). Then they dive into what it’s been like getting back into reading, their reading habits, and what books they’ve been enjoying since picking the hobby back up (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up09:10 Games / The Game Awards 2025 Picks and Predictions10:24 Most Anticipated Game12:57 Games for Impact19:00 Debut Indie Game21:16 Best Sports/Racing Game26:09 Best RPG28:44 Best Independent Game33:23 Best Family Game37:08 Best Action/Adventure Game40:42 Best Action Game44:45 Best Score & Music48:14 Best Performance51:10 Best Narrative01:00:12 Best Multiplayer01:08:16 Best Game Direction01:11:09 Best Audio Design01:13:38 Best Art Direction01:19:31 Game of the Year01:26:46 Not Games / Getting (back) into reading02:02:36 Poll of the Show02:06:24 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah go over some games on the horizon that have them a little scared for one reason or another. Whether they think the game might be mad, a little disappointing, or just too massive, they walk through some of their fears and hopes for the titles (GAMES). Then, in the spirit of resurrecting the dead, Janet and Isaiah talk about some hobbies they’ve brought back out, what made them pick these hobbies up again, how progress with things are going, and what they still hope to achieve now that the hobby is back (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:59 Games / Upcoming games we’re scared of42:36 Not Games / Resurrecting neglected hobbies01:15:33 Poll of the Show01:20:55 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about their time with Hollow Knight: Silksong now that they’ve both had some major time to play it. What they think of the first act, how it compares to Hollow Knight 1, and if it lands on their Top-10 games of the year so far. They also both have started Pokemon: Legends  Z-A and share some initial thoughts on that adventure (GAMES). Then, it finally happened! Janet and Isaiah talk about their wedding day, what it was like planning their wedding, what went well, what went wrong, and what advice they might have for others doing the same. They also go over their “Mini”-moon vacation, going to Universal, eating lunch with Toad and friends, exploring the Disneyland parks, and if they think it was all time well spent (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up06:06 Games / Hollow Knight Silksong52:49 Pokemon Legends Z-A (Check-in)01:02:47 Top-10 Games (Check-in)01:09:42 Not Games / Our Wedding + “Mini”-moon02:21:16 Poll of the Show02:29:21 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about when is it time to give up on a game, what are reasons you abandon playing a game to the end, and what games are on the chopping block to get dropped by them? They also compile a quick list of all the reasons they think someone might commonly abandon a game (GAMES). Then they talk about The Matrix movies. Isaiah only having seen the first 1 and Janet only having seen 2 - 4, they come together to talk about which of the movies are good, which are bad, and ultimately decide which are even worth watching in the first place (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:22 Games / When do you give up on a game?01:18:31 Not Games / The Matrix movies02:04:35 Poll of the Show02:07:19 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about Janet going international to attend Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, Germany. From Opening Night Live, to playing indie games, Janet and Isaiah recap some of the announcements and go over what games caught their attention (GAMES). Then they talk about their trip to Minnesota, trying out the (in)famous Juicy Lucy, seeing some Gangcast fans at the MinnMax meetup, and exploring the Mall of America (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:40 Games / Gamescom 202501:12:27 Not Games / Visiting Minnesota02:04:49 Poll of the Show02:11:20 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about Janet maybe starting Monster Train? Having Slay the Spire experience under her belt, they touch on if they think it’s a good time to pick up something new. They then pick a handful of games studios and try to find out what’s the best game from each one, touching on their history with the studio, its franchises, and more (GAMES). Then they talk about their past, present, and future with pets. Going over what pets they had growing up, sharing some fun and not so fun stories with pets from their childhood, and dream about what animal friends they may have in the future (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up05:12 Games / Janet starts Monster Train?11:48 Best games from each studio01:03:02 Not Games / Pets (our past, present, and future)01:54:31 Poll of the Show02:11:16 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about the latest updates in Janet’s Slay the Spire journey. They then talk about if they’re bananas for Bananza, their thoughts on the latest DK game, what they like, what they don’t like, and how they think it sits against other games in the genre (GAMES). Then they talk about cooking in the Garcia-Smith household. They go over what their goto meals are, their best recipes, and how they want to grow their skills in the kitchen (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up01:22 Games / Slay the Spire (Check-In)16:53 Donkey Kong Bananza49:00 Not Games / Cooking and Recipes01:28:19 Poll of the Show01:38:07 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about Slay the Spire, a modern classic roguelike deckbuilder that’s captured Janet’s attention while playing around with Nintendo Switch 2’s virtual game card sharing. From poisoning foes to building energy, Janet seems to be really enjoying her runs so far. Lets just hope this doesn’t take a turn for the worse (GAMES). Then they talk about attending Anime Expo 2025 in the Los Angeles Convention Center. They managed to catch a panel about Janet’s newest anime love Frieren, listened to some NASA scientist discuss if anime science is based on fact or fiction, share their Artist Alley flops, and come to terms with the fact that some Persona 5 music fans are just plain better than them (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:53 Games / Slay the Spire50:52 Not Games / Anime Expo 202501:37:47 Poll of the Show01:44:42 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about finding time to game. With recent changes to their day-to-day schedules and their backlogs continuing to pile up, they go over what gaming time used to be like for them, what its like most recently, and what they hope to transform it into in the near future (GAMES). Then they talk about just what has caused the recent changes in their day-to-day life, Isaiah getting a new job! They touch on how the new job has changed their sleep patterns (for the better?) as well as what going “back to work” shopping was like when you mix a shopper and non-shopper together (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up00:50 Games / Finding Time to Game49:05 Not Games / New Job, New Routines01:38:51 Poll of the Show01:47:47 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about their time with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. First with a review of the game, what they liked, what they didn’t, and everything in between while keeping it spoiler-free. Then they go into full blown spoiler cast talking story, mechanics, favorite strategies, and their overall thoughts on how the game plays out (GAMES). Then they talk about going to their first swim lessons (Janet a complete beginner and Isaiah having a light history with swimming). What their first lessons were like, their expectations, and if they’re excited for more lessons  (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up03:22 Games / Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review (Spoiler Free)57:40 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Spoilercast01:49:12 Not Games / Learning To Swim02:20:11 Poll of the Show02:30:05 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about their time with the Switch 2 so far! Janet wishes she could be playing more while Isaiah goes on a rant about Mario Kart World. They also talk about their Summer Game Fest 2025 highlights, from announcements at the live show to rapid fire thoughts from hands-on time with games (GAMES). Then they talk about going to see an LA Dodgers vs NY Mets game before SGF formally kicked on, their history with baseball, and finish with chatting through some recent pulls they had opening up some trading card packs (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up04:35 Games / Switch 2 Is Finally Here50:16 SGF Highlights01:12:56 Not Games / Dodgers vs Mets01:40:09 Trading Card Collecting02:02:08 Poll of the Show02:07:39 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about what it’s like when one hates a game the other loves, what it means to “Hate Finish” a game, and what do we know when the other likes/hates a game (GAMES). Then they play a new game of “Guess The Character”. They decide to make it a special “all pets” edition in honor of everything going on with their pet Bruce (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up (Google accounts mini-rant)07:05 Games / Loving games the other hates01:12:42 Not Games / Guess The Character (Pets Edition)01:33:32 Poll of the Show01:43:07 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about their Game of the Year contenders so far. From indie driving strategy games to wacky split-screen adventures, they go over what they think will ultimately make their Top 10 by the end of the year (GAMES). Then they talk about recent developments in Janet’s anime journey! They go over the recent shows they’ve tried, what worked, what didn’t, and initial thoughts on the latest show they’re diving into (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up (Bruce Updates)13:21 Games / Game of the Year Checkin01:25:36 Not Games / Anime Taste02:30:47 Poll of the Show02:32:29 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about their journey trying to secure a preorder for the Nintendo Switch 2. Then they talk about their time playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, what they like about it, what they wish was better, and their overall thoughts on the game so far (GAMES). Then they talk about one of the hottest movies in theaters right now, Sinners. Starting with spoiler-free discussions before going into full spoilers, they talk about why they think this movie is killing it in the box office, who they think it’s for, if it’s “too scary”, and ultimately if they think you should go see it (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up03:21 Games / Switch 2 Preorder Experience42:27 Clair Obscur Expedition 3301:16:09 Not Games / Sinners - Spoiler-free Discussion01:26:03 Sinners - Spoiler Discussion01:52:28 Poll of the Show02:05:37 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about all the latest info about the Nintendo Switch 2. They go over the price, launch window games, if its still a “must buy”, and even some of Janet’s hands-on experience. They then talk about the latest boat games they’ve been playing (strange coincidence) and Janet’s time with a pixel art city builder (GAMES). Then they talk about their unofficial sports filled week, getting their LA Galaxy MLS replica rings, going to their season ticket holder open practice session, and checking out their first NHL game with the LA Kings (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up01:27 Games / Switch 2 Thoughts41:53 What we’ve been playing01:00:37 Not Games / Unofficial Sports Week01:31:52 Poll of the Show01:36:59 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about what they’ve been playing. Isaiah recently finished Alan Wake II, Janet shares her thoughts on South of Midnight, and they both go over their time so far with the latest gaming craze Blue Prince and try to answer if this is a “dumb friendly” puzzle game (GAMES). Then they take turns having some fun doing blind rankings that the other has prepared for them (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up07:44 Games / What we’ve been playing7:56 Alan Wake II28:58 South of Midnight43:51 Blue Prince01:02:22 Not Games / Blind Rankings01:03:45 Places (Janet)01:16:43 Isaiah’s Albums (Isaiah)01:28:24 Fun Things To Do (Isaiah)01:36:38 Breakfast Cereal (Janet)01:52:25 Poll of the Show02:13:42 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about their various attempts at making the best dual gamer setup for them, what worked, what didn’t, and what their current setup is now (GAMES). Then they talk about how they use the app You Need A Budget (or “YNAB”) to better manage their money, pay off their debt, and save for the future (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up05:26 Games / Our Dual Gamer Setup46:31 Not Games / How We Budget Our Money (with YNAB)01:42:43 Poll of the Show01:47:29 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah take a drive up to San Francisco to go to the 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC), attend the Game Developer Awards, take a look at some Xbox indie games, and attend some amazing talks put on by industry friends and veterans  (GAMES). Then they talk about doing their first race of the year with the 2025 L.A. Chinatown Firecracker 10k, how prepared they were, and what their next running goals are (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:20 Games / GANG Gaming Time Capsule (Update)08:21 GDC 202501:10:43 Not Games / LA Chinatown Firecracker 10k01:55:32 Poll of the Show02:03:45 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah continue with part 4 of the “GANG Gaming Time Capsule”, coming together to choose games for the Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, PSVR, and Xbox One (GAMES). Then they reach into their mailbag and talk about their relationship with distance running, how they got into it, what their goals are, and tips and tricks they recommend for people looking to try the hobby (NOT GAMES).Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/pollTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:12 Games / GANG Gaming Time Capsule Pt 401:58:14 Not Games / Distance Running02:50:57 Poll of the Show02:56:00 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address Inbox@GamesAndNotGames.comFor more Games And Not Games:YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts:Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev