As has become our podcast tradition, we end the hottest months with a discussion of big gaming news and a waiver wire for our Fantasy Gaming series. This summer news cycle was no different, with, most notably, a release date of September 4, 2025, for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Like, for real. After drafting Silksong for two years in a row with nothing to show for it and finally letting it go this year… I did not handle it well, as you’ll hear in today’s episode.

– Amanda Tien, Editor

The Punished Podcast Episode 20

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MP3 Download | Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Note: This episode contains swearing and plenty of shouting.

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Timestamps

• 0:00 – Introductions and Discussion: Close Combat, Far Combat, or Magic Combat?





• 7:15 – All the Big Gaming News from Summer 2025





• 29:08 – Year in Gaming So Far





• 41:45 – Fantasy Gaming Standings + League Lore





• 1:08:32 – Fantasy Gaming Waiver Wire





• 1:32:24 – What We’re Playing Now

Song Credits

• “Snake Theme” from Donkey Kong Bananza (2025), composed by Naoto Kubo





• “Ancient Sanctuary – Gestral Summer Party” from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025), composed by Lorien Testard





• “Gravity Bike” from Split Fiction (2025), composed by Gustaf Grefberg





• “Lace” from Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025), composed by Christopher Larkin

Fantasy Gaming Standings (Pre-Waiver Wire)

Need a visual guide as you listen to our Fantasy Gaming waiver wire pickups? Here’s a breakdown of the pre-waiver standings:

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Fantasy Gaming Standings (Post-Waiver Wire)

Curious how our waiver wire altered the fantasy landscape? We’ve crunched the numbers!

See how the dust settled, below:

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