Spawn On Me with Kahlief Adams: A Video Game Podcast

What's good, y'all! Welcome back to episode 565 of Spawn On Me - we're officially back and kicking off 2026 right! I know it's been a minute since I've been in your ears consistently, but your boy has been in the trenches getting things together, and I'm excited to be back in Brookago with all of you beautiful people. This episode, we're diving deep into some real conversations about the gaming industry,...

We just got back from Los Angeles after spending several hours hands-on with Highguard, the new free-to-play raid shooter from Wildlight Entertainment, a studio led by developers with deep roots in games like Apex Legends and Titanfall.On paper, it is easy to dismiss Highguard as “another shooter,” especially in a crowded 2026 lineup. But after playing multiple full matches, sitting down with the design and product leads, and seein...

We are closing out 2025 with a double-feature episode packed with fresh tech and big game energy. First, we sit down with Napoleon Smith (CMO, Cubios) to break down the WowCube, a modern twist on the classic Rubik’s Cube that turns nostalgia into a fully loaded, interactive device, complete with games, apps, customization, and a real push into STEM learning.

Then we link up with Tom Eastman (President, Trinket Studios) to talk Battl...

We sit down with the head of the ESA, Stanley Pierre-Louis, to unpack the Power of Play 2025 report—what 24k+ players across 21 countries say about gaming’s impact. We also discuss their current policy mission and what it is like working with the current administration. Read the report here: https://www.theesa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PoP-2025-v10-web-spreads.pdf. the ESA

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We dig into the current state of the Xbox business and ask the big question: is this a good move or not for players, partners, and the platform’s future? Then we review two premium gamepads head-to-head: the Razer Raiju V3 Wireless Pro and the Scuf Valor Pro Wireless. We cover build quality, sticks and triggers, remap options, latency, battery life, and who each controller is for. Plus, what Xbox’s strategy signals for first-party ...

After 13 years, Ninja Gaiden 4 is finally here... and it's both exactly what we wanted AND a massive letdown. The combat is incredible, the gore is satisfying, and the challenge will test even veteran players. But the story? The characters? Absolutely lifeless.

In this review, I break down everything you need to know about Ninja Gaiden 4 - from the revolutionary Bloodbind Ninjutsu system to the brutal Master Ninja difficulty, an...

What is Keeper, and why is it already living rent-free in our heads? 👀 Lee Petty (Double Fine) pulls up to Brookago to talk craft—how Keeper’s vibe, rules, and art style work together, and how the team keeps things fair, surprising, and fun without spoilers. We talk design pillars, those “ohhh, I get it” moments, and why this project hits different if you love discovery.Chapters below. Tap in and roll with us:• Smash that sub on Y...

Battlefield 6 Review: Best Since BF4? In this review, I dig into why BF6’s multiplayer finally feels like Battlefield again. The return to four classic classes (Assault, Engineer, Support, Recon) brings clear squad roles, while a smart movement overhaul—including the much-praised drag-revive—keeps fights tactical and team-first. Launch content is strong, with nine maps across five theaters (yes, Operation Firestorm is back) that ro...

Acclaim is BACK! and we’re unpacking the strategy behind it. Director of Publishing and Partnerships Marc Anthony Rodriguez joins Spawn On Me to discuss how a classic brand can reintroduce itself to today’s players. We talk about the deals and partnerships that matter, what a modern publishing slate looks like, and how to honor Acclaim’s legacy while building something new.

Marc also walks through his career across the games industr...

Ghost of Yotei has been called everything from “the wokest samurai game ever” to a next-gen masterpiece. After spending 50+ hours with the game, here’s my spoiler-free review.In this episode, I’ll cover:

• The story setup of Atsu and her path as the Ghost of Yotei (without spoilers)
• How the game explores themes of vengeance, justice, and consequence
• Erika Ishii’s powerful performance and why it elevates the experience
• Gameplay evolut...

In this episode, we sit down with the team from Anima Interactive, the developers behind Take Us North — the narrative-driven survival game that’s been at the center of heated conversations online.

The creators share the real vision behind the project, how it was inspired by first-hand research and lived experiences, and why they believe games can build empathy around complex issues like migration.

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Join hosts Kahlief Adams and Cam Hawkins as we count down the Top 10 games from Gamescom 2025 that have us absolutely hyped! From surprise announcements to long-awaited sequels, we break down why these titles are dominating our must-play lists.

In this episode, we also dive deep into our hands-on previews and reactions to some of the games we've been playing, like Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree, the brutal action of W...

Join us on Spawn on Me as we sit down with the incredible Victoria Tran to uncover her latest must‑read—and learn how community management is evolving in 2025. Victoria breaks it all down with insight and practical wisdom. Whether you're building niche communities, hosting IRL meetups, or craving authentic connection in a digital world dizzied by automation—this interview is the compass you didn’t know you needed.

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We sit down with the creative minds behind Last Flag, the brand new 5v5 capture-the-flag shooter from Night Street. Hear directly from the team—and voice actor Eli Harris—about what makes this retro-inspired, game show-style shooter stand out. Plus, we dig into how Imagine Dragons made the leap from chart-topping musicians to launching a full-fledged game studio.Learn how this bold new project mixes music, mayhem, and multiplayer m...

In this episode of Spawn On Me, I sit down with Ben Kvalo, CEO of Midwest Games, to dive into what makes this new publishing label stand out in an ever-evolving industry. We explore the role of publishers in today’s market, the challenges indie developers face, and whether the gaming industry is oversaturated with too many titles.

Ben shares his thoughts on building sustainable careers for the next generation of developers, and the ...

In Episode 550 of Spawn on Me, host Kahlief Adams and guest host Cam Hawkins dive into the massive Xbox layoffs and the fallout from Summer Game Fest coverage we missed.Xbox Layoffs Recap: Dissecting Microsoft’s July 2nd cuts of approximately 9,000 jobs across Xbox and gaming studios including Rare, Initiative, Turn 10, ZeniMax, and King Barcelona. We also discuss the cancellation of major projects like Everwild and Perfect Dark.In...