The Game Deflators

The Game Deflators

The Game Deflators are a couple of gamers from Phoenix Arizona that are obsessed with video games dungeons and dragons, and all things nerdy. Check out their weekly episodes for gaming news, discussions and video game reviews.

Episodes

February 2, 2026 54 mins

On this week's Game Deflators podcast episode, John and Ryan are back with a packed lineup of gaming chatter, industry hot takes, and a double dose of Highguard discourse.

The episode kicks off with fresh gaming updates as the guys break down what they’ve been playing, what’s caught their attention.

From there, they dive into Highguard’s rocky reception, comparing its early reviews to other notoriously low‑rated titles. Is the crit...

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In this episode of the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed week of gaming chatter. They kick things off with their latest pickups and what’s been spinning in their consoles, including early impressions of the charming new adventure Plucky Squire. The conversation heats up as they break down the Xbox Developer Direct 2026, spotlighting standout announcements and examining how Ubisoft’s recent wave of project can...

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John and Ryan return with a jam‑packed conversation that swings from tabletop quiet spells to the wild frontiers of modern gaming culture. They kick things off by digging into why Dungeons & Dragons has been unusually silent in 2025, exploring the slowdown in new book releases and what it might mean for longtime fans.

From there, the discussion shifts to the trading‑card world, where the duo reacts to the surprising new policy ...

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John and Ryan return with a packed episode full of fresh pickups, tough gameplay impressions, and a look at the latest industry buzz. Ryan dives into his ongoing run through Returnal, breaking down the game’s relentless roguelike loops and the thrill of surviving its bullet‑hell chaos. John follows up with his experience playing Stellar Blade, sharing thoughts on its combat, pacing, and whether it delivers on its stylish promise.

T...

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In this episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed week of gaming chatter, starting with a look at their latest pickups. John reveals an unexpectedly massive haul of Dungeons & Dragons books, while Ryan contemplates purchasing a PlayStation Portal.

The conversation then shifts to industry news, where John and Ryan unpack reports of rising RAM costs and what that could mean for a potential PlayStatio...

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This week on The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed lineup of gaming chatter, industry trends, and a retro review that hits all the right notes.

They kick things off with their latest game pickups and what’s been dominating their playtime, setting the stage for a broader look at how modern gaming continues to evolve. From convoluted pre‑order bonuses to the growing mess of fragmented game editions, the duo bre...

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In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, hosts Jon and Ryan dive into their latest game pickups, including the cult favorite Sky Gunner and a stack of retro gaming books. They also share fresh updates from their Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, highlighting new character arcs, unexpected encounters, and the chaos their parties have stirred up.

From there, the conversation shifts to their favorite games of the year—what stood...

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In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan bring a packed agenda to the table. The duo kicks things off with fresh updates from their ongoing Strixhaven D&D campaign, sharing the latest twists, character antics, and how the story is evolving.

Looking ahead, they set their New Games Resolutions for 2026, laying out the titles they’re determined to play, backlog goals, and what they hope to accomplish as ...

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In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan discuss their recent game pickups and titles they are currently playing. The guys then delve into the topic of nostalgia in gaming, questioning whether classic titles hold up to modern standards. The conversation shifts to industry news, including Mark Cerny's thoughts on Legend of the Dragoon and the ongoing lawsuit between Tencent and Sony. Finally, they finish things o...

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In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan dive deep into the crossroads of creativity and commerce in the gaming industry. They explore how the Steam Machine’s pricing strategy could make or break its battle against heavyweights like the PS5, while reflecting on Dan Howser’s candid remarks about profit overshadowing innovation. The conversation shifts to the power of community and brand loyalty at gaming conventi...

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In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan team up with Will from PlayStation Ain’t Dead for a lively crossover. The crew dives into pickups ranging from classic PS1 gems to modern horror titles, while debating the quirks of collecting sealed games. John and Ryan also share their experiences with Cyberpunk 2077, Metal Gear Solid, and The Witcher.

The conversation heats up as the trio debates GameStop’s outrageous ...

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John and Ryan are back with another jam-packed episode covering the latest in gaming news, nostalgia, and industry trends. They kick things off by sharing their latest game pickups and games they are currently playing, before turning their attention to the newest updates and bans shaking up the Magic: The Gathering community. 

The conversation then shifts to Valve’s bold return to hardware with the Steam Machine, sparking debate ab...

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On this week’s episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan share the latest additions to their gaming collections before diving into what they’re currently playing—John continues his long trek through The Witcher, while Ryan experiences Metal Gear Solid for the very first time.

The duo then shift gears to industry news, discussing Nintendo’s recent revelation about the percentage of Switch 2 owners who upgraded from the or...

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In this episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan welcome special guest Barry Carenza from PM Studios! Barry dives into the exciting lineup of upcoming titles from PM Studios and gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how ESRB ratings are set up for video games—yes, there's more to it than just slapping a letter on the box.

The trio then tackles the latest legal drama surrounding Palworld, including updates on the Nintendo ...

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In this episode of The Game Deflators podcast, hosts John and Ryan unpack a wide range of gaming topics with their signature blend of insight and nostalgia. They kick things off by sharing their latest game pickups and current playthroughs, offering listeners a peek into what’s hot on their consoles right now.

The conversation takes a chilling turn as they revisit survival horror staples like Silent Hill and Dead Space, before divi...

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In this electrifying episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan sit down with legendary game designer and animator Brian Colin, the creative force behind arcade classics like Rampage and Arch Rivals. Brian takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the unpredictable early days of game development—described as the "Wild West" of the industry—and shares how a twist of fate launched his career in gaming.

From the explosi...

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This week on The Game Deflators, John and Ryan kick things off with their latest gaming pickups and a spoiler-filled discussion of Silent Hill f. The guys break down the ending and share whether it lived up to the series’ legacy—or left them scratching their heads.

Next, it’s on to Magic: The Gathering, where recent comments from Mark Rosewater have reignited debate around Universes Beyond. Is Hasbro enriching the game with crossov...

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In this episode of the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan share their hands-on impressions of Silent Hill f, discussing their current progress in the game and how its unsettling atmosphere and narrative twists are stacking up so far.  They also dive into industry-shaking rumors, including speculation that Xbox may be shifting away from console hardware to focus exclusively on cloud gaming, and the possibility of a new ad-support...

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In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive headfirst into the eerie world of Silent Hill f, sharing their early impressions and how the game’s unsettling progression is shaping up. But the horror doesn’t stop there—Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set is spinning a web of disappointment with weak pre-release numbers and sluggish sales.

The duo also tackles a major retail shake-up: Costco’s decision to pull al...

Mark as Played

In this episode of The Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan dive into a whirlwind of gaming topics. 

Starting with their latest Magic: The Gathering pickups and Ray's experience with the Spiderman pre-release. The duo then shares what they’ve been playing lately, with John visiting the gritty fantasy world of The Witcher 1 and Ryan eagerly exploring the atmospheric depths of Hollow Knight: Silksong. 

The conversation heats up as t...

Mark as Played

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