The Game Deflators

In this episode, John and Ryan bring a fastball of nostalgia and digital reckoning to your speakers. The duo dives into EA’s announcement to shut down Anthem's servers in January 2026, dissecting the legacy of a game that promised big but struggled to soar. Then it's a deep-tech discussion as they unravel the silent killer behind your favorite handheld and console games—bit rot in SSDs affecting Nintendo 3DS, Vita, Switch, and even...

In this episode of the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan unpack an action-packed week in gaming with a lineup that spans kart racing chaos, collectible card surprises, corporate culture wins, and a splash of retro nostalgia. 

They kick things off with the wild new Sonic Racing CrossWorlds where iconic franchises like Minecraft, TMNT, and Avatar: The Last Airbender collide on the track. The conversation then shifts to cardboard ...

Strap in for a nostalgia-meets-news deep dive on this week’s episode of The Game Deflators! John and Ryan kick things off with a fresh batch of gaming pickups. Then it's time to roll initiative as the duo shares behind-the-screen updates from their latest Dungeons & Dragons campaign.

In the tabletop world beyond their own, the guys examine big moves from the Critical Role team as they bolster their crew for the launch of Dagger...

John and Ryan are back on the mics with sand in their shoes and cardboard in their backpacks, kicking things off with a roundup of their latest video game and Magic: The Gathering pickups—some gems and some regrets.

Then it's onto showcase season, where the duo dives into their most anticipated titles from the latest Xbox Showcase and Sony's State of Play. 

But not everything is sunny in hardware land. The guys break down the rumor...

This week on The Game Deflators Podcast, Ryan is joined by Jim Miller, the mastermind behind Crit Hit—Arizona’s premier tabletop convention! They kick things off by discussing their latest gaming pickups and what’s been keeping them glued to the table.

Jim then shares exciting updates on Crit Hit 7: Cosmic Calamity, revealing what attendees can expect at this year's event—from epic game sessions to stellar surprises. But that’s not...

This week, John and Ryan welcome Sean and Will from PlayStation Ain’t Dead for a gaming-packed discussion! The crew kicks things off by sharing their latest gaming pickups and what they've been diving into lately.

Then, the big debate: Will the Nintendo Switch 2 capture the same magic as its predecessor, or will casual gamers skip this one? The podcasters weigh in on the potential hurdles for Nintendo’s next-gen hybrid.

Next, a for...

In this episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dig into their latest video game pickups and some of the latest gaming news.

They kick off the news week with Pokémon TCG Pocket and its $1 billion milestone—can it maintain its momentum, or is the digital TCG market headed for a shake-up? The conversation then turns to Xbox’s future, with a big question looming—could the next generation of Xbox consoles be Microsoft’s la...

Join the Game Deflators podcast as John and Ryan kick things off by sharing their latest gaming pickups and video games they are currently playing; including Shadow the Tomb Raider and Risk of Rain 2. The conversation takes a turn as they break down the recent controversy surrounding Bungie allegedly using an artist's work without permission—what does this mean for corporate accountability in game development?

Next, the duo digs in...

John and Ryan are back with a Game Deflators Podcast episode breaking down the latest gaming and tech shake-ups. First up, they tackle Nintendo’s pricing strategy for the Switch 2—could tariffs and rising production costs lead to a price hike in the future?

Next, they explore Apple’s latest courtroom maneuver in its ongoing Epic Games legal battle, as the tech giant seeks to pause a ruling that could reshape the App Store landscape...

On this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan are joined by Killian Davies of AZ Stolas to discuss his latest one-shot adventure, Loo Loo Lunacy, and his upcoming Kickstarter projects. Inspired by the popular web series Helluva Boss, Loo Loo Lunacy takes players into the chaotic depths of Loo Loo Land, a devilish amusement park filled with danger, intrigue, and dark humor.

Killian shares insights into the publishing ...

Join John and Ryan on this week's episode of The Game Deflators Podcast as they dive into the intriguing world of Clair Obscur Expedition 33. Hear their thoughts on the The Last of Us Season 2, and explore the record-breaking success of the Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set, now the best-selling in history. Plus, don't miss their in-depth review of Chibi Robo for the GameCube, a hidden gem that deserves a closer look.

Want m...

In this episode, John and Ryan are joined by veteran artist and art director Dev Madan for an exclusive look behind the scenes of the video game industry. With 35 years of experience spanning video games, animation, and comics, Dev has worn many creative hats—serving as Art Director at Toys For Bob, Founder of Loose Cannon Studios, and Art Director at Sucker Punch Productions for the beloved Sly Cooper series.

Together, they explor...

In this week's episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into some of the hottest gaming news and controversies. First, they break down the latest PlayStation Plus price hikes affecting over 20 different countries, discussing what this means for gamers. Is the subscription service still worth the cost?

Next, they examine a recent study by Newzoo on video game microtransactions, exploring how in-game purchases shape ...

In this week's episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into the latest gaming drama: delays to the U.S. preorders of the Nintendo Switch 2. As American gamers grow restless, Japan takes a bold approach to curb scalping by introducing a Japan-exclusive Nintendo Switch 2—a strategy that could reshape global preorders. 

Fresh off his trip to the 2025 Game On Expo, John gives his in-depth review of the event—sharing h...

On this episode of the Game Deflators podcast John and Ryan break down the latest Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, covering all the biggest game reveals, pricing details, and new peripherals. From Mario Kart World to Elden Ring, they analyze what these titles mean for Nintendo fans.

Plus, they dive into the $449 price tag, new Joy-Cons, and whether the Switch Camera is a must-have or just another gimmick. Is the Switch 2 worth it, or shou...

Nintendo Direct discussion and a Game on Expo preview.

This week on the Game Deflators podcast John and Ryan dive into their recent gaming pickups, Dungeons and Dragons Campaign updates, and the highlights from the latest Nintendo Direct. But that's not all—Jim from the Game On Expo and Crit Hit Con team joins the show for an exciting interview. He shares insider details about the tabletop gaming area at Game On Expo and gives list...

In this week's exciting episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan delve into the future of gaming technology with a discussion on Sony's latest patent for controllers featuring solar charging. Could this be the eco-friendly breakthrough gamers have been waiting for?

The duo also tackles the growing challenges faced by the Steam Deck as it struggles to keep pace with the demanding specs of modern AAA games. Is the handheld powerh...

In this episode of The Game Deflators podcast, John is joined by Darren Hupke of Pixels and Polygons for a lively discussion on all things gaming. Together, they share their recent gaming pickups, dive into the world of underrated PlayStation games that deserve more love, and unpack thought-provoking comments from a former Sony executive on why video game remasters might just be a necessary evil.

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This week on The Game Deflators Podcast, John teams up with Will from PlayStation Ain’t Dead podcast. 

The duo dives into John's wild conspiracy theory surrounding a mysterious pallet of Rule of Rose PAL UK copies—where did they come from, and what does it mean for retro game collectors? They also discuss the latest buzz about Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, including expected the changes and features fans will see in the remake. 

Fina...