Post Games

Editor's Note: Hey Post Games listeners. To give myself a lighter load this holiday, I’m posting one of the monthly Patreon-exclusive episodes. The patrons selected the origin story of Pokémon. They think you’ll enjoy it, and I do, too!If you like this episode and want access to a backlog of bonus episodes and future bonuses, subscribe to Patreon.com/PostGames for $5. Next Monday, I’ll be posting the latest exclusive, “1996: The Most Important Year in Games,” featuring the co-hosts of My Life in Gaming!Get full show notes for free at www.post.gamesBefore Game Freak created Pokémon, it was a hand-stapled video game zine written by a crew of arcade-loving teenagers.Welcome to the debut episode of Past Games, the new Patreon-exclusive series dedicated to revisiting the stories behind classic games and gaming moments. Over the next few months, we’ll be flipping through dusty periodicals and dog-eared history books to learn more about 2026’s big gaming anniversaries.For this episode, I invited my buddy Brendon Bigley (Wavelengths, Into the Aether) to talk pocket monsters. I share the history of the biggest children’s entertainment icon since Mickey Mouse, and Brendon shares his experience of growing up alongside the rise of Pokémania.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get weekly bonus segments, video episodes, monthly exclusive episodes, and more at patreon.com/postgames for only $5Want full show notes? Visit www.post.gamesThis week on Post Games: the final listener mailbag of 2025!Act 1: Questions about video gamesAct 2: Questions about the industry and the culturePatreon bonus: Questions about the nitty-gritty of gamingAct 3: The news of the weekThis week, I emptied the Post Games mailbag and tried to answer as many questions as I could muster. The result is one of the longest episodes to date, with the AMA spanning three acts and over 60 minutes!Plus, a very special extended news of the week: I chatted with Phil Salvador from the Video Game History Foundation. The VGHF has preserved the Sega Channel, the 1990s predecessor to PlayStation Now and Xbox Game Pass. How the hell do archivists preserve such a thing? Listen to find out!Now, I’d say this is the final episode of 2025, but that’s not entirely true. Next week, I’ll be sharing a special Patreon-exclusive mini-episode, reflecting on my personal favorite games of the year, along with a few small surprises. But I’m getting ahead of myself!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Visit patreon.com/postgames to get bonus segments, early access, and exclusive monthly episodes like "The birth of Pokémon: 30 years ago, a young game critic imagined the biggest franchise on the planet" for $5Visit post.games to get full episodes for free, including links to all games and stories referenced in today's showThis week on Post Games: How video games and anime took over pop culture together.Act 1: Anime in your video gamesAct 2: Video games in your animePatreon bonus: The anime every gamer should watchAct 3: News of the WeekLast year, I helped oversee the first major national survey of anime consumption in the United States. Before the survey, I knew anime had achieved pop culture status, with characters from Dragon Ball appearing in Fortnite and musicians like Megan Thee Stallion wearing over a dozen anime cosplays. Even still, the numbers surprised me.Nearly half of Gen Z watches anime once a week. And a quarter of millennials. 44% of anime viewers have had a crush on an anime character. And 65% of anime viewers find the form more emotionally compelling than other forms of media. Anime fans claimed to watch for escape and comfort. But also for strength, a tool to prepare them for a big test or a challenging day at work.We ran this survey at Polygon, a site broadly focused on video games, because while games and anime are two different mediums, they have for decades influenced and elevated one another. And the line between the two is blurrier and blurrier, with shows inspiring games that inspire more shows.How did we get here?To find out, I reached out to Geoff Thew, the founder and host of the hit anime YouTube channel, Mother’s Basement.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oli Welsh, a senior editor and games journalist known for his insights on awards coverage, dives into the provocative history of The Game Awards. He reveals the transformation from the cringeworthy Spike VGAs to the present-day format, blending E3 reveals with awards. The discussion explores the ethical blur between advertisements and jury-voted awards, as well as the challenges of categorizing diverse game genres. Oli also predicts potential winners for 2025 and emphasizes the need for a broader jury perspective to elevate underrepresented games.

Get video versions of every episode, bonus segments, and monthly exclusives for $5 at patreon.com/postgamesGet free show notes at post.gamesThis week on Post Games, “Life Before and After Releasing Blue Prince”:Act 1: The Days Before Blue PrincePatreon bonus: The Magic site that made Blue Prince possibleAct 2: The Days Before The Game AwardsPatreon bonus: Blue Prince: The Movie? Blue Prince 2?Act 3: News of the WeekSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Austin Walker, a critic and co-host of Friends at the Table, shares his appreciation for Boshi's Place, an essential venue for indie and experimental game culture in Brooklyn. He discusses how this grassroots hub fosters community and creativity in the gaming scene. Walker's insights highlight the importance of local spaces in supporting game developers and enriching the player experience, proving that behind every great game is a vibrant, collaborative environment.

Piotr Surmacz, CEO of 3R Games and former game composer, dives deep into the captivating world of VR and the harrowing tale behind Nutty Putty Cave. He shares his emotional journey discovering the cave’s tragic history on YouTube, which inspired him to recreate it in VR. Discussing design choices, Piotr reveals how claustrophobic experiences evoke fear, and why players seek thrilling yet safe escapism. Plus, he explores the balance of horror and exploration in gameplay, aiming for a profound emotional reaction from players.

In this engaging chat, Joel Burgess, co-founder of indie studio Soft Rains and former lead designer at Bethesda, shares insights into launching their debut game, Ambrosia Sky. He discusses the challenges of founding an indie studio and the emotional rollercoaster of game release. Joel reveals the innovative non-gun combat design, the importance of feedback, and the decision to adopt an act-based release model. He also reflects on maintaining a humane workplace culture amidst industry stresses and the rewarding aspects of creating opportunities for other developers.

Ashley Bardhan, a noted games critic with a focus on horror, dives into why people are drawn to frightening games. She highlights the primal fears that horror taps into and contrasts the demographics of horror game enthusiasts with those of horror movie fans. Bardhan also discusses the therapeutic aspects of horror, sharing her own experiences with OCD and how exposure to fear can aid in recovery. With insights into gameplay mechanics and recommendations like the Silent Hill 2 remake, this conversation reveals the complex allure of horror in gaming.

Join video essayist Jacob Geller, known for his deep cultural analyses of video games, as he delves into the lasting impact of Shadow of the Colossus. They discuss how the game uniquely combines emotional weight with artistic ambition and has remained relevant for two decades. Jacob shares personal anecdotes about his first encounter with the game and how his passion for it launched his career. They also explore the moral complexities of the colossus fights and how music enhances the emotional experience, solidifying the game’s status as an artistic treasure.