UNBOXING: Play and Profit for the Gaming Curious
Laine Nooney, Joost van Dreunen
Joost crunches data. Laine rummages in archives. Together on UNBOXING, these two NYU professors unlock the secrets of the games business they share with their students and cover the games news for insiders and newbies alike. A weekly podcast for anyone curious about why games matter in today's economy, dropping every Friday. Logo by Moira Zhang, theeverdrift.cargo.site
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 5, 2025 • 59min
From Rockstar Chaos to the Game Awards Canon
GTA VI faces yet another delay, sending fans into a frenzy. The hosts delve into whether the game can maintain its countercultural edge amid Rockstar's recent controversies, including accusations of union-busting and hypocritical firings. They also preview the Game Awards, critiquing its spectacle-driven approach and calling for more recognition for unsung industry contributors. The omission of notable titles like Roblox raises questions about how the gaming canon is constructed. Join them as they explore the intersection of gaming, culture, and politics!
Nov 21, 2025 • 58min
Speculating Irresponsibly: Steam Machines, Saudi Money, and More!
Steam Machine crashes the console party. Ubisoft delays earnings & halts trading (!?) PLUS: Laine's thoughts on Sky Sports’ “Halo” disaster. Tune in! -- Never miss an update and listen to your favorite UNBOXING episodes wherever you get your podcasts -YouTubeSpotifyAppleFor the true fans, subscribe to our newsletter for weekly email updates and more!
Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 18min
GDC Is Dead––Long Live the Festival of Gaming
GDC gets a rebrand! PLUS: Laine’s inside look at GDC’s State of the Industry report. -- Never miss an update and listen to your favorite UNBOXING episodes wherever you get your podcasts -YouTubeSpotifyAppleFor the true fans, subscribe to our newsletter for weekly email updates and more!
Oct 31, 2025 • 1h 4min
Pod Friends: Mitu Khandaker & the Future of NYC Games
The EU’s Digital (Un)Fairness Act? PLUS: Pod Friends returns with Mitu Khandaker, the Associate Director of NYU Tandon’s new Game Design Future Lab, who will share her view on the future of games in NYC! For more on the Game Design Future Labs, check these links out:WebsiteInstagramLinkedIn--Never miss an update and listen to your favorite UNBOXING episodes wherever you get your podcasts - YouTubeSpotifyAppleFor the true fans, get weekly email updates by subscribing to our newsletter!
Oct 17, 2025 • 1h 11min
ESA’s Global Games Report Gets Graded
The ESA’s 2025 Global Games Report drops, and Laine + Joost have some thoughts.
Oct 3, 2025 • 53min
The $55 Billion Question: Are Games Geopolitical Assets Now?
EA acquired in a $55B Saudi-backed buyout––what this means both for the gay couple in The Sims and for our geopolitical landscape. PLUS: Xbox’s $1K handheld + what’s new at the Video Game History Foundation.
Sep 26, 2025 • 55min
“Pod Friends” with Colleen Macklin
What Trump’s $100K H-1B visa fee means for games. “Pod Friends” kick off w/ Colleen Macklin, fresh from the Game UX Summit. PLUS: Stone-skipping scandals (?!) + the benefits of regular student feedback (!!)
Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 14min
Back to School Pt. 2: What Our Students Are Playing
The long awaited student gameplay survey results revealed. PLUS: WNBA playoffs & Mario turns 40!
Sep 12, 2025 • 1h 11min
Zigging with Nintendo & Scrambling with Roblox
Nintendo’s Switch 2 smashes records & why they keep winning, then Roblox under fire... again! PLUS: the $80 game debate & student survey sneak peaks for next week!
Sep 5, 2025 • 1h 14min
Back to School Pt. 1: Teaching Games in 2025
Fall syllabi with final cuts revealed, then get a behind the scenes look at the annual gameplay habits survey. PLUS: Roblox doc w/ Chris Hansen? Yep, that’s a thing.
