What are your favorite podcasts, video content creators, etc for gaming content?
I'm looking for some recommendations for things to listen to or casually watch to stay 'in the loop' on the standout games of the year, hear discussion of good games in general, feed my video game fan soul but not just about the newest latest thing.
I figured this group might know of good spots to look.
Yup, I do miss the "TGS Co-Optional Podcast" too. I'm still listening to "Cox & Crendor in the morning" but it's something of a nostalgia trip.
You could give "The Jeff Gerstmann Show" a try. He's been running a solo operation since he was fired from Giant Bomb last year. His insights into the video game industry are second to none, even though the solo act might not be to everybody's taste.
Oh man this comment sent me down a Totalbiscuit nostalgia rabbit hole.
I'm surprised that I can't find some of the stuff I thought I remembered... like, didn't he play some kind of battle royal game before fortnite and PUBG? I remember a specific clip of him and a buddy laughing their heads off as a poison smoke ring closed in on him (unarmed or just an axe or something) and another player (armed with a much better weapon) - and he wins by running into the smoke and bandaging.
Not sure if that was total biscuit but I know a lot of funniest videos from that time were usually him
Same I've searched and haven't found any. And he was such a strong advocate for quality PC ports too, which has also not been filled. He was great. And I discovered so many indies titles through his videos.
Skill Up is pretty much the only thing I watch regularly since TB sadly passed away. His weekly(ish) news roundup videos are an easy way to keep semi up with what's happening and if you have more free time I believe he's also involved in a podcast (Friends Per Second).
Jeff Gerstmann has a solo podcast now and it's really good for just general video came news/reviews and the latest in energy drink rankings. I've been a fan since the early Giant Bomb days and he still has the same energy he ever did.
If you don't recognize the name, he was the one that got fired from Gamespot back in the day for giving a game an average score when the publisher was advertising on the site. Loads of integrity.
Piggybacking off that, Nextlander is a great pod/crew as well. It's composed of 3 other folks that split off of Giantbomb. They have a good chemistry after 15+ years of working together and being in the industry. One word of caution, they're 40 something dudes, so it's a little more mellow than a lot of gaming personalities and prone to some pretty funny tangents that are not gaming related.
I gotta start listening to more Nextlander, but I don't have the time in my week for all the podcasts coming out. I wish they'd guest on each other's shows, I yearn for that Endurance Run Jeff and Vinny energy.
manyatruenerd is pretty much the only gaming youtuber I follow anymore. he's just so positive and always finds some good in a game (apart from redfall)
Triple Click is great! I think it fits what they're looking for. It is not a 'news' podcast, and will often have a sort of 'theme' for the week that covers older games too - but they do cover major news, have opinionated year-end lists etc.
One big reason why I like Triple Click is that at the end of their episodes, they have a short segment where they highlight something interesting each of them has played/read/watched in the past week. This is where they sometimes touch on lesser known indie gems (when they're not completely absorbed in one game), but it's also good for book/TV/movie recommendations if you're interested
Also as games journalists, they are up to date on the more corporate events and details so some of their topics can get pretty news-y but not often
I listen to a podcast called Get Played. It's more of a comedy podcast that talks about video games but they have a variety of segments that are very fun.
I've enjoyed Jesse Cox's 5 minute gaming news that are quick daily videos on what's going on in the gaming world. I was a huge Co-Optional Podcast fan and this has been slightly filling that void.
If you are ok Australians them Thumb Cramps is a good podcast. They cover new and old games, and they aren't afraid to give praise to unconventional games (star wars pod racer was game of the year for one host)
I've been really liking the Minnmax Podcast. They mostly do discussions about up and coming games they're excited about (either from trailers or sometimes they play pre release versions of games), but sometimes they talk about older games that they discovered recently.
On top of the tons of great suggestions, I'm a fan of Hardcore Gaming 101 which is basically the premise of a few dudes reviewing games that get recommended to them.
Or if you're into the collecting side, Collector's Quest is one of my favorite podcasts of any topic. Great and funny guys who get into the nitty gritty of collecting, prices as they change, and if you're into podcasts that aren't afraid to get sidetracked - they absolutely are kings of that.
I tend to prefer video essay and discussion formatted content, usually focusing on older RPGs and survival horror that I might not ever get around to. Lately, I've been watching Grimbeard, ThorHighHeels, MandaloreGaming, RagnarRox, and tangomushi.
Try out Iron Pineapple. Has a series dedicated to trying out dark souls style games on steam and gives them a fair chance/ quick review. He's an incredibly patient gamer! His elden ring gameplays are great too, with different challenges like no damage and no leveling runs.
https://youtube.com/@IronPineapple
These all have their own vibe and they're almost all not "solely" about games and game news, but these creators are my favorites generally in that realm:
I really enjoy Play, Watch, Listen by Alanah Pearce (works as a writer for Santa Monica Studios) with Mike Bithell(is a video game director with his own studio), Austin Wintory(is a video game music composer) and Troy Baker(that VA that is in everything). I know Troy Baker is a bit controversial, but I really love the insights they have on the gaming industry. It's really fun to listen to IMO