Afleveringen
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I know right? You’re taking in every word from that title and thinking: “how can these people be trans and ***not*** have played Celeste?!”
…and all we can say is, we’re sorry! We’re making up for it by playing it now (better late than never) and sharing our thoughts right here for you.
Also this week! Games are addictive again, Dragon Quest turns 40, Fable was delayed, somehow Witcher 3 returned, and we have a few hopes and predictions for the next month of game announcements.
A small note: I messed up my audio despite doing everything to not mess up my audio, so I had to use Adobe Podcast Enhance to fix it up and I sound a little different because of that… Oops!
00:00:00 - Intro
00:11:35 - What We’ve Been Playing
00:11:44 - No Man’s Sky
00:15:28 - Dragon Quest VII Reimagined
00:25:53 - Celeste
00:42:24 - News
00:56:16 - Summer Gaming / Not-E3 Predictions
This episode was recorded on May 30 and 31 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Lloyd: https://www.twitch.tv/lloyd_lloydster
Sources:
Access-Ability Summer Showcase 2026: https://access-ability.uk/2026/01/30/access-ability-summer-showcase-returning-for-2026/
Story-Rich Showcase: https://www.fellowtraveller.games/blog/story-rich-showcase-premiers-june-6
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/fable-has-been-delayed-to-2027/
https://bsky.app/profile/thewitcher.com/post/3mmt5gshsa22r
https://support.cdprojektred.com/en/witcher-3/pc/sp-technical/issue/2973/upcoming-changes-to-minimum-requirements-for-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op9YgXhjgNM
https://dq11.jp/s/pf/faq/en.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsYz_CVdowA
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/05/dragon-quest-monsters-the-withered-world-has-been-rated-for-switch-1-and-2
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This week we’re catching up on some headlines from during the podcast’s hiatus.
When I was doing show notes this week, I noticed that every headline seemed to come with some “good” news and some “bad” news, so we made a kind of game(ish) of it!
Amy-Lynn, Lloyd, and I pick from the good and bad news, choosing which we want to hear first. There’s headlines from PlayStation, Fallout, Bloodborne, Pokémon, and video game adaptation casting (Life is Strange and Sonic the Hedgehog 4).
00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:41 - News
00:06:14 - PlayStation
00:13:04 - Casting (Life is Strange and Sonic)
00:31:43 - Fallout
00:39:28 - Bloodborne
00:49:51 - Pokémon
This episode was recorded on May 20 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Amy-Lynn: https://www.instagram.com/amethystlylac
Lloyd: https://www.twitch.tv/lloyd_lloydster
Sources:
Twink Yoshi: https://x.com/nintendoamerica/status/2055317658015322471
https://bsky.app/profile/jasonschreier.bsky.social/post/3mm5jzsls5s2a
https://x.com/PlayStation/status/2056404450793938989
https://blog.playstation.com/2026/05/20/state-of-play-returns-tuesday-june-2/
https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/life-is-strange-series-maisy-stella-tatum-grace-hopkins-1236678032/
https://pridesource.com/article/how-maisy-stellas-own-queerness-enriches-her-performance-in-my-old-ass
https://x.com/gingriich/status/2028892100478288114?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/life-is-strange-tv-series-karyn-kusama-director-1236692403/
https://variety.com/2026/film/news/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-cast-keanu-reeves-idris-elba-1236692974/
https://toynewsi.com/14-62286
https://www.reddit.com/r/Fallout/comments/1rps0nv/fallout_3_remastered_seemingly_confirmed_via_new/?share_id=oFdPnZBfhPJ8xYdj8A1j1&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/03/fallout-support-studio-insists-its-not-teasing-another-game
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/bloodborne-is-officially-returning-as-an-r-rated-animated-movie/
https://www.ign.com/articles/the-pokemon-company-is-already-considering-a-future-where-the-total-number-of-pocket-monsters-available-hits-maybe-10000
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Amy-Lynn and Lloyd join me this week to discuss what we’ve been playing, which is quite sim heavy! Games include Pokémon Pokopia, Leafy Corner, and Retro Rewind.
For the news, we’re discussing an older headline: The Last of Us Season 3 finds its actor for Lev and… well, let’s just say they didn’t cast a trans masc actor like we all hoped.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:13 - What We’ve Been Playing
00:06:21 - Pokémon Pokopia
00:21:09 - Leafy Corner (Demo)
00:33:25 - Retro Rewind
01:06:30 - News (The Last of Us Casting)
This episode was recorded on May 12 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Amy-Lynn: https://www.instagram.com/amethystlylac
Lloyd: https://www.twitch.tv/lloyd_lloydster
Sources:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ebay-rejects-unsolicited-proposal-from-gamestop-302769000.html
https://deadline.com/2026/03/the-last-of-us-michelle-mao-yara-kyriana-kratter-lev-1236761572/
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We’re back, True Avatars!
Ekamy and Lloyd join me for this mildly revamped version of the podcast, which has a greater focus on games discussion and less focus on news. What’s in store for the future? Just how scaled back is news? Where are the special segments? The changes aren’t as drastic as they might seem, so please listen for all the details!
This week we talk about a few modern classics, the quality level of the latest Life is Strange, and the Switch version of the Tomodachi Life sim game.
Plus, we do have a couple news stories: GameStop is buying eBay…? And the Bank of America wants you to pay a lot of money for GTA 6 to save the games industry.
Please note that this episode was recorded before Nintendo announced their price increases!
00:00:00 - Intro
00:10:18 - What We’ve Been Playing
00:10:36 - Trace Memory (Another Code)
00:20:43 - Psychroma
00:29:59 - Homodachi Life: Living the Dream
00:42:26 - Dustborn
00:51:07 - Neverway Demo
01:01:26 - Life is Strange: Reunion (Double Exposure SPOILERS)
01:13:25 - News
This episode was recorded on May 5 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Ekamy: https://www.twitch.tv/ekamy
Lloyd: https://www.twitch.tv/lloyd_lloydster
Sources:
https://investor.gamestop.com/news-releases/news-details/2026/GameStop-Proposes-to-Acquire-eBay-at-125-00-Per-Share/
https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/04/business/gamestop-buys-ebay-intl
https://www.ign.com/articles/video-game-industry-would-have-difficulty-selling-games-for-80-if-gta-6-cost-70-bank-of-america-says?utm_source=twitter
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Sorry for the late episode this week, True Avatars! I am traveling again but there is a lot of queer game stuff happening these days, thankfully.
This week’s headlines include Stardew Valley’s 10th anniversary (with new marriage candidates), Overwatch has a new (mobile) spin-off, Until Then has DLC (with trans rep), Wolverine has a release date, eSports are coming to the Gay Games, and a pretty big update about the Discord age verification scandal.
Pokémon just reached its 30th anniversary and they had tons of news to share in their Direct-style live stream. Amy-Lynn and Nicole are back to discuss it all, including the new games: Winds and Waves!
00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:21 - News
00:35:17 - Pokémon Turns 30 and Announces Winds and Waves
This Pokémon segment was recorded on Feb 27 2026 and the news segment was recorded on March 2 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Amy-Lynn: https://www.instagram.com/amethystlylac
Nicole: https://www.instagram.com/nicoletyngs
Sources:
https://fortune.com/2026/02/24/discord-peter-thiel-backed-persona-identity-verification-breach/
https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/discord-delays-its-global-age-verification-rollout-and-cuts-ties-with-peter-thiel-backed-verification-vendor-after-upsetting-almost-everyone-on-earth-weve-made-mistakes/
https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24244645/development-update-overwatch-rush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geiTg6Z7w3A
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playstation-finally-confirms-marvels-wolverine-release-date-and-its-coming-before-gta6/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7GI-k5Gqnw
https://cogconnected.com/2026/02/until-then-is-getting-the-afterimages-dlc-later-this-year/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/uk-retailer-game-closes-all-standalone-stores-as-it-enters-administration
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-02-27/sony-s-bluepoint-pitched-bloodborne-remake-before-closure?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3MjIyMjY3OSwiZXhwIjoxNzcyODI3NDc5LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUQjRWUTJLR0NURlowMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.s6maZIveh-F152mZBWUNjPFeE0Lm7AFRegwaizQvVlA&leadSource=uverify%20wall
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/eas-skate-studio-confirms-layoffs-as-it-moves-to-better-support-the-games-long-term-future/
https://www.gamefile.news/p/tencent-timi-montreal-closed
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/games-media-set-for-more-layoffs-as-ign-owned-eurogamer-cuts-editorial-staff/
https://checkpointgaming.net/news/2026/02/valve-sued-by-new-york-attorney-general-for-promoting-illegal-gambling/
https://bsky.app/profile/kemowoomy.bsky.social/post/3mfqenszzxk2l
https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-sues-game-developer-promoting-illegal-gambling-through
https://gaymingmag.com/2026/02/gg-valencia-the-gay-games-welcomes-esports-to-the-quadrennial-event-for-the-first-time/
https://www.gaygames.org/
https://www.ign.com/articles/saudi-owned-rts-takes-full-ownership-of-evo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh2WcRJOVPU
https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/see-the-new-trailer-for-pokemon-winds-and-pokemon-waves-coming-to-nintendo-switch-2
https://x.com/SerebiiNet/status/2027436478591103269?s=20
https://serebii.net/news/2026/27-February-2026.shtml
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/pokemon-pokopia/
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Steam Next Fest is back and Ekamy, Cleo, and I checked out 6 (or more…?) very exciting queer game demos!
00:00:00 - Intro and What We’ve Been Eating
00:04:36 - Fishbowl
00:12:40 - Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery
00:18:27 - Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts
00:24:04 - I'm Making a Monster
00:35:02 - The Witch's Bakery
00:45:06 - 1348 Ex Voto
00:53:15 - The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish
This episode was recorded on February 25 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Ekamy: https://www.twitch.tv/ekamy
Cleo: https://www.instagram.com/cleostrophobia
Demos:
Fishbowl: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1638070/Fishbowl/
Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2945150/Feline_Forensics_and_the_Meowseum_Mystery/
Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3119540/Scriptorium_Master_of_Manuscripts/
I'm Making a Monster: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4047160/Im_Making_a_Monster/
The Witch's Bakery: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2967950/The_Witchs_Bakery/
1348 Ex Voto: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1895900/1348_Ex_Voto/
The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3172760/The_Wide_Open_Sky_is_Running_out_of_Catfish/
All Will Rise: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3165340/All_Will_Rise/
Moorage: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4178140/Moorage/
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It’s an episode jam-packed full of controversy, drama, and discourse! Where to begin?
Well, there’s lots of good news! Pokémon’s 30th anniversary is already in full swing, Sonic 4 has found its Amy voice, and This Bed We Made is getting a sequel.
But there were more layoffs, AI is gaining ground in the games industry, and the RAM shortage impacts are felt even more. And what else could go wrong? Since you asked, Yakuza Kiwami 3 removed a pro-trans storyline…
In the second half, I’m joined by Devona to discuss the Discord age verification news. What does it all mean? How worried should we be? Is there even a good alternative?
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:41 - What We’ve Been Playing
00:11:56 - News
00:53:14 - Discord Age Verification Controversy
01:38:06 - Queer Game of the Week: Monster Prom
The news segment was recorded on February 21 2026 and the Discord segment was recorded on February 22 2026..
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Devona: https://www.twitch.tv/heldevo
Sources:
https://x.com/pokemon/status/2024757682851233891
https://x.com/pokemon/status/2024756120313807015
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sonic-4-kristen-bell-voice-amy-rose-1236508342/
https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jim-carreys-dr-robotnik-return-in-sonic-4-gets-a-major-update/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/yakuza-kiwami-3-dark-ties-review/
https://www.thegamer.com/yakuza-3-remastered-transphobic-sidequest-removed/
https://www.resetera.com/threads/yakuza-kiwami-3-cuts-the-original-games-trans-acceptance-substory-that-was-originally-removed-for-the-west-but-added-back-in-later-with-the-remaster.1430275/
https://www.reddit.com/r/yakuzagames/comments/1r0wgdn/people_focusing_on_the_removed_trans_substory/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/stardew-valleys-new-update-for-nintendo-switch-2-is-now-live
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/stardew-valley-creator-teases-two-more-marriage-candidates-for-update-1-7
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/bethesda-releases-skyrim-update-1-2-for-switch-2-includes-60hz-mode-and-much-more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Ga_cAccQg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoInIGhXHYY
https://www.nintendo.com/jp/switch/blfga/index.html?modal=1
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/destiny-2-fans-face-long-wait-as-bungie-delays-and-overhauls-next-major-update/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/steam-deck-is-out-of-stock-in-the-us-as-valve-warns-of-intermittent-memory-and-storage-shortages/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-is-considering-holding-back-playstation-6-until-2028-or-2029-report-claims/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/huge-xbox-shakeup-phil-spencer-retiring-sarah-bond-resigns-microsoft-ai-boss-becomes-new-microsoft-gaming-ceo/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/numerous-video-game-company-share-prices-dropped-following-googles-project-genie-ai-rollout/
https://www.ign.com/articles/tunic-night-in-the-woods-publisher-says-tiktok-is-creating-and-running-racist-genai-ads-for-its-games-without-permission
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xcoms-jake-solomon-announces-his-new-studio-is-closing-reveals-now-cancelled-ai-driven-narrative-game/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/midsummer-studios/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-confirms-layoffs-at-toronto-studio-but-insists-splinter-cells-remake-is-still-coming/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/sony-is-shutting-down-the-playstation-studio-bluepoint?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3MTUyNzAyNiwiZXhwIjoxNzcyMTMxODI2LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUQVBZWlBLR0lGUFkwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.utABYnI4m_K6kqNqybZarBQ9T5WW_aWCH6NI3kt8Q64
https://kotaku.com/sony-email-bluepoint-hermen-hulst-studio-closing-why-2000671437
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAbyOXDwRXM
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/assassins-creed-shadows-claws-of-awaji-expansion-lands-switch-2-release-date
Lost & Found: A This Bed We Made Story: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4333200/Lost__Found_A_This_Bed_We_Made_Story/
https://x.com/lowbirthgames/status/2024625302815518790
https://www.theverge.com/tech/875309/discord-age-verification-global-roll-out
https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service
https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/oh-good-discords-age-verification-rollout-has-ties-to-palantir-co-founder-and-panopticon-architect-peter-thiel/
https://www.pcgamer.com/software/security/security-researchers-claim-persona-the-provider-behind-discords-uk-age-verification-experiment-performs-269-individual-verification-checks-on-user-data-including-those-for-terrorism-and-espionage/
https://mashable.com/article/age-verification-may-impede-on-adults-rights-study-suggests
Ring Lost Dog Superbowl Ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OheUzrXsKrY
https://www.reddit.com/r/discordapp/comments/1r05vkj/comment/o4j5nl1/?context=3
https://discord.com/press-releases/discord-launches-teen-by-default-settings-globally#age-assurance-clarification
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I took a week off from recording and during that time, there were so many queer game announcements that it’s gonna take me an hour to get through them all! We’ve got Final Fantasy, Diablo, Overwatch, Horizon, Hollow Knight, Oblivion, Fallout, and… Thomas the Tank Engine…?!
In the second half, Cleo joins me for our long overdue discussion of the off-the-wall rhythm game UNBEATABLE. Was the game actually beatable after all? Cleo gives us all the details (including a dose of spoilers in the last 10 minutes)!
00:00:00 - Intro
00:10:51 - News
01:02:41 - UNBEATABLE
01:28:34 - SPOILERS for UNBEATABLE
The news segment was recorded on Feb 16 2026. The UNBEATABLE segment was recorded on January 28 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Cleo: https://www.instagram.com/cleostrophobia
Sources:
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/den-of-wolves-studio-10-chambers-confirms-large-number-of-layoffs-including-several-co-founders/
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alex-graner-a37262114_alex-graners-resume-activity-7427480816940892161-hmDh/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/designer-claims-most-of-highguards-dev-team-have-been-laid-off-weeks-after-launch/
https://www.polygon.com/ubisoft-strike-workers-france-italy/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/overwatch-is-dropping-the-2-adding-10-new-heroes-and-coming-to-switch-2-in-major-revamp/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/we-agree-that-she-can-be-even-better-overwatch-director-vows-to-redesign-anran-following-player-and-voice-actor-backlash/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/france-gives-28-clair-obscur-developers-a-knighthood-and-says-video-games-have-reached-a-new-level-of-recognition/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/clair-obscur-expedition-33-wins-five-awards-at-the-d-i-c-e-awards-2026-including-game-of-the-year/
https://deadline.com/2026/02/baldurs-gate-3-tv-show-craig-mazin-hbo-1236710583/
https://deadline.com/2026/02/jason-momoa-helldivers-release-date-1236715868/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JubgL46Xkmk
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playstation-and-guerrilla-announce-tactical-co-op-horizon-game-horizon-hunters-gathering/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88Ym9SCKFpc
https://www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/hollowknightupgraded
https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-2-games/Granblue-Fantasy-Relink-Endless-Ragnarok-3017587.html?srsltid=AfmBOorhQ3-uZMqM7eIViFQbSYBIcz5otAFbrhK6pxKj9UoBleVhUWBe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tnOYh_jIZ0
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3839790/Granblue_Fantasy_Relink__Endless_Ragnarok_Upgrade_Kit_Standard_Edition/
https://x.com/Borderlands/status/1970609156936868102
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGdFBim7nYY
https://www.konami.com/games/darwins_paradox/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/fromsoftware-owner-reiterates-duskbloods-is-still-coming-this-year-exclusive-to-nintendo-switch-2/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/01/psa-apex-legends-switch-version-shutting-down-this-august
Diablo 30th Anniversary Stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnAsWN-6hvw
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/diablo-2-gets-its-first-new-class-in-25-years-as-diablo-4-director-promises-players-will-freak-out-at-whats-coming/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/valve-confirms-steam-machine-price-and-release-details-have-been-delayed-by-exploding-component-prices/
Valve release date schedule (Valve time): https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Valve_Time
https://www.wondersofsodor.com/gb
https://x.com/cartycinema/status/1880062136766067108?s=20
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Nintendo fulfilled its promise to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life, but they didn’t stop there! Just how queer is the new Nintendo wacky life-sim? We’ve got all the big gay details!
Lloyd joins me for this episode in which we also discuss the first steps into our Celeste journeys, plus the news, and finally a discussion about generative AI in video games.
Headlines include game developers reportedly *maybe* skipping the Game Developer Conference, a bold industry response to the Ubisoft layoffs/restructuring, and Scott Pilgrim EX has a release date.
Please note that our connection was a bit weaker than usual so there is a bit of a delay between some of mine and Lloyd’s discussion. Sorry about that, True Avatars!
00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:06 - What We’ve Been Playing
00:38:18 - News (incl. Tomodachi Life)
01:15:49 - Generative AI in Video Games
This episode was recorded on January 30 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Lloyd: https://www.twitch.tv/lloyd_lloydster
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_0kl1WiSPg
https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/71317/
https://gamerant.com/gdc-2026-ice-concerns-us-safety-fears-dev-comments/
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gdc-organiser-says-it-hasnt-seen-cancellations-from-overseas-visitors-attendance-tracking-in-line-with-expectations
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-proposes-to-cut-18-of-workforce-at-france-headquarters-as-part-of-major-reset-plan/
https://insider-gaming.com/ubisoft-employee-suspension/
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-it-s-time-for-real-accountability-ubisoft-unions-call-international-strike?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/wario64.bsky.social/post/3mdgfmwvhtf2y
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/01/scott-pilgrim-ex-brings-more-beat-em-up-action-to-switch-in-march
https://www.polygon.com/gaming/604420/scott-pilgrim-ex-new-game-release/
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/simoncarless_interestingly-pc-video-game-platform-steam-activity-7417944215675908096-OGNg/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/valve-has-significantly-rewritten-steams-rules-for-how-developers-much-disclose-ai-use/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/google-rolls-out-prototype-of-project-genie-an-ai-tool-which-generates-playable-worlds/
https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-centers-and-water-consumption
https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/artificial-intelligence-types
https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/computer-vision
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Hosting solo again and covering a big week of queer game reveals: Life is Strange: Reunion, 1348 Ex Voto, and possibly even Fable.
There was a bunch of Mario news (including trans reps in the new movie), Warframe is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 very soon, the PS6 might be delayed, Ubisoft is laying off even more people, and so much more!
00:00:00 - Intro and What We’ve Been Playing
00:03:17 - What I’ve Been Playing
00:10:41 - News
Mild spoilers for the ending of Life is Strange: Double Exposure
This episode was recorded on January 25 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Sources:
https://youtu.be/b2eHeCKYHJc?t=1806
https://www.youtube.com/live/hXn6bvU1Kh4
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/fables-evil-landlords-wont-grow-devil-horns-as-reboot-ditches-classic-character-morphing-due-to-a-lack-of-belief-in-objective-arseholery
https://1348exvoto.com/
https://x.com/1348ExVoto/status/2014714742108024903?s=20
https://www.gematsu.com/2026/01/1348-ex-voto-launches-march-12-for-ps5-and-pc-xbox-series-version-canceled
https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-cancels-6-projects-including-prince-of-persia-sands-of-time-remake-closes-2-studios-and-confirms-further-layoffs-in-major-company-restructure
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ubisoft-stockholm/
https://www.reddit.com/r/PS5/comments/1qk6qd6/rumor_sandstoneinsights_analysis_sony_expects_the/?share_id=jwMnzRpiBdD8gCbT0PdXG&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1
https://www.digitalextremes.com/news/january-warframe-devstream-highlights
https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/free-update-for-mario-kart-world-lets-you-race-as-a-team-in-knockout-tour/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVB3hZoOF0A
https://youtu.be/yP5RGz_CRFM
https://x.com/USJ_Official/status/2014203076266348758
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Ekamy and I dive into the strange queer game phenomenon: the Lesbian Plot Twist™. Isn’t it a little odd that so many gaymes prefer a mid-game “she’s actually a lesbian” surprise? Spoilers abound (see below).
We also discuss the news (including updates on the Life is Strange 5 and Sims 4 leaks, some queer games are being delisted, layoffs, and anniversaries), what we’ve been playing, and Queer Game of the Week!
00:00:00 - Intro
00:12:06 - What We’ve Been Playing
00:16:40 - News
00:47:37 - The Lesbian Plot Twist
01:23:58 - Queer Game of the Week: Of the Devil
SPOILER WARNING: Gone Home, Unpacking, This Bed We Made, The Last of Us Part I - Left Behind DLC, Life is Strange 1, Lock & Key, A Normal Lost Phone, Another Lost Phone, Tacoma
This episode was recorded on January 18 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Ekamy: https://www.twitch.tv/ekamy
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2eHeCKYHJc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rsi1cN3O48
https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news/the-values-that-shape-the-sims
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-sims-studio-says-its-values-are-unchanged-including-inclusivity-as-eas-saudi-takeover-progresses/
https://x.com/accidentalq/status/1998069196224385420
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/meta-has-closed-several-studios-including-splosion-man-studio-twisted-pixel-and-asgard-wraths-sanzaru-games/
https://aftermath.site/meta-layoffs-camouflaj-batman-arkham-shadow/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-hits-the-division-and-avatar-studio-massive-entertainment-with-layoffs/
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-shuttering-freshly-unionised-halifax-studio-71-jobs-affected
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendos-share-price-has-dropped-33-in-the-last-five-months-in-japan/
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4le852wgeo
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sega-announces-sonic-35th-anniversary-plans-to-celebrate-sonics-legacy/
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I said I wasn’t gonna record a new episode this week, and then the Life is Strange: Reunion leak was just far too juicy to ignore. So I took the opportunity to also cover some older news stories I missed during December.
This week is a little shorter because it’s just me and it’s only the headlines. Other news includes Netflix buying Warner Bros and significantly undervaluing its games division, Fortnite is collaborating with She Who Must Not Be Named to offer Harry Potter cosmetics, more video game adaptations are coming to the big and small screens, and Sims 4 might have a new expansion coming soon.
PLUS, if you somehow missed it, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – remember that indie darling? – got DISQUALIFIED from winning one of its many Game of the Year awards (and that same awards show snubbed most of its queer nominees).
00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:42 - News
SPOILERS for the ending of Life is Strange and mild spoilers for ending of Life is Strange: Double Exposure
This episode was recorded on January 10 2026.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Sources:
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/a-rating-has-leaked-an-unannounced-life-is-strange-sequel-with-strong-language-and-drug-use/
https://www.gematsu.com/2017/09/esrb-rates-grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-vice-city-stories-max-payne-2-midnight-club-3-ps4
https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/s/FiwgBXORSD
https://x.com/NateTheHate2/status/2009691766191165501
https://larian.com/news/divinity-original-sin-2-is-now-available-on-switch-2-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-s_147
https://productionlist.com/filming-may-frederick-e-o-toye-direct-upcoming-series-fallout-season-3-santa-clarita-ca-united-states/
https://www.inverse.com/gaming/fallout-season-2-jonathan-nolan-interview-phil-spencer-xbox
https://screenrant.com/fallout-season-2-filming-wrap-ella-purnell-bts-photo/
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/sonic-spinoff-movie-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-live-action-film-2028-release-dates-1236596459/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/helldivers-movie-justin-lin-sony-1236438370/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/01/toby-fox-shares-development-update-on-deltarune-chapter-5
https://twistedvoxel.com/stardew-valley-shadow-drops-on-switch-2-with-free-upgrade/
https://x.com/concernedape/status/2006079498849247743
https://x.com/ConcernedApe/status/2006086790311272546
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/12/fortnite-dragged-for-collaboration-with-jk-rowling-after-canceling-pride-celebration/
https://kotaku.com/netflix-warner-bros-games-batman-harry-potter-deal-2000651695
https://www.indiegameawards.gg/
https://insider-gaming.com/indie-game-awards-disqualifies-clair-obscur-expedition-33-gen-ai/
https://www.reddit.com/r/expedition33/comments/1prr5f6/sandfall_clarifications_about_their_use_of_genai/ (post was removed a day after I double checked it, but the paywalled source from the reddit user is the next URL)
https://english.elpais.com/culture/2025-07-19/the-low-cost-creative-revolution-how-technology-is-making-art-accessible-to-everyone.html
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/battlefield-head-infinity-ward-co-founder-and-respawn-ceo-vince-zampella-has-died/
https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/01/08/xbox-developer-direct-2026/
https://simstime.net/2026/01/04/confirmado-the-sims-4-legado-realeza-e-a-proxima-expansao/
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Cleo and Lloyd are back, and together we break down all the queer games scheduled for 2026! There’s tons of indies and AAAs, plus a whole bunch of non-queer games we’re excited for too!
But we don’t know everything that’s coming out next year; we also make some bold predictions for games (and where the industry might be heading).
Let’s find out what queer gaming is going to look like in 2026!
00:00:00 - Intro
00:09:23 - Looking Ahead to 2026
SPOILERS for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (and the original Tomb Raider)
This episode was recorded on December 18 2025.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Cleo: https://www.instagram.com/cleostrophobia/
Lloyd: https://www.twitch.tv/lloyd_lloydster
Queer indies highlighted:
Usual June: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2702430/Usual_June/
Interplanetary Love Guide: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3390210/_Interplanetary_love_guide/
Hedgehog’s Dilemma: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3192120/Hedgehogs_Dilemma/
Monster Gal’s Voyage: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3743860/Monster_Gals__Voyage/
BrokenLore: Unfollow: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2133830/BrokenLore_UNFOLLOW/
Steel Century Groove: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1858950/Steel_Century_Groove/
Laugh Track: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3765430/Laugh_Track/
Scarlet Hollow Episode 5: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1609230/Scarlet_Hollow/
Key Fairy: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2878580/Key_Fairy/
Dead in Antares: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2511800/Dead_in_Antares/
Coffee Talk Tokyo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3161220/Coffee_Talk_Tokyo/
The Wide Open Sky is Running Out of Catfish: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3172760/The_Wide_Open_Sky_is_Running_out_of_Catfish/
Lap of the Gods: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3138230/Lap_of_the_Gods_A_Visual_Novel/
Building Relationships: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2666920/Building_Relationships/
Frame of mind: a game of thoughts.: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2515480/Frame_of_Mind__A_game_of_thoughts/
Hungry Horrors: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3048840/Hungry_Horrors/
Find this Pixel Anomaly: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3290400/Find_This_Pixel_Anomaly/
Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2945150/Feline_Forensics_and_the_Meowseum_Mystery/
High Times - Dating/Cooking Sim: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2251220/High_Times__DatingCooking_Sim/
Neo Junk City: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2378230/Neo_Junk_City/
Messy Hearts: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3892820/Messy_Hearts/
Paralives: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1118520/Paralives/
Sucks To Be In The Sticks: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3665100/Sucks_To_Be_In_The_Sticks/
Neverway: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2318330/Neverway/
Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix (technically not indie): https://store.steampowered.com/app/3509140/Fear_Effect_2_Retro_Helix/
IKUMA: The Frozen Compass: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1728620/IKUMA__The_Frozen_Compass/
Scott Pilgrim EX: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2640950/Scott_Pilgrim_EX/
Dosa Divas: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2950710/Dosa_Divas/
Cyber Paradise: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2431790/Cyber_Paradise/
WILL: Follow the Light: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3144860/WILL_Follow_The_Light/
Banned Together: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3551960/Banned_Together/
Love in the Time of Spellphage: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3825300/Love_in_the_Time_of_Spellphage/
Virtue and a Sledgehammer: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3743260/Virtue_and_a_Sledgehammer/
Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3256150/Moomintroll_Winters_Warmth/
Sources:
https://www.ign.com/articles/after-a-relatively-quiet-the-game-awards-microsoft-says-it-has-a-packed-xbox-developer-direct-coming-in-january-2026
https://bsky.app/profile/anniemay.bsky.social/post/3ma6wi5kfvc2g
https://bsky.app/profile/unburntwitch.com/post/3ma4ozsue5c22
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/hardware-sales-and-physical-game-spending-in-the-us-just-had-the-worst-november-in-30-years/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/global-games-revenue-in-2025-is-expected-to-grow-7-5-compared-to-last-year-analysis-suggests/
https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-18/sony-s-naughty-dog-studio-orders-employee-overtime-on-intergalactic?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc2NjA4NTY0MSwiZXhwIjoxNzY2NjkwNDQxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUN0hDRFNLR0lGUEUwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.jGluGdyZVa1EEBKJKLlY2aRo0tCwewmOk2TBd_9y2Iw
-
2025 is almost over and I’ve invited Zoe, Ekamy, and Lloyd on to discuss our favourite moments from the year, as well as the many scandals.
This is also a much more conversational and laid back discussion than most episodes, a kind-of “party” vibe, so join us for a laugh or two!
00:00:00 - Intro
00:12:57 - 2025 Year in Review
This episode was recorded on December 16 2025.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Zoe: https://bsky.app/profile/zoeleet.bsky.social
Ekamy: https://www.twitch.tv/ekamy
Lloyd: https://www.twitch.tv/lloyd_lloydster
Sources:
Pixel art video Zoe mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC-8y2R6IxI
https://x.com/LenteGameDev/status/1991473653771599957?s=20
The many podcasts we recorded throughout this year! :)
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 cleaned up at the Game Awards and a certain queer actor took home Best Performance (while mentioning her girlfriend in the acceptance speech to boot).
Several other awards went to queer games and there was a nice handful of queer and queer-adjacent game announcements.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:51 - The Gayme Awards 2025
CONTENT WARNING: Harry Potter/Hogwarts Legacy/JK Rowling discussion
This episode was recorded on December 14 2025.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Ekamy: https://www.twitch.tv/ekamy
Sources:
https://x.com/discussingfilm/status/1999329463142605208?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1903340/view/491585297311596633
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nCX95t5cWY
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3743260/Virtue_and_a_Sledgehammer/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3839300/Dogpile/
https://folly.studio/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3256150/Moomintroll_Winters_Warmth/
https://x.com/CaseyDHudson/status/1999652683972489385
https://www.archetype-entertainment.com/en-US
https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/1k15opn/whats_the_deal_with_people_being_annoyed_at/
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/girls-make-games_girls-make-games-scholarship-fund-activity-6998343842693275648-7WsN/
https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Misc-/The-Super-Mario-Galaxy-Movie-2915226.html?srsltid=AfmBOor5wf4IJIZ-O1CyTslhMRxtW3fYTMxQKJ5ZeB_9lC735RG_cKhN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-BDeU3R5ic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYwGSLM8lsQ
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This week I’m taking a break from news and other current events to interview Elana and Nat from Unquiet Games!
Back in Episode 53, I spoke about a demo I played for a game called “Banned Together,” a first person 3D puzzle game (a “Metroidbrainia”) about queer books that are quite literally disappearing from the shelves of a library.
Elana and Nat are the two lovely humans behind this exciting and timely game, and we talk about the development, their inspirations, as well as the impact the payment processor situation could have on the game’s release.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:34 - Interview with Unquiet Games
The intro was recorded on December 3 2025. The interview was recorded on December 2 2025.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Banned Together on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3551960/Banned_Together/
Unquiet Games on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/unquietgames.bsky.social
Unquiet Games Official Website: https://unquietgames.com/
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Gayming Mag’s Streamer of the Week, Ekamy, joins me to discuss what we’ve been playing, the headlines, and the big fancy 2025 game everyone is talking about: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33!
Headlines include two upcoming games that won’t be featured at The Game Awards, the Electronic Arts purchase has had a negative effect on the right people, Steam has censored another queer game, and Udo Kier (star of OD Knock) has passed away.
Ekamy shares her thoughts on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the game that is poised to sweep The Game Awards next week. It’s also a queer game, believe it or not!
00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:24 - What We’ve Been Playing
00:14:43 - News
00:38:02 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
This episode was recorded on November 30 2025.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Gayming Mag’s Streamer of the Week - Ekamy: https://www.twitch.tv/ekamy
Sources:
https://www.ign.com/articles/naughty-dogs-intergalactic-the-heretic-prophet-reportedly-still-years-from-release-and-dont-expect-to-see-it-at-the-game-awards
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-witcher-4-wont-be-appearing-at-the-game-awards-cdpr-co-ceo-says/
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/11/cozy-indie-hit-flick-solitaire-pulled-from-steam-in-russia-following-anti-lgbtq-censorship-demands/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/saudi-arabia-is-reportedly-running-low-on-cash-for-investments-following-ea-deal/
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesagencycouncil/2023/11/17/the-gaming-industry-a-behemoth-with-unprecedented-global-reach/
https://x.com/hideo_kojima_en/status/1992785286712209409
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/11/jennifer-english-celebrates-queer-joy-in-golden-joysticks-award-speech/
https://www.ign.com/articles/yes-another-clair-obscur-game-is-coming-expedition-33-is-one-of-the-stories-that-we-want-to-tell-in-this-franchise-teases-director
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This week, Amy-Lynn and I discuss all the queer games that got nominations for The Game Awards and the Indie Game Awards. There were more layoffs. And in very sad news, Rebecca Heineman has passed away after a short battle with cancer.
For the main segment, we share our spoiler-free impressions of Kirby Air Riders, Masahiro Sakurai’s latest masterpiece (which is unusually accessible for a Nintendo game).
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:59 - News
00:33:51 - Kirby Air Riders
This episode was recorded on November 23 2025.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Amy-Lynn: https://bsky.app/profile/amethystlylac.bsky.social
Sources:
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/11/guilty-gear-strive-switch-edition-update-and-dlc-finally-arrives-this-december
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/31-developers-laid-off-as-avalanche-liverpool-closes-following-contrabands-cancellation/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/fan-group-gets-concord-working-again-but-warns-of-potential-worrying-legal-action-by-sony/
https://www.indiegameawards.gg/
https://dreadxp.com/vile-is-banned/
https://thegameawards.com/nominees
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/11/gayming-icon-and-lgbtq-games-pioneer-rebecca-heineman-has-died/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/11/kirby-air-riders-in-game-events-are-planned-to-run-for-a-year-after-launch
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It’s that time of the year!! Video games are on sale and a lot has changed since Black Friday 2024. So Ekamy, Lloyd, and I have advice, tips, tricks, and what to look out for when it comes to navigating the next two months of what will certainly induce some impulse purchases.
I also start the show off, by myself, with what I’ve been playing and the news. Headlines include: Steam is launching a bunch of new hardware, PlayStation had an Asia-focused State of Play (with some queer games!), the Mario Galaxy Movie got a new trailer, Horizon has a new game coming out (and it’s… weird), more layoffs, and a followup on last week’s Rockstar debacle.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:42 - What I’ve Been Playing
00:09:35 - News
00:39:42 - Segment
The Holiday Sales Guide was recorded on November 11, 2025 and the news segment was recorded on November 15, 2025.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Ekamy: https://www.twitch.tv/ekamy
Lloyd: https://www.twitch.tv/lloyd_lloydster
Sources:
https://store.steampowered.com/sale/hardware
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJp8K40TSxc
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3161220/view/579402232979523481?l=english
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2395770/Never_Grave_The_Witch_and_The_Curse/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgVvnVr7ojY
https://www.theverge.com/news/819657/horizon-steel-frontiers-mmo-sony-ncsoft-playstation
https://www.ign.com/articles/a-new-ratchet-clank-game-was-just-announcedfor-mobile
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/this-case-stands-as-a-warning-union-issues-legal-claim-against-gta-6-dev-rockstar/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/tomb-raider-developer-crystal-dynamics-announces-yet-more-layoffs/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqjMaKQskW8
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/kojima-productions-has-announced-death-stranding-isolations-an-animated-series-coming-to-disney-in-2027/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/7-years-after-it-was-announced-the-elder-scrolls-6-is-still-a-long-way-off-todd-howard-says/
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Cleo joins me for a lot of exciting queer game news and a heaping pile of drama!
On the news side: Zorkie Studios, the developer duo behind Quality Dreams, Reasonably Priced, has a brand new game announcement, Sonic Racing CrossWorlds and Warframe have Nintendo Switch 2 updates, Pokémon Legends Z-A’s DLC is dropping very soon, and some weird and maybe disappointing updates on Mass Effect 5 and Fallout New Vegas 2.
On the drama side: tons of layoffs, and a massive update on GTA 6 that is meant to distract us all from Rockstar’s alleged attempt at union busting.
00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:19 - What We’ve Been Playing
00:25:35 - News
01:08:00 - Segment
This episode was recorded on November 9 2025.
Follow True Avatars:
Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559
Guests:
Cleo: https://www.instagram.com/cleostrophobia/
Sources:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/4047160/Im_Making_a_Monster/
https://blog.bioware.com/2025/11/07/n7-day-2025/
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/mass-effect-boss-mike-gamble-slips-a-hidden-message-into-his-n7-day-update-asks-fans-to-stop-yelling-at-him-for-not-sharing-more-info-about-the-new-game/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC-0DOg4z9A
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/11/warframes-switch-2-version-is-officially-launching-in-2026
https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fallout/obsidian-knows-that-everyone-on-the-internet-keeps-asking-for-fallout-new-vegas-2-but-its-devs-are-currently-happy-working-on-their-own-ip-and-xbox-has-been-pretty-supportive-too/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMve2vXAQGQ
https://x.com/serebiinet/status/1986443665120579796?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/another-netease-games-studio-is-shutting-down/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/yet-another-netease-studio-has-closed-this-time-watch-dogs-devs-bad-brain/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/neteases-closed-studio-t-minus-zero-entertainment-is-back-from-the-dead/
https://www.rockman-corner.com/2025/11/capcom-taiwans-game-development.html
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/square-enix-announces-more-layoffs-as-part-of-us-and-europe-restructuring/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/square-enix-says-it-wants-generative-ai-to-be-doing-70-of-its-qa-and-debugging-by-the-end-of-2027/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/11/the-legend-of-zelda-movie-is-now-in-production-in-new-zealand
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-31/-grand-theft-auto-studio-accused-of-union-busting-after-firings
https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours/comments/1ol535e/jason_schreier_grand_theft_auto_studio_accused_of/?share_id=jD4aca9IotIqoUFjuB4D9&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1
https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours/comments/1opjkg4/jason_schreier_rockstar_games_said_that_the/?share_id=jdo6UO90RAZ74PX1UTr_k&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-05/-grand-theft-auto-studio-says-fired-employees-were-leaking-information?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc2MjM4NDU1NSwiZXhwIjoxNzYyOTg5MzU1LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUNUEwS0JHUFdDTDgwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.PipR6t4x9M3EqRs9jXeXrZNn3d-RZBZhXyh8pTYZhFs&leadSource=uverify%20wall
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2mkgbhbhqvappkkorf2bzyrp/post/3m4wbmgq46k23
https://iwgb.org.uk/en/post/staff-at-rockstar-fired-en-masse/
https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/ak3ak31a49a221/grand-theft-auto-vi-is-now-set-to-launch-november-19-2026
https://gtaforums.com/topic/1004182-rockstar-games-alleged-union-busting/#comment-1072605777
https://x.com/videotechuk_/status/1986569797799453128?s=12
https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/support-rockstar-workers-fighting-unfair-dismissals/
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