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Episode Notes This week, the crew is joined by special guest Jenny Windom (Wholesome Games, Geeks & Grounds, and The Indie Council) to chat about the best frightfully fun, slightly spooky, and truly terrifying indie gems to play this Halloween season! The crew also delves into the origins of Wholesome Games. Settle in for a delightful chat full of fall vibes. Check out Jenny Windom and her awesome projects: Jenny on Bluesky: @kimchica.bsky.social Geeks & Grounds on Bluesky: @geeksandgrounds.bsky.social The Indie Council Website: @theindiecouncil.com Wholesome Games Official Website: https://wholesomegames.com Games Discussed During Today’s Episode: Penko Park: https://store.steampowered.com/app/852090/Penko_Park/ Well Dweller: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3699590/Well_Dweller/ Bugsnax: https://store.steampowered.com/app/674140/Bugsnax/ My Friendly Neighborhood: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1574260/My_Friendly_Neighborhood/ Mars After Midnight: https://www.marsaftermidnight.com/ Birth: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1889040/Birth/ Jusant: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1977170/Jusant/ Cursed to Golf: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1726120/Cursed_to_Golf/ Welcome to Elderfield: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3195440/Welcome_to_Elderfield/ Miniatures: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2428840/Miniatures/ Tick Tock: A Tale for Two: https://store.steampowered.com/app/790740/Tick_Tock_A_Tale_for_Two/ Before Your Eyes: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1082430/Before_Your_Eyes/ What Remains of Edith Finch: https://store.steampowered.com/app/501300/What_Remains_of_Edith_Finch/ Beacon Pines: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1269640/Beacon_Pines/ Bokura: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1801110/BOKURA/ Bokura: Planet: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3126150/BOKURA_planet/ Stray: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1332010/Stray/ A Little to the Left: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1629520/A_Little_to_the_Left/ Grunn: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2720950/Grunn/ Creature Kitchen: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3097300/Creature_Kitchen/ Strange Horticulture: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1574580/Strange_Horticulture/ Strange Antiquities: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2885870/Strange_Antiquities/ Lil Gator Game: In the Dark: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3205060/Lil_Gator_Game_In_the_Dark/ CARIMARA: Beneath the forlorn limbs: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3570370/CARIMARA_Beneath_the_forlorn_limbs/ Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:36 - Ice Breaker Question: What is Wholesome Games and how did it come to be? 19:16 - Main Topic: Best Wholesome Games to Play During Halloween Season 21:45 - Penko Park 24:02 - Well Dweller 27:57 - Bugsnax 32:03 - My Friendly Neighborhood 34:36 - Mars After Midnight 36:27 - Birth 39:38 - Jusant 43:28 - Cursed to Golf 45:17 - Welcome to Elderfield 49:10 - Miniatures and Tick Tock: A Tale for Two 53:08 - Before Your Eyes 56:28 - What Remains of Edith Finch 59:30 - Beacon Pines 1:00:47 - Bokura & Bokura: Planet  1:03:11 - Stray 1:04:41 - A Little to the Left 1:06:05 - Grunn and Creature Kitchen 1:10:05 - Strange Horticulture  1:11:58 - Lil Gator Game: In the Dark 1:13:07 - CARIMARA: Beneath the forlorn limbs 1:16:39 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram:@crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast  Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast  Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

Episode Notes This week, the crew is joined by special guest Kyle Stephenson (The Trophy Room and Crowbar) to celebrate physical media in gaming and make some predictions about the future of the sweet sweet discs and carts that they love so dearly! Prepare for show and tell, story time, gaming memories, and a whole lot of good vibes! Check out Kyle Stephenson and his awesome projects: Kyle on Bluesky: @mrkstep.bsky.social Crowbar on Bluesky: @crowbar.diy The Trophy Room on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PSTrophyRoom Check out Joseph’s new video on CantPause: https://youtu.be/AP501m0Ipfw?si=QZY4IRGrmansqZH9 Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 5:29 - Ice Breaker Question: What does physical media mean to you? 15:36 - Highlight games from our personal collections 24:56 - Unique or unusual games from our personal collections 47:56 - The future of physical media 01:13:23 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram: @crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia **

This week, the crew is joined by Kyle Stephenson to review the brand-new TOEM 2 from Something We Made. It's out today! Check out Kyle Stephenson: Kyle on Bluesky: @mrkstep.bsky.social Crowbar: https://crowbar.diy/ The Trophy Room on YouTube: ‪https://www.youtube.com/@PSTrophyRoom Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:15 - Jacob's written review of TOEM 2 2:25 - Kyle's overall impressions of TOEM 2 4:00 - Graphics and Music 4:45 - Puzzles and the New Tool Mechanic 8:50 - The original TOEM & collaborations with other indies 14:10 - Critters and Game Structure 17:30 - Wrap-Up and Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram: @crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

Episode Notes This week, the crew is back from PAX West 2026 and are joined by special guest Bret Griffen (The Relatively Gaming Podcast) to unpack their favorite games from the show. Get your wishlists ready and settle in for a good time! Check out Bret Griffen and the Relatively Gaming Podcast: Bret on Bluesky: @enigma9011.bsky.social Bret on Twitch: twitch.tv/enigma9011 The Relatively Gaming Podcast on YouTube: youtube.com/@relativelygaming Games Discussed During Today’s Episode: Wrestle Story - Tic Toc Games Lazy River - Mike, Kevan, Jake, Joel, Karlee Thank You Bus Driver - Double Fine Productions Abyssal Merge - Time Flies Studio Inc. GigaTurtles - Weird Dog Games I NEED SPACE - Khayalan Arts It Takes Paws - Awoo Studio The Final Cut of Lilith Cunningham - Causeway Studios Fugue Shot: Minigame Roguelike - Rare Dialect Remaining Grace - ambedo studios Poly Fighter - HeartLoop Games Clay-Time Master Beef - S.C.A.T. Bleu Bayou - Bokoyoss Games Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered - Pipeworks Studios Blocks for Babies - BunkSoft Interactive LLC Finding Polka - lidlocks Ladder Lad - BUCK Games, Antfood Dreampainters - Stability Games Valor Mortis - One More Level Malice in Wonderland - Slyglass Games Piroker - HABBY.FUN Rebounder - ThirtyThree Fairy Circle - Play Hooky Dungeon Lurker - 13AM Games Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse - KONAMI, Evil Empire Stepwell - Jeff Krause, Alex Krause, Tim Fowers, Adrian Graumann WOLFHOUND - Bit Kid, Inc. TOMMYROT - LMNOP Fractured Blooms - Serenity Forge Resources for Today’s Episode: Joseph’s Shroom and Gloom Preview Article: https://theindieinformer.com/2026/09/15/shroom-gloom-preview-craving-for-more/ Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:06 - Welcome to special guest Bret Griffen! 2:12 - Ice Breaker Question: How was PAX West 2026 overall? 10:42 - Our Game of the Show Awards 25:33 - Abyssal Merge 30:33 - GigaTurtles 33:26 - I NEED SPACE 37:39 - It Takes Paws 43:21 - Fugue Shot: Mingame Roguelike 45:42 -  Remaining Grace 49:55 - Poly Fighter 53:33 - Speed Round Shout Outs 01:11:20 - Joseph Hooper gives his overall thoughts on PAX 2026 01:18:51 - Rebounder 01:23:19 - Fairy Circle  01:27:01 - Dungeon Lurker 01:29:52 - Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse 01:33:17 - Stepwell 01:35:07 - WOLFHOUND  01:36:57 - TOMMYROT 01:42:22 - Fractured Blooms 01:46:45 - Joseph shouts out Blocks for Babies 01:47:33 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram: @crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

This week, Luke, Joseph, and Jacob break down their time playing the FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION demo during PAX West. Stay tuned for more coverage from PAX West 2026 very soon! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - What did we play and what was the structure of the demo? 04:30 - New Characters 10:32 - Exploration and the Open World 16:02 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram: @crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

Episode Notes This week, Luke, Claire, and Jacob run through their plans and predictions for the fall/holiday season! From what games are a day one purchase to what will be the surprise GOTY nominee, there’s a lot to discuss. Grab your Steam Wishlist and settle for a good time! Games Discussed During Today’s Episode: Marvel’s Wolverine - Insomniac Games Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave - Nintendo Otterly Lost - Soulworks Interactive Control Resonant - Remedy Entertainment Fallen Tear: The Ascension - Winter Crew Studios Dune Awakening - Funcom Orbitals - Shapefarm Echoes of Mora - Selkies Interactive Gears of War: E-Day - The Coalition   Usual June - Finji Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse - KONAMI, Evil Empire Terrible Lizards - WDR Studios LLC Resources for Today’s Episode: I Spent Hours Tracking Down Big Walk’s Mysterious Flying Folk Hero to Learn His Secret - Rebekah Valentine, Kotaku Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:08 - Ice Breaker Question: What's your excitement level heading into the fall/holiday season? 7:23 - Our September 2026 Picks 28:05 - Our October 2026 Picks 38:12 - November/December Picks and GTA VI Discussion 46:49 - Predictions for the fall/holiday season 56:33 - Surprise Announcement 58:35 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram: @crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast   Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast   Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

On this week's episode, Jacob, Claire and Luke talk through the Wholesome Games Celebration event on Steam. Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:20 - Icebreaker Question: "What is your favorite Wholesome Game mechanic?" 3:30 - Wholesome Games Celebration 4:05 - Spiritstead 11:10 - Capy Castaway 15:40 - Mind Inc. 18:30 - Our Fave Demos 18:45 - Tony the Mole 21:20 - Jigrift 25:25 - Wild n Chill 32:00 - Beastfolk Barber 33:40 - Locomochi 34:25 - Little Sheep Valley 37:45 - Final Thoughts 38:45 - PAX West 2026 Plans and Outro Check out the event here Jacob's Panel at PAX West 2026 Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

On this week's episode, it's time for another indie game review round up ft. Roger Reichardt from The Gamerheads Podcast! Check them out! We tackle Denshattack!, The Mermaid Mask, Kaz, Wabisabi Sushi Derby and Mistfall Hunter! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 5:30 - Icebreaker Question: "What is your end of summer/back-to-school rituals?" 12:20 - Denshattack! 21:25 - The Mermaid Mask 31:30 - Kaz 38:05 - Wabisabi Sushi Derby 42:05 - Mistfall Hunter 50:45 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

On this week's show, Claire, Jacob and Joseph try to figure out how we can make video games more sustainably. Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:50 - Icebreaker Question: "What have you been playing?" 9:50 - What the hell is happening? The 90-second vent session. 16:50 - The early days of gaming 32:00 - Mid-budget masterpieces 37:10 - Are there too many games (the attention economy)? 44:30 - The maturation of the games industry compared to other industries 59:00 - A look to indie and theft 1:18:00 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

Episode Notes This week, Luke and Jacob are joined by special guest Adam Gumbert (The Tier List & Respawn Aim Fire) to give their review of 007 First Light! Discussion starts spoiler free and then gets into spoilers later on. See timestamps below for more details. Check out Adam and the Tier List: A Video Game Podcast: Follow Adam on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/adamgumby.bsky.social Check out the Tier List on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AdamGumby/podcasts Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:59 - Icebreaker Question: What is your personal history with the Bond franchise and the Hitman series? 09:10 - Overall Impressions 17:41 - Light Spoilers: Chess Match Mission and License to Kill Statuses 19:42 - End of Spoilers and Mission Approaches/Gameplay Structure  25:55 - The Flow of Combat, Tacsim, and Replaying Missions 35:44 - Spoiler-Filled Story Discussion: Opening Hours 1:02:03 - Spoiler-Filled Story Discussion: Second Half and the Ending 1:18:35 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram: @crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast   Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast   Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia **

Episode Notes This week, Claire and Luke breakdown their thoughts on the early access launch of Subnautica 2. Tune in to hear how the highly anticipated sequel compares to Claire’s favorite game of all time. Episode Resources: GamesIndustry.biz - Subnautica 2 Coverage Minnmax - Subnautica 2 Lead Gameplay Designer Interview   Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:43 - Ice Breaker: What is your history with the Subnautica series? 3:28 - The launch of Subnautica 2 and overall impressions 31:14 - Can you jump into Subnautica 2 without playing the other games in the series? 31:56 - Spoilers for Subnautica 1 and 2 35:37 - The community discourse of Subnautica 2 48:24 - What would you like to see in Subnautica 2 1.0? 58:10 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram: @crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast   Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast   Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia

On this week's show, the boys are back to talk about the Xbox Games Showcase, the Sony State of Play and their favorite games from Summer Game Fest 2026. Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Icebreaker Question: "What was favorite announcement of the weekend?" 7:30 - Our Three Faves Games from Summer Game Fest 2026 37:00 - What are our expectations going into a showcase? 42:00 - Dissecting the showcases (PS, SGF, Xbox) 1:25:00 - What games are we still waiting to hear about? Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

Episode Notes This week, Joseph and Luke sit down and breakdown their thoughts on the state of the games industry in 2026. From what publishers are making the biggest impact to their thoughts on the importance of the indie scene, this is a wide ranging fireside chat ahead of the summer showcase season.  Episode Resources: Joseph’s Mixtape Article on CantPause MinnMax Spotlight - Virtue and a Sledgehammer Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Icebreaker: Who is your favorite publisher in gaming currently? 7:44 - How do you feel about the industry as a whole right now? 38:27 - Are AAA vital to the games industry? 57:16 - What’s your most anticipated first-party and indie games for the reminder of 2026? 1:01:45 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram: @crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast   Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast   Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia **

On this week's show, Joseph and Jacob are joined by Travis Colenutt to talk about some new indie gaming hotness! Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Icebreaker Question: "What's going on with the Left Behind Game Club ?" 9:00 - Replaced 22:45 - Titanium Court 34:30 - Mouse P.I. For Hire 42:40 - Gambonaza by Blukulélé 56:40 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast

Episode Notes This week, the crew chats about their time playing three recent indie releases including Dosa Divas, Fishbowl, and Planet of Lana II. Spoilers for the episode: these games are great and there’s something for everyone! Thanks to Popagenda and Wholesome Games for providing review code for this episode. Games Discussed During Today’s Episode: Dosa Diva - Outerloop Games Thirsty Suitors - Outerloop Games Fishbowl - imissmyfriends.studio Planet of Lana II - Wishfully Episode Resources: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie as Reviewed By A Four-Year Old - Jessica Cogswell | GameSpot Video Game Trivia: Judgement Hour (PAX East 2026) VOD   Game-Pardy! A PAX East Quiz Show Event VOD - Featuring Jacob and hosted by Adam Gumbert Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 2:19 - Ice Breaker Question: What did we think of the Super Mario Galaxy Movie? 16:07 - Dosa Divas 24:56 - Fishbowl 34:40 - Planet of Lana II 46:09 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram: @crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast   Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast   Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia **