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Janet and Isaiah try to figure out what does it mean to be an exceptional game, what does it mean to innovate in a game, and ultimately try to decide if innovation is a requirement for making an exceptionally good game (GAMES). Then they talk about their media consumption, how many things they try to consume at once, and what media are they consuming and when (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up03:44 Games / Do exceptional games require innovation?01:11:34 Not Games / Juggling media consumption02:10:31 Poll of the Show02:19:22 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesBackloggd: GamesAndNotGamesFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah create a new Backloggd account for Games And Not Games. In doing so they must come together and work out just what their shared Top 5 Favorite Games are (GAMES). Then they get into their financial life after being married and talk about what’s new, what’s been added, what’s just a little bit different, and what even is a credit union (NOT GAMES). Follow us on Backloggd! Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:55 Games / GANG Top 5 Favorite Games01:06:12 Not Games / Finances After Marriage01:40:58 Poll of the Show02:05:12 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesBackloggd: GamesAndNotGamesFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about their history and goals with retro gaming. Having just went to a few stores in LA, they go over what they’re currently looking got, when they pull the trigger on a retro game, and when do they reach for… other means… to get their classic games (GAMES). Then they bring back a recent format and talk about their “lock-ins” and “leave-its” for the new year, helping each other decide what to bring forward into 2026 and what to ultimately drop (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:03 Games / Retro Gaming58:35 Not Games / 2026 Lock-Ins & Leave-Its02:01:38 Poll of the Show02:06:28 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about what they’ve been playing during the holiday break and also go over what 2026 games they’re most excited to play (GAMES). Then they talk about going snowboarding together, what it was like, their experience with the sport, and if they’ll go again. Finally they talk about Janet finally going to The COSM to see The Matrix in “Shared Reality”, their thoughts on the experience, how does The COSM stack up against other movie-going experiences, and if they think its worth the money and hype (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up11:36 Games / What we’ve been playing32:56 Games we’re looking forward to01:05:27 Not Games / Snowboarding Over New Years01:28:18 The Matrix @ The COSM01:46:56 Poll of the Show01:47:27 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah go over the second annual GANG of the Year awards. For each of the 7 "Games and not games" categories, Janet and Isaiah talk about their top choices, discuss what wins each category, and ultimately pit the 7 winners against each other to decide what walks away with the honor of being 2025's GANG of the Year! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Opening Ceremonies02:06 Video Game of the Year01:07:53 Board Game of the Year01:26:40 Movie of the Year01:58:41 Show of the Year02:20:19 Album of the Year02:54:58 Experience of the Year03:19:14 Food of the Year03:36:25 GANG of the Year03:46:15 Poll of the Show03:58:28 OutroWinner Links:Video Game of the Year Board Game of the YearMovie of the YearShow of the YearAlbum of the YearExperience of the YearFood of the Year Send your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotTikTok, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky: @GamesAndNotGamesFollow the hosts: Janet: @GameonysusIsaiah: @IsaiahByDayah

Janet and Isaiah go over the results of The Game Awards 2025, share some of their favorite announcements and highlights, and tally up their prediction scores along with the GANG community to see how everyone did. Then they look forward into 2026 and share their Gaming Resolutions for next year (GAMES). Then they talk about what’s on their Todo lists before the end of the year, help each other decide what to lock-in on and what to let go of (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up03:16 Games / TGA Results09:36 TGA Announcements & Highlights46:09 TGA Community Poll Results49:23 2026 Gaming Resolutions01:13:45 Not Games / End-of-Year Todo Lists02:03:01 Poll of the Show02:10:36 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah go down the list of categories for The Game Awards 2025 and share their personal picks and predictions for who the winners will be (GAMES). Then they dive into what it’s been like getting back into reading, their reading habits, and what books they’ve been enjoying since picking the hobby back up (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up09:10 Games / The Game Awards 2025 Picks and Predictions10:24 Most Anticipated Game12:57 Games for Impact19:00 Debut Indie Game21:16 Best Sports/Racing Game26:09 Best RPG28:44 Best Independent Game33:23 Best Family Game37:08 Best Action/Adventure Game40:42 Best Action Game44:45 Best Score & Music48:14 Best Performance51:10 Best Narrative01:00:12 Best Multiplayer01:08:16 Best Game Direction01:11:09 Best Audio Design01:13:38 Best Art Direction01:19:31 Game of the Year01:26:46 Not Games / Getting (back) into reading02:02:36 Poll of the Show02:06:24 Outro Send your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah go over some games on the horizon that have them a little scared for one reason or another. Whether they think the game might be mad, a little disappointing, or just too massive, they walk through some of their fears and hopes for the titles (GAMES). Then, in the spirit of resurrecting the dead, Janet and Isaiah talk about some hobbies they’ve brought back out, what made them pick these hobbies up again, how progress with things are going, and what they still hope to achieve now that the hobby is back (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:59 Games / Upcoming games we’re scared of42:36 Not Games / Resurrecting neglected hobbies01:15:33 Poll of the Show01:20:55 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about their time with Hollow Knight: Silksong now that they’ve both had some major time to play it. What they think of the first act, how it compares to Hollow Knight 1, and if it lands on their Top-10 games of the year so far. They also both have started Pokemon: Legends  Z-A and share some initial thoughts on that adventure (GAMES). Then, it finally happened! Janet and Isaiah talk about their wedding day, what it was like planning their wedding, what went well, what went wrong, and what advice they might have for others doing the same. They also go over their “Mini”-moon vacation, going to Universal, eating lunch with Toad and friends, exploring the Disneyland parks, and if they think it was all time well spent (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up06:06 Games / Hollow Knight Silksong52:49 Pokemon Legends Z-A (Check-in)01:02:47 Top-10 Games (Check-in)01:09:42 Not Games / Our Wedding + “Mini”-moon02:21:16 Poll of the Show02:29:21 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about when is it time to give up on a game, what are reasons you abandon playing a game to the end, and what games are on the chopping block to get dropped by them? They also compile a quick list of all the reasons they think someone might commonly abandon a game (GAMES). Then they talk about The Matrix movies. Isaiah only having seen the first 1 and Janet only having seen 2 - 4, they come together to talk about which of the movies are good, which are bad, and ultimately decide which are even worth watching in the first place (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:22 Games / When do you give up on a game?01:18:31 Not Games / The Matrix movies02:04:35 Poll of the Show02:07:19 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about Janet going international to attend Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, Germany. From Opening Night Live, to playing indie games, Janet and Isaiah recap some of the announcements and go over what games caught their attention (GAMES). Then they talk about their trip to Minnesota, trying out the (in)famous Juicy Lucy, seeing some Gangcast fans at the MinnMax meetup, and exploring the Mall of America (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:40 Games / Gamescom 202501:12:27 Not Games / Visiting Minnesota02:04:49 Poll of the Show02:11:20 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about Janet maybe starting Monster Train? Having Slay the Spire experience under her belt, they touch on if they think it’s a good time to pick up something new. They then pick a handful of games studios and try to find out what’s the best game from each one, touching on their history with the studio, its franchises, and more (GAMES). Then they talk about their past, present, and future with pets. Going over what pets they had growing up, sharing some fun and not so fun stories with pets from their childhood, and dream about what animal friends they may have in the future (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up05:12 Games / Janet starts Monster Train?11:48 Best games from each studio01:03:02 Not Games / Pets (our past, present, and future)01:54:31 Poll of the Show02:11:16 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about the latest updates in Janet’s Slay the Spire journey. They then talk about if they’re bananas for Bananza, their thoughts on the latest DK game, what they like, what they don’t like, and how they think it sits against other games in the genre (GAMES). Then they talk about cooking in the Garcia-Smith household. They go over what their goto meals are, their best recipes, and how they want to grow their skills in the kitchen (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up01:22 Games / Slay the Spire (Check-In)16:53 Donkey Kong Bananza49:00 Not Games / Cooking and Recipes01:28:19 Poll of the Show01:38:07 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about Slay the Spire, a modern classic roguelike deckbuilder that’s captured Janet’s attention while playing around with Nintendo Switch 2’s virtual game card sharing. From poisoning foes to building energy, Janet seems to be really enjoying her runs so far. Lets just hope this doesn’t take a turn for the worse (GAMES). Then they talk about attending Anime Expo 2025 in the Los Angeles Convention Center. They managed to catch a panel about Janet’s newest anime love Frieren, listened to some NASA scientist discuss if anime science is based on fact or fiction, share their Artist Alley flops, and come to terms with the fact that some Persona 5 music fans are just plain better than them (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up02:53 Games / Slay the Spire50:52 Not Games / Anime Expo 202501:37:47 Poll of the Show01:44:42 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev

Janet and Isaiah talk about finding time to game. With recent changes to their day-to-day schedules and their backlogs continuing to pile up, they go over what gaming time used to be like for them, what its like most recently, and what they hope to transform it into in the near future (GAMES). Then they talk about just what has caused the recent changes in their day-to-day life, Isaiah getting a new job! They touch on how the new job has changed their sleep patterns (for the better?) as well as what going “back to work” shopping was like when you mix a shopper and non-shopper together (NOT GAMES). Poll of the Show:https://gamesandnotgames.com/poll Timestamps: 00:00 Intro00:18 Catching Up00:50 Games / Finding Time to Game49:05 Not Games / New Job, New Routines01:38:51 Poll of the Show01:47:47 OutroSend your questions and topics to the email address [email protected] more Games And Not Games: YouTube.com/@GamesAndNotGamesTwitch.tv/GamesAndNotGamesBlueSky: @GamesAndNotGames.comTikTok, Instagram, Threads: @GamesAndNotGamesTwitter/X: @GamesAndNotFollow the hosts: Janet: @gameonysus.bsky.socialIsaiah: @isaiahsmith.dev