Advertise on podcast: PS This is Awesome! A PlayStation Podcast

This week on “PS This is Awesome!,” The crew dives into a packed lineup of PlayStation news, surprises, and a few eyebrow-raising stories from around the gaming world.  Sony is rolling out PS5 age verification later this year in the UK, Ireland, and Brazil, requiring users to confirm their age before accessing messages and voice chat. Is this the future of online console communication, or just another hoop to jump through? We also talk about the breakout success of Pragmata, which has already sold 1 million copies in just three days, proving Capcom may have another major new IP on its hands. On the industry side, former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida made headlines with candid comments about being pushed out of Worldwide Studios after clashing with former CEO Jim Ryan. Elsewhere, Dragon Ball FighterZ is somehow getting brand-new DLC eight years after launch, and we discuss why long-term support like this is always cool to see. Then there’s the hilariously shameless Gran Turismo knockoff “Gran Carismo,” now reportedly being renamed before release after drawing attention for all the wrong reasons. We also cover the latest rumor that Fair Games is still alive, possibly pivoting into a free-to-play extraction shooter, plus thoughts on the new Street Fighter movie trailer, which seems to be embracing full-on B-movie chaos. Is that genius or disaster in the making? Finally, we look at the huge sales momentum behind Crimson Desert, now at 5 million copies in under a month, and react to the announcement of Metro 2039, which promises a darker return to the series’ roots. Plus, as always, we run through this week’s new releases and what you should be playing next. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on PS This is Awesome!, we dive into some of the biggest stories shaping the gaming industry right now—and a few that might have you raising an eyebrow. We kick things off with a candid (and somewhat concerning) revelation from a former Naughty Dog developer, who claims the studio has largely accepted crunch as a necessary part of making blockbuster games. Is this just the reality of AAA development, or a problem the industry still refuses to solve? Next up, Metro 2039 is officially set to be revealed during an upcoming Xbox livestream, giving fans of the series something big to look forward to. Meanwhile, Hideo Kojima’s mysterious Physint is already turning heads thanks to a casting call describing a villain with serious “Mads Mikkelsen in Hannibal” energy—because of course it is. We also unpack new comments from former Bethesda exec Pete Hines, who sheds light on why he left ahead of Starfield’s launch—and what he had to say about Microsoft’s direction might raise some questions. On the lighter side, No Man’s Sky continues its redemption arc with a wild Pokémon-style update inspired by a fan suggestion… and yes, they actually did it. Finally, we discuss Sony’s new “Playerbase” initiative, which lets you scan yourself into Gran Turismo 7—but most fans aren’t exactly thrilled. Plus, with Xbox revamping its achievement system, we ask: is it time for PlayStation trophies to evolve? Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 418 of PS THIS IS AWESOME dives into a week where PlayStation fans are feeling the squeeze. Sony officially announces major PS5 price hikes across the board—including the PS5 Pro and PlayStation Portal—marking one of the biggest shifts in console pricing since launch. The guys break down what this means for players, why it’s happening, and whether this is the new normal for gaming hardware. We also look ahead to April’s PS Plus Essential lineup, with Lords of the Fallen reportedly leading the charge ahead of the official reveal. Plus, in a move that adds to the growing list of concerns, Sony has paused sales of certain PS5 storage options due to ongoing supply chain issues—raising questions about how deep these hardware challenges go. The PS6 conversation is officially here. With fears of a $1,000 console swirling, new reports suggest it might land closer to $699 instead. We dig into what’s realistic, what Sony’s strategy might be, and whether next-gen pricing is about to redefine what gamers are willing to pay. The show closes out with a look at some additional news from the most recent week. Showcased are Uncharted rumors, April Fools shenanigans, and a sweet PSN deal. It’s a packed episode full of big-picture PlayStation news, real-world impact, and a look at where things might be heading next. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of PS This is Awesome!, Fred is BACK! (if briefly) to discuss Resident Evil Requiem. For the news this week, the guys run through a packed lineup of PlayStation news, starting with growing anticipation for Marvel’s Wolverine as Sony appears to be gearing up for a proper reveal soon. They also spend time on Crimson Desert, discussing both the developers’ response to criticism over clunky controls and concerns about the game’s performance mode on base PS5, with agreement that it needs more polish before release. The conversation then shifts to Housemarque’s Saros, which is positioned as a more accessible evolution of Returnal, with the hosts debating whether dialing back the roguelike difficulty is a good move. They also touch on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 taking inspiration from Gran Turismo 7 for its upcoming PSVR2 mode, highlighting how PlayStation’s VR efforts are influencing even first-party Xbox titles. Finally, the episode wraps with discussion around Mark Cerny’s comments on PS6, focusing on Sony’s continued push for major graphical advancements and what that could mean for the next generation of PlayStation hardware. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake is flying solo again this week and kicking things off with a quick story about the wild wind storm that tore through the area on Friday, leaving plenty of damage and chaos in its wake. From there, he dives into a listener question about the skill mismatch issues in Marathon and shares his thoughts on what might be going on with the game’s balance and matchmaking. As to what he’s playing, Jake is still deep into Resident Evil Requiem and Baldur’s Gate 3. For the main topic of discussion, Jake looks ahead to some of the games currently slated for 2026 that have caught his attention. He highlights titles like Crimson Desert, the upcoming 007 game, and Wolverine, discussing why each one is on his radar and what he’s hoping to see from them when they finally release. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on PS This is Awesome!, Jake is joined by friend of the show LJ for a laid-back conversation about gaming, music, and the latest PlayStation news. The episode kicks off with Jake and LJ reminiscing about their gaming past, sharing stories about how they got into games and the role music has played in their lives alongside gaming. They then dive into what they’re currently playing, including impressions and thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem and Avowed, discussing their experiences so far and how each game is landing for them. In the news segment, the conversation shifts to some of the latest developments in the PlayStation world. Jake and LJ talk about recent PS6 rumors and what the next generation of PlayStation hardware might look like. They also discuss Sony’s evolving PC release strategy and what it could mean for PlayStation exclusives in the future. The discussion continues with talk of a newly revealed controller and some updates on other games that have been making headlines. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this solo episode of PS This is Awesome!, Jake holds down the fort while recovering from a hockey-related concussion — because nothing says dedication like recording through a head injury (don’t worry, he’s taking it easy). He kicks things off with a quick health update before diving into what he’s currently playing, sharing impressions and early thoughts on the games keeping him busy while he’s sidelined from the rink. From there, Jake breaks down some major industry news: the reported closure of Bluepoint Games and why the silence from Sony has fans speculating. He also covers Bungie stepping up enforcement and issuing bans to cheaters, discussing the ongoing fight to keep online play fair. On the Marvel front, Jake talks about the anticipated release date for Marvel's Wolverine. He also dives into some creator commentary on the infamous “Chicken Man” from the upcoming Project Windless. The God of War universe gets plenty of love this episode, too. Jake reacts to a new screenshot from the upcoming God of War TV adaptation and discusses reports that Santa Monica Studio is developing a brand-new game set in the God of War universe. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on PS THIS IS AWESOME, Fred and Jake dive into the games they’ve been playing: Fred tackling the high‑intensity loot shooter ARC Raiders and the tactical fantasy strategy of Unicorn Overlord, while Jake is deep into Baldur’s Gate 3 and the freshly released God of War: Sons of Sparta, exploring Kratos’ early Spartan adventures in a surprise 2D Metroidvania. We kick off the news with a recap of the latest State of Play, where we saw everything from Kena: Scars of Kosmora and the Ghost of Yōtei Legends DLC, to PC news with Death Stranding 2, plus a variety of gameplay reveals including 4 Loop, Pragmata, Resident Evil Requiem, Control Resonant, Crimson Moon, Beast of Reincarnation, Saros, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and more. Remasters, surprises, and teases were everywhere, from Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered, Brigandine Abyss, and Dead or Alive 6: Last Round Free-to-Play, to Dead or Alive 7, God of War Trilogy Remake, and fan favorites like Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition, Mina the Hollower, and Neva: Prologue. We also cover the spookier side with Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, Silent Hill: Townfall, and Rev.NOiR, plus high-octane trailers for John Wick, Marathon: Server Slam Beta, Yakoh Shinobi Ops, Project Windless, Star Wars Galactic Racer, and 007 First Light. The PlayStation Plus segment brings a mix of classics and catalog highlights, featuring Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Tekken Dark Resurrection, Time Crisis, and Big Walk. Finally, we wrap up with all the exciting new releases hitting PS5 and PS4 this month, from aerial chaos in Aerial_Knights Dropshot, epic fantasy adventures like Avowed and Under the Island, quirky and dark RPGs like Calamity Angels: Special Delivery, Death Howl, and Soulslinger: Envoy of Death, to platformers, strategy games, and remasters such as KLETKA, Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown, Showgunners, Prize Fighter: Heavyweight Edition, and the latest entries in Ys X: Proud Nordics. With so many genres and surprises, this episode has something for every PlayStation fan – from Qbert nostalgia to modern action and strategy chaos! Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 412 of PS This Is Awesome is packed with PlayStation news, hands-on impressions, and plenty of speculation as Fred and Jake catch up on what they’ve been playing — including ARC Raiders, Unicorn Overlord, and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. We break down a massive, hour-long State of Play announcement, Sony officially unveiling the co-op focused Horizon: Hunters Gathering, Capcom dropping a playable Pragmata demo, and Ubisoft’s low-key release of The Division: Definitive Edition without a true PS5 upgrade. There’s also discussion around Capcom’s live-action Resident Evil Requiem short film and what it signals for the franchise’s future. Plus, we run through a stacked slate of new releases hitting PS5 this week — from horror and RPGs to racers and roguelites — before wrapping things up the only way we know how… Like Persona 5, Pentiment, PES 2021. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 411 of PS This Is Awesome dives into a mix of PlayStation news, industry speculation, and creative fan innovation. We start with The Last of Us TV series, as HBO’s Chief Content Officer suggests the show could wrap up after Season 3 — potentially shorter than earlier plans — sparking a conversation about adaptation fatigue, pacing, and how much story is really left to tell. From there, we shift into the wild world of modding with a fan-built handheld PS4, raising big questions about portability, practicality, and whether PlayStation should take handheld gaming more seriously in the future. The episode also tackles growing speculation around the PlayStation 6, with analysts suggesting the next console may arrive later than expected due to factors like RAM shortages and the massive shadow of GTA 6. We break down what a longer PS5 lifecycle could mean for hardware refreshes, first-party output, and player expectations. On the service side, Sony’s PlayStation Plus Essential lineup for February gives us plenty to react to, featuring Undisputed, Subnautica: Below Zero, Ultros, and Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. We round things out with a look at Sony’s newly filed controller patent that could let players customize button placement via touchscreens, Capcom’s community-driven Mega Man boss design contest, and fresh rumors pointing toward a possible OLED PlayStation Portal later this year. It’s an episode full of “what if” moments — blending official news, grassroots creativity, and informed speculation about where PlayStation might be heading next. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 410 of PS This Is Awesome is packed with PlayStation news, speculation, and fresh releases as Fred and Jake break down one of the busiest news cycles of the year so far. Fred shares his continued time with Arc Raiders and GI Joe: Wrath of Cobra, Jake talks about beating Outerworlds 2 while the duo reacts to major industry rumors — including reports that Grand Theft Auto 6 could launch digitally first to prevent leaks, potentially reshaping how blockbuster games release going forward. The conversation heats up with talk of a rumored PlayStation State of Play in February, sparking speculation about what Sony might show early in 2026, alongside a newly announced historical Italian adventure becoming a PS5 console exclusive. The guys also discuss the surprising confirmation that Fable is coming to PS5 in Autumn 2026, marking a major moment for the franchise as it expands beyond Xbox for the first time. On the media side, Christopher Judge’s endorsement of the upcoming God of War TV series casting helps ease fan concerns, while PS VR2 owners get a win as Synth Riders adds a timed exclusive Queen track following Beat Saber’s quiet exit. The episode wraps with a broader look at Sony’s evolving business strategy, including the company spinning off its iconic television division — a symbolic shift for one of gaming’s most influential brands. With a stacked lineup of new game releases and thoughtful discussion on PlayStation’s future, Episode 410 delivers insight, hype, and perspective for fans who want to stay ahead of what’s next. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 409 Title: Boilers, Shovelware, and Strange Returns Episode 409 Summary: This week on PS This Is Awesome!, Fred and Jake break down what they’ve been playing, with Fred diving into ARC RAIDERS and the nostalgic beat-’em-up GI JOE: Wrath of Cobra, while Jake explores the sci-fi RPG depths of The Outer Worlds 2.  In the news, Rockstar confirms GTA 6 development continues uninterrupted after a boiler malfunction caused a scare at Rockstar North, Sony quietly wipes thousands of shovelware titles from the PS Store in a major cleanup move, Life Is Strange officially confirms its return with a full reveal coming next week, and Bungie’s MARATHON locks in a March 5th, 2026 release date. The episode wraps up with a packed rundown of new releases hitting PlayStation, including 2XKO, MIO: Memories in Orbit, Arknights: Endfield, Look Mum No Computer, MAVRIX, SEGA Football Club Champions, and the fairy-tale-meets-capitalism RPG Escape from Ever After. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 408 of PS This Is Awesome! is a wide-ranging conversation that captures both the highs and lows of the current PlayStation landscape. Fred and Jake discuss the sobering news of multiple studio shutdowns, including Sanzaru Games and other Oculus-backed teams, and what it says about the volatility of the industry — even for well-regarded developers tied to beloved PS3-era classics. The conversation continues with Ubisoft’s layoffs at Massive Entertainment, raising questions about how major publishers balance big-budget franchises like The Division 3 amid ongoing restructuring. On a brighter note, the guys celebrate Arc Raiders surpassing 12 million copies sold, breaking down why the game has become such a standout multiplayer success within the PlayStation ecosystem. They also look ahead to Capcom’s upcoming Resident Evil showcase and what fans can realistically expect from Resident Evil: Requiem as anticipation continues to build. The episode wraps with some fun speculation around a potential Wolfenstein 3 from MachineGames, making this a balanced episode full of reflection, excitement, and classic PS This Is Awesome discussion. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 407 – PS Plus January 2026 Revealed, PS6 Rumors & Silent Hill’s Future This week on PS This Is Awesome, Fred and Jake break down a packed slate of PlayStation news as 2026 kicks off. We run through the newly announced PlayStation Plus Essential games for January, including Need for Speed Unbound, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, and Core Keeper, and talk about how this lineup sets the tone for the year ahead. The conversation shifts to reflection and fun with PushSquare’s PlayStation Quiz of the Year 2025, sparking discussion about just how much happened in gaming over the past twelve months — and how easy it is to forget some big moments. We also dive into fresh PS6 speculation, as reports around component and RAM shortages raise questions about how long Sony might stretch the PS5 generation and what that means for future hardware plans. Horror fans get some exciting news as the Silent Hill producer shares a goal of releasing one new Silent Hill game per year, building on the success of the Silent Hill 2 remake and reigniting hope for the franchise’s future. The episode closes on a somber but important note, as we honor the legacy of Vince Zampella, co-creator of Call of Duty and a major force behind Titanfall, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi series, whose impact on modern shooters and the industry at large cannot be overstated. We also highlight new releases hitting PlayStation this week, including the action-packed Bunny Rampage: History of Revenge and the cozy survival builder I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival. It’s a balanced episode of reflection, speculation, and excitement as PlayStation heads into a new year. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content — or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one — come back. We try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 406 - Our Most Anticipated Games of 2026 In this week’s episode of PS This Is Awesome!, Fred and Jake break down their most anticipated PlayStation games of 2026, sharing personal hype levels, early impressions, and why these titles are must-plays. From Marvel’s Wolverine’s intense action and cinematic storytelling to the massive open-world spectacle of GTA 6, the guys hit all the big names that will dominate next year. They also dive into Resident Evil: Requiem, Crimson Desert, Nioh 3, and other PS5 exclusives and multiplatform releases, giving listeners a sense of what to expect from both blockbuster and story-driven experiences. Fred shares his time with Silent Hill 2 Remake, the Corpo Intro on Cyberpunk 2077, and the Arizona Sunshine remake, while Jake discusses Silent Hill 2, Stardew Valley, The Outworlds 2 and his early thoughts on how these upcoming games stack up against classics. The episode also touches on PlayStation Plus changes in 2026, with PS4 titles being dropped from the Essential tier and a focus on PS5 and cross-gen games — plus speculation around a potential new Witcher 3 DLC nearly ten years after the original. It’s a jam-packed episode for fans looking to plan their 2026 gaming calendars, mixing personal playtime, deep dives into upcoming releases, and news that could shift how PlayStation players experience their consoles next year. Visit www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome to support the show and help us continue producing the content you love! Please, if you enjoyed the content or even if you didn’t quite enjoy this one, come back — we try to offer something for everybody. Share with your friends and help us grow our awesome PlayStation community! As always you can support our show at our Patreon Page. Thanks for listening. http://www.patreon.com/psthisisawesome Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.