Arcade Couch
Call of Duty
Episodes
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
We discuss how the Xbox Boss has said TikTok is their biggest challenge and competition now, not other consoles, as well as the latest gaming headlines from the week.
SHOW DOT POINTS
The gaming industry is facing a November slump with little news.
Xbox sees competition beyond consoles, focusing on overall entertainment.
Attention spans are shorter, leading to a demand for simpler content.
Consumerism in gaming is critiqued through the lens of Outer Worlds 2.
Nintendo is providing significant updates for Animal Crossing without heavy monetisation.
Recent Pokémon leaks suggest exciting developments for the franchise.
The gaming landscape is evolving with new forms of competition.
Players are multitasking more than ever, affecting how games are consumed.
The Outer Worlds 2's consumerism trait is a humorous critique of players.
Nintendo's updates show a commitment to player satisfaction over profit. The Pokémon franchise has a rich history with many legends.
Pokémon Seed is anticipated to be a groundbreaking MMO.
The connection of various Pokémon regions is a long-awaited feature.
Nintendo's hardware limitations have affected Pokémon's evolution.
Fans are eager for more unique Pokémon titles.
Fortnite's crossover with The Simpsons brings nostalgia.
The Call of Duty movie has a strong creative team behind it.
Expectations for the Call of Duty movie are low but hopeful.
The gaming landscape is filled with exciting upcoming releases.
Indie games are gaining traction alongside major titles.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
EPISODE TIMECODES
00:00:00 - Intro00:01:20 - Xbox Boss Is More Concerned With TikTok Than Console Wars00:12:40 - The Outer Worlds 2 Has A "Consumerism" Flaw
00:18:30 - Animal Crossing 3.0 Update Coming In January00:23:00 - Pokemon Leaks00:40:10 - What Games Are Releasing In November 2025?00:53:00 - Fortnite's Massive Simpsons Cross-Over00:56:45 - Call of Duty Movie Finds Writer & Director01:00:05 - Patch Notes: Hot Fix
01:02:25 - Outro
RESOURCES
Xbox Boss Isn't Concerned About The Console War, Claims The 'Biggest Competition' Is Elsewhere
The Outer Worlds 2 dunks on you with a 'Consumerism' flaw that secretly makes you stupid if you bought its $100 version for early access: 'Promotions and sales have riddled your brain' | PC Gamer
All New Pokémon Games Release Roadmap: Every Confirmed & Leaked Game - Insider Gaming
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Is Getting A Nintendo Switch 2 Update And Heaps Of New Content
What Video Games Are Coming Out in November 2025? - Explosion Network
What are the new map and weapon loot pool changes in the Fortnite Simpsons mini season
The dudes behind Sicario and Lone Survivor are making the Call of Duty movie
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Cherie Henriques
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
We discuss our first impressions of Mafia: The Old Country, the fourth entry in the series; we also take a look at everything that was announced during Gamescom - Opening Night Live 2025.
Show Dot Points
The hosts express excitement about the upcoming release of Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Gamescom showcased a variety of new games and trailers, generating buzz among fans.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 aims to innovate with a new campaign structure.
The Lego Batman game promises to incorporate elements from various Batman media.
Anime adaptations of video games are becoming more common, with mixed reactions from fans.
The Fallout series continues to expand with a new season, delving deeper into character backstories.
The hosts share their thoughts on the Deadpool VR game and its potential success.
Zero Parades is generating interest despite concerns about the development team.
The Unbeatable game combines music and narrative in a unique way.
Overall, the conversation highlights the evolving landscape of video games and their adaptations. Silent Hill F showcases a new direction for the franchise.
The Divine Comedy offers a unique art style and gameplay experience.
Vampire: The Masquerade- Bloodlines 2 has faced numerous delays but remains highly anticipated.
Game trailers reveal a mix of horror, RPG, and action elements.
Mafia: The Old Country returns to a more narrative-driven style of gameplay.
The importance of character development in engaging players.
The evolution of gaming genres is evident in upcoming titles.
Game announcements create excitement and anticipation among fans.
The balance between gameplay mechanics and storytelling is crucial.
The hosts share personal insights and humour throughout the discussion.
Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo
Resources
Kirby Air Riders Release Date Has Been Revealed Alongside A Heap Of New Info
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025: All the Announcements and Trailers - Explosion Network
https://press-start.com.au/news/playstation/2025/08/22/hollow-knight-silksong-just-got-a-release-date-and-its-just-a-few-weeks-away/
Arcade Couch Credits:
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
All Episodes:
https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/
Support Us:
http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
We discuss S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl and its early reviews, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the nominees for The Game Awards 2024.
Show Dot Points
Stalker 2 has a long development history.
The game is set in a war-torn country.
Review codes can impact public perception.
Day one patches can change the game's reception.
The game is designed to challenge players.
Survival elements are basic but effective.
No fast travel makes exploration challenging.
Game Awards nominations reflect industry trends.
Marketing campaigns can influence game success. The best Sims strategy game includes titles like Frostpunk 2.
Innovation inaccessibility is often vague in nominations.
The definition of RPGs is debated among the hosts.
Prince of Persia is a highly anticipated title.
The content creators nominated are not widely recognized.
Indie games are gaining traction in the industry.
Community support nominations raise questions about the criteria.
Games for Impact highlights the narrative importance of gaming.
The best adaptation category aims to bridge games and media.
Audio design and art direction are crucial yet often overlooked. Game Awards nominations can be controversial and subjective.
The definition of 'Game of the Year' varies among gamers.
Cultural impact plays a significant role in game nominations.
Predictions for Game Awards winners can be speculative.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 offers a diverse campaign experience.
The new movement system in Call of Duty enhances gameplay.
DLCs and expansions raise questions about eligibility for awards.
Multiplayer experiences in games can vary widely.
The hosts express differing opinions on game nominations.
Game Pass availability influences player engagement with titles.
Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo
Arcade Couch Credits:
Music by: Dylan Blight
Art by: Cherie Henriques
Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
All Episodes:
https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/
Support Us:
http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Tony Hawk is coming to Brisbane, and we discuss why Ashley should be heading to the show. And we also talk about the drama around Modern Warfare 3 and Silent Hill: Ascension.
Hosts:Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladilAshley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobleyCiaran Marchant: https://twitter.com/YaboyRingo
Episode Timecodes
INTRO00:00:00 - Hello00:01:04 - Game of the Year Soon00:01:55 - Today On The ShowTHE NEWS00:02:05 - Tony Hawk Is Coming To Brisbane00:07:57 - Modern Warfare 3 Drama00:15:44 - Blizzcon 202300:18:43 - Silent Hill: Ascension Is An Odd Project00:31:39 - Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 ReviewSHOUTOUTS00:36:36 - Assassin's Creed Mirage Review00:41:06 - JSAUX Transparent Backplate with RPG and Vents Review00:41:47 - Spellbook Review
Resources
EUROGAMER
Modern Warfare 3 players are not happy with its short campaign
EXPLOSION NETWORK
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 Review – Powerful gaming laptop, but not one to take with you on a holidayAssassins Creed: Mirage Review – A return to what made the franchise great
JSAUX Transparent backplate with RGB and Vents Review
Spellbook Review – Bound to become a new regular in games nights
Tony Hawk is coming to Brisbane in January to celebrate 25 years of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
PC MAG
Silent Hill: Ascension Falls Flat With Glib Approach to Trauma, Microtransactions
Arcade Couch Credits:Music by: Dylan BlightArt by: Cherie Henriques
All Episodes:https://explosionnetwork.com/arcade-couch/
Support Us:http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion