We're reflecting on our time at PAX AUS 2026 & MIGW!
SHOW DOT POINTS
PAX Melbourne drew around 90,000 attendees on Friday.
The indie section had more space, allowing for better crowd management.
Community engagement at PAX offered attendees a different experience.
The TCG market has grown exponentially since COVID.
The Game Awards faced criticism regarding their nomination process.
Big events were noticeably lacking during Melbourne International Games Week.
The hosts felt fatigued by the end of the week, underscoring the event's intensity.
Hands-on experiences with new games revealed mixed feelings about gameplay mechanics.
The hosts said they want more space for TCGs at future events.
Overall, PAX was a good time with lots of cool stuff to explore. Stranger Peasant's health bar is record-themed.
Learning to block and dodge is crucial in gameplay.
The game feels heavier than typical Yakuza games.
Persona 4 Revival features updated graphics and combat.
The new monitors at the Persona booth had privacy screens.
Total Warhammer 40K appeals to franchise fans.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort offers a variety of engaging sports.
Fun Wars is surprisingly enjoyable despite initial scepticism.
Alien Isolation 2 looks promising and is nearly ready for release.
The demo experience can vary widely depending on how you play. The demo for Alien Isolation's sequel offers a unique exploration experience.
Mission Delta stood out as a top indie game at PAX Oz.
Co-op gameplay in Finch and Archie adds a fun twist to detective games.
Innovative puzzle mechanics can create engaging gameplay experiences.
Real Life Party combines FMV with quirky humour for a unique narrative.
Cozy Game Restoration taps into classic gaming nostalgia.
Roguelite elements can enhance traditional genres like pinball.
Hellheartbreaker blends dating sims with action-RPG mechanics.
Upcoming game releases are shaping the gaming landscape for November.
GTA 6's release is anticipated to significantly impact the industry.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Explosion Network
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

We discuss GTA VI: Extended Look, the trailers from Gamescom ONL 2026, and which games are releasing in September.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley 🎙️ Ciaran Marchant
RESOURCES
Xbox announces disc-to-digital feature that lets you digitise physical Xbox One and Series X games | Eurogamer.net
Everything Announced At The Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 Event
Double Fine confirms it owns all its games' IP and publishing rights after Xbox split | Eurogamer.net
What Video Games Are Coming Out in September 2026? - Explosion Network
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Explosion Network
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network

We discuss the news that GTA 6 will be getting a deep dive on Netflix, age verification being required on consoles, and Dylan discusses two games he's been playing: Dosa Divas and Yoshi & The Mysterious Book.
SHOW DOT POINTS
There were two showcases this week, neither of which we'll be talking about.
Marvel Token Fighting Soul suffers from widespread PC issues at launch.
Aussies will now have to age-verify to play R18 games on Xbox.
This age verification is a response to Australian regulations.
GTA VI gameplay reveal is coming to Netflix at the end of the month.
Netflix is leaning into event moments to attract viewers.
The gaming community is fickle and may refund games due to issues.
Age verification aims to protect children from inappropriate content.
The reveal of GTA VI is highly anticipated and could draw new subscribers to Netflix.
Streaming platforms are changing how game reveals are conducted. Take-Two's CEO emphasises the shift to digital media.
GTA VI's success is anticipated based on pre-launch metrics.
The debate between digital and physical media continues to evolve.
Physical editions may still have a place for collectors.
Pricing strategies in gaming are influenced by digital sales.
Yoshi's new game targets a younger audience with its design.
Dosa Divas explores themes of family and corporate influence.
The art style of Yoshi's game is less distinct than previous titles.
Game mechanics in Dosa Divas include turn-based combat and cooking.
The hosts express excitement for the future of gaming despite challenges.
YOUR HOSTS 🎙️ Dylan Blight 🎙️ Ashley Hobley
RESOURCES
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls suffers from widespread PC issues at launch | Eurogamer.net
Aussies Will Now Have To Age Verify To Play R18+ Games On Xbox Series X/PC
An Extended Look At Grand Theft Auto 6 Gameplay Is Coming To Netflix And Here's All The Aussie Times
Take-Two's CEO Won't Rule Out Grand Theft Auto 6 On Disc But Says Discs Don't Make Sense Anymore
CREDITS
🎵 Music: Dylan Blight
🎵 Sound Effect by floraphonic from Pixabay
🎨 Artwork: Explosion Network
📝 Show notes powered by Riverside.FM
👉 DISCOVER MORE ARCADE COUCH & EXPLOSION NETWORKListen to every episode // Check out the website // Support Explosion Network