Off The Console

Itch.io is cracking down on AI-generated “slop,” while a wave of new releases is reportedly slowing Steam’s game reviews. We discuss what platforms can do without shutting out creative indie developers—and why GOG’s idea of bringing back physical PC games has us intrigued.

Plus: could AI help bring GTA 6 to PC sooner? We also talk about game soundtracks losing their distinctiveness, Google restricting Search in schools that block its AI tools, AMD’s data-center pivot, decentralized computing, and a surprising fossil discovery.

What should gaming platforms do about AI-made games—and would you buy a physical PC game release? Join the conversation in the comments.

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Theme song composed by Gardiner Bryant

Happy Halloween! This week on Off the Console, we cover the scariest gaming and tech news around. A Switch 2 emulator has landed, Valve has a plan for AI clone extortion, and Mass Effect’s future looks grim. We also remember Patrick Stewart and ask whether the AI bubble is finally popping.

In this episode:
• A Switch 2 emulator fork of Eden is out, and it can reportedly run Mario Kart World on Switch 1
• Valve’s response to AI game cloning and extortion, plus Steam Next Fest demos and AI disclosure
• Tim Sweeney vs. Steam’s AI disclosure, and how Arc Raiders handled AI
• Why a new Mass Effect was reportedly cancelled, and what’s next for BioWare
• Remembering Patrick Stewart
• AI-generated movies that flopped, and the AI Odyssey rabbit hole
• Google’s AI search results vs. its ad revenue, and GPU prices that keep climbing
• Plus Stage Tour (the new Rock Band-style game), Alan Wake 2 on the Steam Machine, and Gardiner’s new short fiction
Like, subscribe and share if you enjoyed the show. Tell us in the comments which AI movie we should suffer through for the bonus episode.

Note: this episode contains strong language and some spicy opinions.

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Theme song composed by Gardiner Bryant

This week on Off the Console, James, Hi-Tech Lo-Life, and Gardiner dig into a rough week for gaming. Next-gen console prices are rumored to land between $1,000 and $1,800, and Sony is killing off Blu-ray players. The Switch 2 has been jailbroken, and EA has shut down BioWare.

We also cover:

How AI-generated games are clogging up Steam Next Fest, and whether the backlash has gone too far

Why Castle Crashers with Vampire Survivors-style enemy density might be the best game idea nobody’s made yet

Game Pass running on Steam Deck and Linux through the Exodus Nexus launcher

Emulation vs. decompilation for Switch 2 preservation

Gardiner’s Show and Tell: a solar-powered Meshtastic repeater node

Physical media, vinyl, and whether Steam counts as game preservation

Mass Effect: Andromeda, live-service fatigue, and why fans and publishers share the blame

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and follow us on your favorite podcast app.

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Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/dVkKcZH2Qy

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Theme song composed by Gardiner Bryant

Valve’s newest hardware rollout is turning into a nightmare, and the fallout reaches far beyond the Steam Frame. If you’ve been waiting on the next wave of PC gaming gear, this episode breaks down why prices, shortages, and missing software support are making everything feel more expensive, more fragile, and a lot less fun.

High Tech Lo-Life is joined by regular co-hosts James and Gardiner for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with the Steam Frame reservation mess and spirals into the bigger story behind today’s gaming hardware slowdown. Gardiner shares his local TV appearance, newly launched puzzle game, and experiments with MeshTastic and LoRa radios, while James explains why Control deserves more love and why he thinks the future of gaming is being squeezed by rising costs.

They also discuss PS5 porting and emulation, Steam Hardware Survey trends, open-source alternatives to Adobe software, AI tools, platform lock-in, and the growing costs of gaming hardware.
For PC gamers, hardware obsessives, Linux tinkerers, indie game fans, and anyone looking for a blunt snapshot of where gaming and tech may be headed.

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#podcast #gamingnews

Theme song composed by Gardiner Bryant

In this episode of Off the Console, hosts Gardiner and HiTech discuss the latest in tech and gaming news, including the new Epic Games launcher, Fortnite’s upcoming release on Linux, and the implications for gaming on Linux systems. They also share personal updates and experiences with VR gaming and indie game development. In this conversation, the speakers delve into various aspects of gaming, including nostalgia for older operating systems, the future of Linux gaming, the impact of AI on game development, and the end of life for the Valve Index. They discuss the challenges of wireless VR solutions, the rise of eye tracking technology, and the anticipation surrounding GTA VI’s release. The conversation also touches on the high costs of gaming consoles and graphics cards, reflecting on the current market dynamics and trends. In this episode, the hosts discuss the current state of graphics cards, particularly the pricing and availability of high-end models. They delve into the implications of AI in gaming, including concerns about game demos being reverse-engineered. The conversation shifts to the Entertainment Software Association’s stance on emulation and the controversy surrounding ‘super fakes’ in the gaming industry. Finally, they compare the performance of DLSS and FSR technologies, concluding with some light-hearted recommendations for games.

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and follow us on your favorite podcast app.

Become a Patron! https://www.patreon.com/cw/OffTheConsole
Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/dVkKcZH2Qy

#podcast #gamingnews

Theme song composed by Gardiner Bryant