In this episode of M2 Podcast, we explore the deep cuts and shifting strategies shaking up the games industry. Warner Bros. reports a 48% drop in Q1 games revenue, pointing to no major releases and the underperformance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Square Enix unveils a three-year reboot plan aimed at consistent, high-quality, multiplatform game releases. Meanwhile, former Ubisoft director Guillaume Broche slams AAA development bloat, praising indie freedom as the true path to innovation. And Microsoft is back in the headlines with another massive layoff, cutting over 6,000 employees as it restructures for "agility"—just months after shuttering several studios. Let’s unpack the future these moves are shaping.

0:00 Intro

1:11 Updates

12:12 Warner Bros games revenue drops 48% in Q1 2025 https://tinyurl.com/mtnnmm7y

23:35 Square Enix Reveals Its Plan To "Reboot" https://tinyurl.com/25a464pb

32:41 Former Ubisoft director slams AAA dev bloat https://tinyurl.com/s5k527zf

53:06 Microsoft is laying off more than 6,000 employees https://tinyurl.com/bh7thxx5

1:03:12 Outro

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In this episode of M2 Podcast, we dive into Microsoft's sweeping Xbox price hikes—consoles, controllers, and even first-party games are getting more expensive worldwide. We also unpack Bungie’s bold Star Wars crossover with Destiny 2’s new Renegades expansion, lightsabers and all. Plus, EA teases a full Battlefield reveal coming this summer with a release still expected before April 2026. And leaked images of the Asus ROG Ally 2 confirm Microsoft’s Xbox-branded handheld is real—and it's packing serious heat. Let’s break it all down.

0:00 Intro

0:44 Updates

14:30 Microsoft is raising prices https://tinyurl.com/yc6xck43

23:29 Full Battlefield reveal coming “this summer" https://tinyurl.com/y9a6swfh

31:14 Destiny 2 is going Star Wars https://tinyurl.com/zvafycs7

38:28 Xbox handheld appears in leaked photos https://tinyurl.com/y4d8vf4v

47:06 Rockstar Games GTA 6

54:05 New Video Games for May

58:25 Outro

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In this episode of the M2 Podcast, we dig into EA's turbulent week, from cutting 300 jobs—including roughly 100 at Respawn—and reportedly canceling a Titanfall project, to spotlighting their impressive anticheat tech, EA Javelin, which boasts a 99% accuracy rate in banning cheaters. We also explore the shutdown of the iconic Wii Homebrew Channel amid serious code theft allegations that have rocked the modding scene. And finally, we check out the GPD Win Max 2, a pint-sized laptop that’s turning heads as a viable gaming handheld and desktop hybrid. There's a lot to unpack—let’s get into it!

0:00 Intro

1:09 Update

14:51 EA Cuts Around 300 Roles Reportedly Cancels Titanfall Game https://tinyurl.com/47hmk5fv

22:27 Wii Homebrew Channel development shuts down https://tinyurl.com/4whfw3dd

31:06 This surprisingly competent laptop https://tinyurl.com/2v8n38vu

46:47 EA Anticheat Bans Cheaters With 99% Accuracy https://tinyurl.com/3edzftd4

58:07 Outro

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In this episode of M2 Podcast, we explore how nostalgia might be Bethesda's secret weapon as the surprise remaster of Oblivion rekindles excitement among Elder Scrolls fans—just when the studio needed it most. We also dive into Fortnite’s upcoming Star Wars: Galactic Battle season, featuring the wild debut of Darth Jar Jar and Force Lightning. On the Nintendo front, we break down the growing shift toward Game-Key Cards for third-party Switch 2 titles in Japan and what that could mean globally. And finally, Xbox is changing how we shop on mobile, with new in-app purchase options—but at the cost of remote play. Let’s break it all down!

0:00 Intro

0:43 Updates

6:21 Oblivion Remake https://tinyurl.com/6k428szt

24:36 Fortnite Star Wars Darth Jar Jar https://tinyurl.com/3ckmzvms

34:12 Every physical third-party Switch 2 game is a Game-Key https://tinyurl.com/4fpdjy5n

44:32 Xbox will soon let you purchase games in its mobile app https://tinyurl.com/mr2u268n

54:10 Outro

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In this episode, we dive into the latest buzz surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2—including a surprising move by Nintendo that lets players borrow, resell, and trade digital games via new game-key cards. We also break down why Switch 2's GameChat might look a little choppy and why that's totally intentional. Plus, with Xbox announcing its next major showcase just days after the Switch 2 launch, we explore what Microsoft has planned—including a deep dive into The Outer Worlds 2. And in a unique twist, we spotlight a new Esports degree in the UK that’s turning competitive gaming into an academic path. Let’s get into it!

0:00 Intro

1:12 Updates

8:47 Switch 2 game-key cards might be fine https://tinyurl.com/yh9pnwwt

17:59 Nintendo defends choppy GameChat framerate https://tinyurl.com/34pd5y9t

27:06 Xbox’s games showcase streams in June https://tinyurl.com/4df6bzx2

37:09 Esports degree is more than gaming https://tinyurl.com/yc6n67zm

56:47 Outro

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In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2—from its hefty price tags to its impressive new tech. With Mario Kart World launching at $80 and accessories stacking up in cost, is Nintendo testing the limits of what fans will pay? Meanwhile, Nvidia has confirmed that the Switch 2 will feature DLSS and real-time ray tracing, promising major performance upgrades over its predecessor. But how does it stack up against the Steam Deck? We compare both handheld powerhouses, exploring how Nintendo’s latest console aims to challenge Valve’s popular PC gaming device. Tune in as we unpack the hype, the controversy, and what this all means for the future of portable gaming!

0:00 Intro

0:49 Updates

11:28 Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World, and Everything Is So Expensive https://tinyurl.com/24j3da8x

37:54 Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 – 4.2.2025 https://tinyurl.com/mw4b9vsx

1:06:58 Nintendo Switch 2 has DLSS and real-time ray tracing https://tinyurl.com/2nwmbnd3

1:12:08 How the Nintendo Switch 2 stacks up to the Steam Deck https://tinyurl.com/mrdvxrmm

1:27:46 Outro

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In this episode, we dive into some of the biggest gaming industry shake-ups. With GTA 6 looming on the horizon, publishers are scrambling to avoid releasing their titles in its wake, fearing the inevitable sales juggernaut. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. was reportedly working on a Mario Kart-style crossover racer featuring characters like Tom and Jerry, but the project was ultimately shelved. In brighter news, Game Informer is back after its abrupt shutdown last year, with its entire former staff returning under new ownership. Finally, Nvidia’s AI-powered G-Assist is now a reality, offering PC gamers an advanced tool for optimizing performance and even controlling RGB lighting.

0:00 Intro

0:51 Update

9:37 Publishers are scared of GTA 6 https://tinyurl.com/5byntjhy

21:35 We almost had a Mario Kart-like crossover game https://tinyurl.com/33j3hyky

30:48 Game Informer Is BACK https://tinyurl.com/3sukyvac

37:54 Nvidia’s AI is here to help https://tinyurl.com/4jt87x9f

53:22 Outro

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In this episode, we explore some of the biggest gaming industry updates and discussions. Bethesda's Todd Howard names Tetris and Pac-Man as the most important games of all time, while citing Super Mario Bros. and Doom as the most influential. Meanwhile, Hazelight’s Josef Fares has already started work on his next project following the success of Split Fiction, reaffirming the studio’s strong relationship with EA. Larian Studios’ CEO Swen Vincke pushes back against claims that single-player games are dying, asserting that they simply need to be good. Lastly, former Black Ops 3 director Jason Blundell is leading Sony’s new first-party studio, Dark Outlaw Games, promising exciting projects ahead.

0:00 Intro

1:30 Updates

14:00 Pac-Man and Tetris are "the two most important games of all time," https://tinyurl.com/3ewaba2b

24:34 Split Fiction's Josef Fares Has "Already Started" Next Game https://tinyurl.com/42kr37ad

35:00 "Single-Player Games Are Dead" Argument https://tinyurl.com/2tn6yk34

54:52 Former Treyarch studio co-head director starts new PlayStation studio https://tinyurl.com/2j2y32ap

1:06:30 Outro

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