In this episode of the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a packed week of gaming chatter. They kick things off with their latest pickups and what’s been spinning in their consoles, including early impressions of the charming new adventure Plucky Squire. The conversation heats up as they break down the Xbox Developer Direct 2026, spotlighting standout announcements and examining how Ubisoft’s recent wave of project cancellations could reshape the industry.
Amid the news roundup, the duo tackles one of the week’s biggest talking points: rumors that the PlayStation 6 may launch as a hybrid console, blending traditional power with portable flexibility. They explore what this could mean for Sony’s strategy and how it might shift the competitive landscape.
To wrap things up, John and Ryan jump into a deep-dive inflation–deflation challenge featuring Final Fantasy XIII, dissecting its combat, visuals, legacy, and whether its current market value holds up today.
00:00 Introduction to the Game Deflators Podcast01:54 Game Pickups and Current Playthroughs05:20 Challenges in Prince of Persia07:30 Exploring Plucky Squire10:51 Nostalgia and Movie References12:21 Speedrunning and Game Challenges17:09 Discussion on Game Licensing and Pricing20:45 The Future of Portable Consoles29:19 Xbox Developer Direct 2026 Insights38:46 The Evolution of Pokémon Games42:48 Excitement for Fable’s Return45:36 The Future of Fable: Choice and Consequence47:35 Ubisoft’s Project Cancellations and Studio Closures49:55 The Downward Spiral of Ubisoft: Management Issues54:32 Final Fantasy XIII: A Mixed Legacy
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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18
