Normal People Gaming

Normal People
  • 5.0 (5)
  • VIDEO GAMES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Normal People play games and Michael and Duane are the normalest of all. Get the latest news, jokes and discussion surrounding all the weird stuff happening with our favorite hobby.

  1. JAN 6

    What 2025's Top Releases Mean For Gaming In 2026

    2025 delivered some of the most revealing signals the industry has seen in years—and not from the usual blockbuster suspects. In this episode, we break down the breakout indie success of Clair Obscur and Arc Raiders, and why their reception says more about the future of gaming than any annual franchise release. From player trust and long-term support to pacing, tone, and mechanical restraint, these games highlight what audiences are actually responding to right now. We also dig into the growing backlash against AI usage in games. Where it’s being rejected outright, where it might still have value, and how misuse risks eroding player confidence. Is AI a creative tool, a cost-cutting shortcut, or a ticking PR time bomb? Looking ahead to 2026 it seems there's a bigger question:What lessons will studios take from 2025, and which ones will they ignore?

    1h 4m

  2. 10/06/2025

    The Discussion We SHOULD Be Having About Game Pass

    Xbox just dropped a huge bombshell: Game Pass is jumping from $20 to $30/month—and gamers are NOT happy. In this episode of Normal People Gaming, Duane and Michael dive deep into the Game Pass controversy, whether the new price hike is worth it, and what it really means for Xbox fans.We also share what we’re currently playing—Cyberpunk 2077, Dying Light: The Beast—and preview one of the most exciting upcoming games of 2025: Arc Raiders, a brand-new extraction shooter from the creators of The Finals. Plus, shout-outs to Borderlands 4, Game Informer’s Sierra feature, and more.🎮 Topics in this episode:Xbox Game Pass price hike explained ($30 Ultimate tier)What’s new: Fortnite perks + Ubisoft Classics libraryIs Game Pass still worth it in 2025?Cyberpunk 2077 vs Starfield’s “sanitized” M-ratingDying Light: The Beast first impressionsWhy Arc Raiders could be the next big extraction shooterShout-outs: Borderlands 4 & Sierra Games👾 Join the Normal People community:👉 Discord: https://discord.gg/3AX5nfqutd👉 Patreon: https://patreon.com/NormalPeopleGaming💬 Question of the week:What do YOU think about Xbox Game Pass at $30/month—still worth it or time to cancel? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

    58 min

  3. 07/12/2025

    Why Game Devs Should Never Sell Their Studios

    In this episode of Normal People Gaming, Michael and Duane dive into one of the most shocking stories in the industry: how the creators of Subnautica were fired from their own company after selling to Krafton. Along with many other similar stories! Is this just business—or is it a warning to every indie developer? We also catch up on what we’ve been playing lately (like Clair Obscur), break down some surprising headlines, and talk about what keeps us excited about gaming even when the news gets grim. 🎮 Topics include: The Subnautica dev drama When selling your studio backfires What we’ve been playing Staying positive in a chaotic industry 👉 Hit play and let’s get into it. 💬 Join the conversation in our Discord: ⁠ https://discord.gg/3AX5nfqutd⁠ 🎧 Listen ad-free on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/NormalPeopleGaming⁠

    54 min

  4. 05/23/2025

    Cleaning Up Crime Scenes and Reviving Boomer Shooters

    📦 Sponsored by Magic Mind: Try it today and use code NORMAL60 for 60% off:https://www.magicmind.com/normal60In this episode of Normal People Gaming, we dive into the weird, the wild, and the wonderfully dark world of video games. Michael becomes obsessed with Crime Scene Cleaner, a gory and hilarious indie sim where you mop up murder scenes (before the cops arrive). Meanwhile, Expedition 33 sits untouched on his hard drive.We also discuss:🎮 Randy Pitchford’s $80 Borderlands 4 controversy🎮 The rise of “boomer shooters” like DOOM: The Dark Ages🎮 Simulators gone wild—from Firefighter Sim to Coffee Shop VR🎮 Games we're buying (and ignoring)🎮 Your comments!💬 Join the conversation in our Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/3AX5nfqutd⁠🎧 Listen ad-free on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/NormalPeopleGaming⁠

    50 min

  5. 05/12/2025

    GTA 6 Trailer Hype, Jiggle Physics & the $80 Game Era

    Michael and Duane kick off this week’s show by unpacking Rockstar’s record-shattering GTA 6 trailer—from the jaw-dropping lighting engine to the surprisingly subtle (yet headline-grabbing) booty physics. That sparks a broader dive into the long, bumpy history of “jiggle physics,” from Dead or Alive: Beach Volleyball to modern Pixar-level character animation, and why believable body movement no longer has to feel gratuitous. Next up, the guys weigh Ubisoft’s newly revealed Assassin’s Creed Shadows roadmap, celebrate the cozy diorama builder Tiny Glade, and debate whether looming console tariffs and special-edition pricing are about to make $80 the new normal for AAA games. (Spoiler: GTA could probably charge $119.99 and still smash sales records.) In listener-comment corner, we respond to hot takes on Oblivion’s lock-picking, Ghost Recon Wildlands’ Bethesda vibes, and cultural concerns around AC Shadows’ Japanese setting. Plus: Fallout 4’s Nuka-World nostalgia, the eternal Skyrim re-rebuy question, and why beer foam and ragdoll physics both deserve more love. Chat with us and other fans in our discord:https://discord.gg/3AX5nfqutd Get the podcast ad-free and early by supporting our Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/NormalPeopleGaming

    59 min

  6. 04/25/2025

    Nostalgia vs. New Blood — Two Takes on the Oblivion Remaster

    Nostalgia vs. New Blood — Two Takes on the Oblivion Remaster Get the podcast ad-free and early by supporting our Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/NormalPeopleGaming Chat with us and other fans in our discord:https://discord.gg/3AX5nfqutd What happens when a 2006 classic drops in 2025 with a fresh coat of Unreal Engine polish?Michael (the battle-scarred Oblivion veteran) and Duane (the wide-eyed first-timer) fire up the shadow-dropped remaster and compare notes on: Retro charm vs. modern shine – why the game still screams “2005” even while the forests look next-gen gorgeous. Exploits, Umbra chases & lock-picking woes – Duane speed-levels like a gremlin while Michael tries (and fails) to play it straight. What Bethesda tweaked (hello, sprint button!) and the little UI quality-of-life touches you’ll notice only after a few hours. Sales shocker – 2 million copies in 12 hours; sorry, Mike Ybarra, nostalgia isn’t dead. Will this open the floodgates? Fallout 3 remaster hype, layered-engine tricks, and why some remakes are worth the trouble. ⏩ Lightning-round news:• Switch 2 supply-chain chaos• Subnautica 2 heads to Early Access (with co-op!)• RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business earns the side-eye• Quick hits on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Marvel Rivals, and more Plus: legendary Patreon shout-outs, Discord antics, and the debut of the show’s new video format. Grab your lockpicks and meet us in Cyrodiil—whether you’re brand-new or rocking full Daedric nostalgia, this episode has a take for you.

    1h 7m

  7. 03/08/2025

    Should More Be Done In Game Preservation?

    Michael and Duane lament Warner Brothers' shutdown of Monolith studio and discuss the efforts made in game preservation by companies like Good Old Games. We also talk about Avowed, Uncharted and more!

    57 min

  8. 12/12/2024

    When is a Game 'Inspired' and when is it a Rip-off?

    In this episode, Michael and Duane talk about the pros and cons of playing Robocop: Rogue City, the old trope of Punk Rocker Villains, and where we would draw the line between inspiration and outright copying someone else’s game. Get the podcast ad-free and early by supporting our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NormalPeopleGaming Chat with us and other fans in our discord: https://discord.gg/3AX5nfqutd

    58 min
See All (14)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Normal People play games and Michael and Duane are the normalest of all. Get the latest news, jokes and discussion surrounding all the weird stuff happening with our favorite hobby.

Information

  • Creator
    Normal People
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Normal People
  • Show Website
    Normal People Gaming