The VGBees Podcast

VGBees
  • 4.7 (74)
  • Video Games
  • Updated Weekly

Host and founder of VGBees, John Warren, is joined every week by cohosts Niki Grayson and Lotus for candid, funny, and enlightening conversations about the video games industry and video games medium (two very different things). Every week, The VGBees Podcast will explore trends and touchpoints you need to know in order to have the most well-rounded idea of what's going on in games. Explore vgbees.com after each episode for notes on each episode as well as written pieces by our collaborators and guests. We all have to work together to build a brighter future for games, so Join The Honey Hive today! The VGBees Podcast is produced by Jordan Mallory with thumbnail art by LB Hunktears.

  1. 2d ago

    Ep 125: BioWare Shuts Down, Steam Next Fest Demos Removed Out of AI Cloning Fears

    This week, Lotus and John (complete with the worst sinus infection you've ever heard, sorry) dove right into the biggest news stories of the week, including the closure of BioWare, 350 additional layoffs across EA, and Steam Next Fest demos being removed out of fear of AI cloning (which we have questions about) 00:00:00 Intro & yes, he knows he sounds like Andre the Giant 00:04:32 Steam Next Fest demos removed citing fear of AI cloning 00:14:05 BioWare shut down among many other layoffs at EA 00:24:05 Lost & Found Co. gets new fun updates 00:26:58 Mon Laferte knows how to engage with the drama of stage performance 00:30:50 RADIOSOL creates an unforgettable sense of scale 00:37:20 Lotus went to Spooky Little Craft Fest! 00:46:09 Have you ever been successfully scammed? 00:48:48 Any advice for personal essay writing? 00:51:40 What's the ideal number of pillows on a bed? 00:52:40 Is a remix just music fanfiction? 00:54:18 What's the best thing about Halloween? 00:55:22 How do you pronounce "Whataburger?" 00:59:06 Review & Outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

  2. Oct 18

    Ep 124: Epic Goes Full AI, GTAVI on PC Q1 2027, Ubisoft Studio Closures

    This week, John, Niki, and (for about an hour, at least) Lotus ponder what makes a good games outlet name. Also, perhaps more importantly, Epic's full-throttle commitment to AI game production, Grand Theft Auto VI's potential PC release in Q1 2027, and more Ubisoft studio closures. 00:00:00 Intro & The Pepsi Challenge 00:11:00 Chris Kerr's Vertical Slice launches (and a very, very silly detour about race) 00:25:30 Epic goes all-in on AI; delays Marvel/Star Wars game 00:34:46 Grand Theft Auto VI reported to get Q1 2027 PC release 00:46:43 ESA requests Anbernic to be listed as "superfake;" for some reason tells everyone about FitGirl 00:50:56 More Ubisoft layoffs and studio closures 00:58:22 Why Big Walk isn't on Xbox 01:00:22 Nidhogg, yes Nidhogg, got a big new update this week 01:02:44 How do you deal with feeling deeply responsible for your direct reports at work? 01:09:20 How Fortnite has finally become the parody of itself casual observers have long said it to be 01:36:14 Star Wars Galactic Racer is the perfect size in the perfect form 02:10:50 Why do discussions of systemic issues sometimes get in the way of laying clear individual blame on bad actors? 02:12:42 Why do basketball players seem to be happier than football players? 02:25:45 What would cause this podcast to balloon to four hours? 02:27:28 How would you deal with a sudden shift to the metric system? 02:29:10 Is Biddy Blas a breakout star or an overplayed meme? 02:31:43 How do we feel about little tomatoes? 02:33:35 New review & outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

  3. Oct 11

    Ep 123: Double Fine's Union Misfire, Skydance Board, Bit Reactor Returns Furloughed Workers

    This week, Lotus, Niki, and John dove very deep into the surprisingly busy week of games news, including Kotaku's fascinating report about Double Fine's union misfire, Bobby Kotick joining the Skydance Board, and Star Wars Zero Company dev returning more than have their previously furloughed workers. 00:00:00 Intro & vaccine misinformation 00:12:30 Skydance's new games division 00:20:25 Skydance's new Board includes Bobby Kotick 00:26:59 Kotaku's explosive report about Double Fine's failed unionization attempt 00:58:05 NBA 2K25 to be delisted and servers shut down 01:18:38 Gamestop inflating price of pre-owned PlayStation 5 Pros 01:28:50 Wizards of the Coast union is expanding 01:30:07 Bit Reactor returns more than half of furloughed workers to company 01:33:15 Xbox creates new transmedia division XP 01:40:30 Lego Party is the best one of these around 01:43:40 Skate is even weirder than it was when it launched 01:51:50 Halloween costume plans or ideas this year? 01:53:55 Parking is $2 but validated parking is free...are you getting validated? 01:58:20 What would you change about your kitchen? 02:04:35 Gods With Badges is Strange Scaffold's latest...and it's got an interesting backstory 02:23:45 New AI-powered game demo is running $1000/day token bill 02:30:30 Capcom's new AI initiative deserves some clarification 02:51:37 Onimusha: Way of the Sword isn't that hard...yet 02:56:11 The Witcher 3 Remaster reminds us that being down bad for a beautiful woman is a great plot device 03:00:18 Doggy Don't Care puts you in the paws of a destructive pug 03:02:40 Highlights from Falling Block Jam 2026 03:06:37 Which Final Fantasy wardrobe are you copping? 03:12:10 Which fighting game archetype do you gravitate toward? 03:17:07 Crunchy Cheetos or Cheetos Puffs? 03:19:52 New five star review and Outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

  4. Oct 4

    Ep 122: Mike Tomlin's Minecraft City, 2XKO's Targeted Concurrent Figure, Dressmaker Impressions

    On this week's episode, the crew handle a slow news week by going very, very deep on Mike Tomlin's Minecraft city, 2XKO's missed concurrent player target, and impressions of cozy-yet-hardcore Dressmaker. 00:00:00 Intro, John's bad day, pallbearers for hire 00:26:45 2XKO's wild swing and miss for concurrent players 00:41:09 Mike Tomlin's Minecraft city inspired some big, big opinions from the crew 01:25:50 Control Resonant's open world features frustrating barriers 01:29:47 Dressmaker might be "cozy," but it's for the sickos 01:37:50 Niki made a photo zine! 01:43:57 HIVE QUESTIONS BEGIN; which person of the VGBees Zord is the bee's knees? 01:47:18 What were you proud of this week? 01:49:00 Which day is worse for being online: April 1 or May 4? 01:52:34 How long do you have to play a game to say you have played it? 01:55:52 How clean are your floors? 02:00:42 Which bread makes the best toast? 02:08:00 What was the last thing you did that you would consider to be whimsical? 02:10:32 Would you eat a hot dog with nothing else on it?; How big is too big for a Metroidvania? 02:12:00 What's your favorite PAC match? 02:15:20 What's the most centrist RPG? 02:17:40 What switches games journalism to games eschatology? 02:23:57 Is taking a pill that was on the floor safe? 02:26:30 Asha Sharma gives you her personal cell number, what are you doing with it? 02:29:00 Why does VGBees not concern itself with playing every new major release? 02:34:11 Is there a button in your house that is satisfying to push? 02:36:25 Mario and Sonic split; how are they splitting the Olympics games? 02:38:38 What's the dumbest media you've enjoyed lately? 02:39:45 How can someone be redeemed and reenter a community after true harm is done?; HIVE QUESTIONS END 02:51:20 Show Reviews & Outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

  5. Sep 27

    Ep 121: New Xbox Layoffs, Activision Making Next Halo, Bungie Reviving Destiny

    This week, Lotus, John, and Niki tackle a very busy week of games news, including a new round of Xbox layoffs, Xbox studio consolidation, Activision making the next Halo game, and Bungie's unvaulting of Destiny 2 content. 00:00:00 Intro & Niki's big trip 00:14:30 Xbox's latest layoffs and consolidations 00:50:42 Undead Labs goes independent; State of Decay 3 still aiming for 2027 release 00:56:55 World's Edge loses half staff and one upcoming project 00:58:34 King union wins their collective bargaining agreement; will avoid strike 01:01:11 A sudden discussion about cigarettes and food waste 01:09:25 The People Make Games Bobby Kotick story 01:17:30 Tim Schafer opens up a bit about Microsoft turmoil 01:21:35 Bungie isn't done with Desinty after all 01:41:40 Lotus finished Roman Sands RE:Build 01:47:47 How Niki made their Annie's Mac n Cheese 01:50:32 Niki played Control Resonant and loves that it is divisive 02:05:45 The Travis Scott track on the GTA6 soundtrack is pretty good 02:07:00 HIVE QUESTIONS 02:46:30 Outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

  6. Sep 20

    Ep 120: Zach Cregger's Resident Evil, BlizzCon 2026, Roblox Standalone Games

    This week, Niki, John, and Lotus discussed the biggest news stories of the week, including a look at Zach Cregger's Resident Evil, numerous head-scratching announcements from BlizzCon, and the news that Roblox is working toward a future providing standalone games to multiple platforms. 00:00:00 Intro & sorting through John's will 00:11:30 BlizzCon 2026: games that might not come out and what will we do with three World of Warcraft SKUs? 00:25:30 King's unionized workers are about to strike, which prompted a very deep conversation about the nature of monetized free to play mobile games 01:00:00 Roblox is going to release standalone games among other worrisome updates 01:04:40 Hyper Light Drifter's Heart Machine is facing closure after publishing pull 01:08:55 Game Developer dot com facing staff shakeup; IGN lays off many long-tenured staff 01:12:25 Resident Evil solidifies Zach Cregger as one of horror's best active directors 01:26:42 Niki bought a PlayStation Portal 01:37:40 Lotus' time so far with Roman Sands RE:Build 01:50:35 Carly Rae Jepsen's new double album is out; John watches the Barenaked Ladies rendition of "O Canada" 02:00:00 HIVE QUESTIONS 02:42:42 Outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

  7. Sep 13

    Ep 119: Ocarina of Time Remake, Sony Drops Kojima, Blizzard's Massive Union Contract

    This week, John, Niki, and Lotus dove into both Nintendo Directs, the stunning news that Sony is dropping Hideo Kojima's next projects, and Blizzard's new union formation just ahead of Blizzcon. 00:00:00 Intro & our new tagline 00:10:03 Ocarina of Time is changing for modern audiences 00:34:54 Samus is hungry in Metroid Ravenous 00:37:00 Kirby and the World Beyond is perhaps the biggest adventure yet in the franchise 00:43:50 Powerwash Simulator dev lays off staff in extremely strange way 00:49:09 Big game-spoiling achievements were leaked from Steam 00:53:55 Blizzard employees form union protecting 1,900 staff 00:59:35 Sony drops Kojima projects, Xbox takes over, big conversation about game direction ensues 01:31:10 Nintendo's tariff sale 01:36:08 Grand Theft Auto VI preview apparently drives 100,000 Netflix sign-ups 01:43:43 Tony is a slice of a biopic that manages to tell a lot of Anthony Bourdain's story 01:48:20 The gang is split on the success of Coyote vs Acme 02:07:45 Niki is very much enjoying the reboot of The Grand Tour 02:18:55 iPhone Duo is weird but might just work 02:27:20 HIVE QUESTIONS 02:42:59 Outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

  8. Sep 6

    Ep 118: Star Wars Zero Company Furloughs, Xbox Cloud Limits, Pablo Torre & Games Journalism

    This week, Lotus, Niki, and John discuss the Star Wars Zero Company furloughs, the new limits on Xbox Cloud for Game Pass, and the explosive Pablo Torre stories have the hosts asking, "why don't we have this kind of investigative journalism in games?" 00:00:00 Intro & John's extremely beautiful voice 00:07:18 Star Wars Zero Company devs furloughed ahead of game's release 00:15:30 SteamDB is now under Nexus Mods' parent ownership 00:21:10 Xbox introducing harsh limits on cloud gaming on Game Pass 00:31:20 PlayStation says users know they don't own digital games and how common gamers are unequipped to fight this 00:47:50 Pablo Torre exposed the Los Angeles Clippers and now we're wondering where all the investigative gaming journalism is 01:16:20 Niki wants to know why they can't lock into games they want to be excited about 01:22:30 HIVE QUESTIONS 01:36:45 Outro Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot. VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/join VGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.

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About

Host and founder of VGBees, John Warren, is joined every week by cohosts Niki Grayson and Lotus for candid, funny, and enlightening conversations about the video games industry and video games medium (two very different things). Every week, The VGBees Podcast will explore trends and touchpoints you need to know in order to have the most well-rounded idea of what's going on in games. Explore vgbees.com after each episode for notes on each episode as well as written pieces by our collaborators and guests. We all have to work together to build a brighter future for games, so Join The Honey Hive today! The VGBees Podcast is produced by Jordan Mallory with thumbnail art by LB Hunktears.

Information

  • Creator
    VGBees
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    137
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 VGBees
  • Show Website
    The VGBees Podcast

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