Normal People Gaming

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.

Normal People Gaming is a leisure podcast hosted by Normal People, with 12 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Normal People hosts Normal People Gaming, a leisure show with 12 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Normal People Gaming

  GTA 6 Cover Story, Witcher 3 Remaster & Xbox News | NPG Ep. 16

  Oct 1, 20261h 1m

  GTA 6 is taking over Game Informer with a 14-page cover story, and a years-old 4chan post that got GTA 6 details right has L.A. Noire 2 rumors heating up again. Michael and Duane break it all down.Plus: The Witcher 3 Remastered is out today as a free upgrade, Xbox Disc to Digital rolls out to everyone, Mythic Achievements are on the way, and the Guillermo del Toro BioShock movie that almost happened, until some "disastrous phone calls."Normal People Gaming is a weekly live show about gaming news from two regular dudes who just love games. Drop your take in the comments: is L.A. Noire 2 real? We'll have more to say in the post-show, available soon to Patreon and YouTube members.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Intro1:03 Halloween costume plans4:20 Duane's pick: Clive Barker's Hellraiser Revival9:00 What we're playing: TCG Card Shop Simulator & No Man's Sky12:11 GTA 6 Game Informer cover story14:43 GTA 6's $400 collector's box (no game included)20:03 Xbox Disc to Digital25:52 Xbox Mythic Achievements28:40 More Last of Us & Intergalactic29:22 The "woke meter" review site34:06 The Witcher 3 Remastered36:47 Heroes of the Storm's first new hero in 6 years38:46 L.A. Noire 2 rumors & the 4chan leak45:04 Guillermo del Toro's BioShock movie46:44 Video game movies: Mortal Kombat & Street Fighter50:35 Pokémon TCG player hygiene52:31 Gears of War: E-Day54:08 Metal Gear Solid 2's first boss skip58:06 God of War Laufey pre-orders59:40 Wrap-upJoin our Discord!https://discord.gg/mAqzE9mCBwJoin our Patreon!patreon.com/NormalPeopleGaming

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  Episode #15

  Should Video Games Stop Holding Your Hand? | NPG Ep. 15

  Sep 25, 20261h 12m

  Is Wolverine proof that video games hold your hand too much? Marvel's Wolverine is selling like crazy, but its design has players debating how much games should guide you. Michael and Duane get into it.Plus: Xbox shakes up its studios with Halo heading to Activision and Obsidian joining Bethesda, a ton of Bethesda news, Fable, GTA 6, BlizzCon, and TCG Card Shop Simulator with the upcoming Stage Tour. We also talk about Starfield. Weird!Normal People Gaming is a show about gaming news from two regular dudes who just love games. Drop your take in the comments: should games hold your hand or let you figure it out? Subscribe so you don't miss the next one.Join our Discord!https://discord.gg/mAqzE9mCBwJoin our Patreon!patreon.com/NormalPeopleGaming

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  Normal People Gaming

  What 2025's Top Releases Mean For Gaming In 2026

  Jan 6, 20261h 4m

  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?

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  Episode #13

  The Discussion We SHOULD Be Having About Game Pass

  Oct 6, 202558 min

  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!

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  Episode #12

  Why Game Devs Should Never Sell Their Studios

  Jul 11, 202554 minS0

  <p>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?</p><p>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.</p><p>🎮 Topics include:</p><p>The Subnautica dev dra...

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