The Ringer-Verse

Gotta ’cast ’em all! First, Ben, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman form a fireteam to discuss Bungie’s long-awaited extraction shooter ‘Marathon.’ They forecast whether it’ll fare more like hit ‘ARC Raiders’ or flop ‘Highguard,’ examine the stakes for Sony’s big bets on Bungie and live-service games, and react to a possible revival of the PlayStation/Xbox console wars, followed by a “Rage Quit” rant about the backlash to promotional photos for video game adaptations such as ‘God of War.’ Then Ben brings on Charles Pulliam-Moore from The Verge to discuss the delights of Pokémon life-sim spinoff ‘Pokopia,’ its significance for Switch 2, and the Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary, evolution, and future, plus a second “Rage Quit” about the Trump administration coopting video games like ‘Pokopia’ to make memes.

Email us at [email protected]!

Intro (0:00)

‘Marathon’ first impressions (3:35)

Live service games discussion (39:11)

Are the PlayStation/Xbox console wars back? (43:56)

Rage quit! (48:32 )

First thoughts on 'Pokémon Pokopia’ (57:08)

Switch 2 discussion (1:19:25)

The future of Pokémon (1:22:16)

Rage quit vs. Trump (1:35:12)

Outro (1:46:23)

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guests: Matt James, Steve Ahlman, and Charles Pulliam-Moore

Producer: Devon Renaldo

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back, and this time they’re stepping into the role of CEO to discuss the projects they’d be green-lighting and IP moves they’d be making if they were at the helm of the Paramount–Warner Bros. megadeal.

(00:05) Intro(12:45) Armchair CEO(1:16:48) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve AhlmanProducers: Jamie and Devon BaroldiAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Short month, long episode! First, Ben Lindbergh and Charles Holmes extoll the virtues of one of their favorite fantasy stories, the anime series ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey's End,’ touching on its themes, influences, and characters, as well as why it makes a great gateway show for non-anime fans. They also discuss some other highlights of a peak period for anime (including ‘Journal With Witch’ and ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’), preview a few coming attractions, and take a detour with discussion of ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu.’ After that, other Ringer-Verse hosts, friends, and listeners salute unsung releases to top off another monthly roundup of fandom favorites from TV, anime, movies, video games, books, comics, and beyond that were released recently, but not yet covered in depth on a full-length episode.

Intro (00:00)

‘Frieren’ (03:04)

‘Journal With Witch’ (25:34)

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (37:15)

Van's recommendation (50:15)

Steve's recommendation (51:55)

Miles's recommendation (54:37)

Daniel's recommendation (56:21)

Devon's recommendation (58:30)

Arjuna's recommendation (59:32)

Matt's recommendation (61:29)

Listener nomination (69:03)

Recap of picks (71:13)

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guests: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Devon Renaldo, Daniel Chin, Miles Surry, Arjuna Ramgopowell, Matt James, Steve Ahlman

Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Matt James, and Joshua Rivera team up to take on one of the most anticipated video games of the year: 'Resident Evil Requiem,' the ninth mainline entry in the 30-year-old survival-horror franchise. First, they analyze the significance of Sony's shocking closure of Bluepoint Games, and an Xbox leadership shake-up. Then they compare their 'Resident Evil' histories, have an in-depth (but spoiler-free) discussion about how 'Requiem' weaves together different strands of the series, and offer their final verdicts on the game.

Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠!

Intro (0:00)

Patch Notes (3:00)

Bluepoint Closure (3:30)

Xbox Leadership Changes (10:40)

First Thoughts on ‘Resident Evil Requiem’ (29:11)

Mash or Pass? (1:10:50)

Outro (1:16:00)

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guest: Matt James and Joshua Rivera

Producer: Devon Renaldo

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boys are back and drafting the best Black TV shows of all time! From 'A Different World' to 'In Living Color' to 'Scandal,' they build their teams across five categories: sitcom, pre-'90s classic, UPN, Shondaland, and wild card. Who will come out on top?

(00:00) Intro(14:48) The Black TV Draft(1:50:00) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve AhlmanProducers: Jamie Yukich, Aleya Zenieris and Devon BaroldiAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices