e559 – Welcome to the Matrix

e559 – Welcome to the Matrix

Author: Michael Rowe, Michael Martine, Andy Piper June 29, 2026 Duration: 26:40

Photo by Francis Painchaud on Unsplash

Published 29 June 2026

e559 with Michael R and Andy – it’s a catch-up and geek out on things we’ve been doing, games we’ve been playing, and topics we’ve been thinking about… including Apple history, Retro Computing, and self-hosting services.

A slightly different show format this week, as Michael R and Andy decide not to cover the weekly news stories and links… and instead catch up with one another, across a range of topics.

Michael has backed a new Kickstarter, for a podcast talking about Apple’s background and history in California. Andy talks about his recent visit to the Retro Computer Museum in Leicester, UK.

Then, there’s a discussion of Andy’s latest work project, a new role at the Matrix.org Foundation. There’s a dive into what the Matrix protocol is and how it is used; Michael is considering whether it might be worth trying as an alternative to existing tools for our podcast workflow.

They also stop to discuss Markdown; Michael traces it back to Waterloo Script on IBM 3081 and WordPerfect’s Reveal Codes. Andy brings up Google Cloud’s “Open Knowledge Format” (essentially Markdown + YAML front matter) as an AI-readable standard.

The gaming section covers Michael ordering the D&D-themed Demeo game. Andy has neglected his Meta headset for six months but has been hooked on Forza Horizon 6.

Finally Michael wants a single “home page” for all of his communities (Slack, Discord, RSS, forums). Andy uses Glance on his homelab for a dashboard, with Uptime Kuma monitoring the show’s infrastructure.

Thanks for joining our one-to-one this week! Let us know what you thought!

Selected links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUSX1Hm201c


The weekly conversation hosted by Michael Rowe, Michael Martine, and Andy Piper, Games At Work dot Biz, explores the intersection where our digital play and professional lives collide. This isn't just a review show; it's a deep dive into the technology that powers our hobbies, the business behind the leisure, and the cultural news shaping both worlds. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair with three friends who are as passionate about the craft of game development and the evolution of hardware as they are about the pure joy of finding a great new title. You'll hear specific discussions on everything from the latest graphics card impacting performance to the narrative design of an indie darling, all filtered through the lens of professionals who live in the tech space. The Games At Work dot Biz podcast operates on the belief that the games we play and the tools we use are inextricably linked, offering listeners a consistently thoughtful and engaging analysis that goes far beyond a simple score. Tune in for a regular dose of insightful commentary where the serious business of technology meets the serious fun of games.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Games At Work dot Biz
Podcast Episodes
e546 — Smart Play Doom Brain Brick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:12
e543 with Andy, Michael and Michael - stories and discussion on #LEGO’s new #SmartPlay brick, this is a human brain (cells) on #Doom, #OrcAudio for #vibecoding, #LiquidDeath’s Spotify #urn for playlist #immortality and a…
e545 – Cyberpunk pot holes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:42
Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash Published 2 March 2026 e545 with Andy and Michael - Get to talk about mostly non-AI topics this week, as we look at a cool kickstarter, Titan, that is building out a futuristic ga…
e544 — Are We Bananas? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:35
This week's episode dives into the latest on AI devices, privacy issues, and tech giants like Apple and Meta. Plus, some fun chats about listening through fruit and the fate of VR.
e543 — Rent-a-Anything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:08
e543 with Andy, Michael and Michael - #AgenticAI and the changing nature of work, #agents #RentingHumans, #RealTimeTranslation, artistic #roads, #e-bikes for your feet and a whole lot more.
e542 — Vibe Coding Vowels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:01
e542 with Michael, Andy and Michael - Stories and discussion on #ProgrammingLanguage #localization, #VirtualBoy #hardware & #emulation, #AR & #LaserKeyboard, #LEGO terrestrial & orbital #dwellings and a whole lot more.
e541 — Invisible Llamas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:33
e541 with Michael & Michael: Stories and discussion on #AI with local #Claude (and #Clawdbot, #Moltbot & #openclaw), collaborative #agents, 25 cent physical #microtransactions ( #quarters ), #InvisibilityCloaks, #LEGO #S…
e540 — Saucer Separation Button [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:29
e540 with Michael, Andy and Michael - Stories and discussion on #MobileControllers, #AI playing #Anchorhead, #Zork & #RollerCoasterTycoon, an #isometric #NYC, human artistic #creativity and a whole lot more.
e539 — Wikipedia is 25! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:29
Michael R interviews Ian Hughes to discuss recent changes at Meta, Apple, and Wikipedia. They explore how large company layoffs can create opportunities for startups and highlight innovative uses for VR following Meta's…
e538 — MagSafe Stacking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
e538 with Michael M and Andy - Stories and discussion on #CES2026, #EuroTech, #PhoneTech, #AI playing your games for you so you can watch and a whole lot more.
e537 — Reading, Listening & Building Together [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:13
e537 with Michael M and Andy - ringing in the new year with the amazing power of #music to move and #heal, #LEGO and #retro #builds and a whole lot more.