170: Optionally Hard

170: Optionally Hard

Author: Jeff Gerstmann | Daylight Media September 10, 2025 Duration: 3:15:11
Let’s talk about the evolving nature of video game difficulty! Also: Borderlands 4 is out soon, let’s talk a little bit about that but mostly about the nature of that franchise! And more, including the anniversaries of the PlayStation and Dreamcast launches! Plus: Hollow Knight: Silksong, another potential reason for Switch 2 Game Key Cards, Sega calling the cops, preserving video games after the end of civilization, the weird history of publishers withholding review copies, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For years, Jeff Gerstmann has been a distinct voice cutting through the noise of the games industry, and that continues here. The Jeff Gerstmann Show-A Podcast About Video Games is exactly what it says, but delivered with a depth and perspective that only comes from decades of being in the trenches. Each week, Jeff draws from a deep well of personal experience, discussing not just the latest releases and industry news, but the broader culture and strange business decisions that shape the medium. The conversation often extends into the essential fuel that powers these marathon sessions-energy drinks-adding a layer of personal, offbeat humor. This isn't a rehearsed presentation or a corporate overview; it feels like getting analysis from a friend who has seen it all, for better or worse. Tuning into this podcast means hearing unfiltered opinions, historical context, and the kind of nuanced discussion that treats video games as both a serious art form and a frequently absurd hobby. It’s a consistent, thoughtful, and often funny download from someone who genuinely loves talking about games, hosted by Jeff Gerstmann and presented by Daylight Media.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Jeff Gerstmann Show - A Podcast About Video Games
Podcast Episodes
142: Similar To The New PlayStation 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:02:50
Warner cancels Wonder Woman and shuts down three studios, NetEase looks to make more cuts, Tony Hawk’s coming back with a couple more remakes, Microsoft tests some AI stuff… also Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves beta impre…
141: Managing Your Fiber Intake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:11:22
After a mess of visits and rain delays and bad scheduling, the time is now. Today is the day. Faster internet for me. But enough about that, let’s talk about how cool Avowed is. Also: more Tony Hawk remasters on the way,…
140: The Shenmue Centrist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:56:24
Spider-Man 2 gets patches on PC, PSN goes down and up, Warner tries to figure it all out, Football Manager takes an extra year, Eternal Strands, the impact of the Atari Jaguar, Nintendo’s shadowy ways, and more. Learn mo…
139: I Need A Tongue Scraper! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:09:59
I managed to find a new flavor of energy drink out there in my travels, so let’s give that a try before we get into Tokyo Xtreme Racer, the Treyarch co-founder that flew that drone, the end of Multiversus, Horizon finall…
138: Adam Boyes is Here! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:50:30
Adam Boyes joins us to talk about his time at companies like PlayStation, Capcom, and Iron Galaxy as well as his new operation, Vivrato. We’ll talk about the various challenges facing game developers these days and how A…
137: The Switch 2 Goes Mouse Mode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:59:22
After spending the last several days thinking about the Switch 2, I have some thoughts about the device, its capabilities, and its place in the market. Let’s discuss these joycon mouses, what that could mean for the futu…
136: The Switch 2 is Fine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:03:39
Wirecutter’s Arthur Gies joins us to discuss his time at CES getting up close and personal with the next batch of handheld PCs. Also: Is the Switch 2 about to be announced? Probably? Let’s talk about that, Ubisoft’s futu…
135: Two Thousand Dollars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:09:00
CES is upon us, which can mean only one thing: new announcements for a bunch of trash no one wants or needs! Oh, wait, there are also new graphics cards and handheld gaming machines getting announced, too. So three thing…
134: Whoops, It’s Warframe! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:05:03
Whoops, I accidentally got into Warframe. Even crazier? I think I might actually understand it now. I’ll tell you about my forays into that, we’ll talk a bit about the very little news happening out there, and then a mes…
133: Your Home For Skibidi Toilet News [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:05:36
Three will enter, two will leave! Let’s talk about next-generation console strategies. Also: the average person probably plays way fewer Steam games than you do, Xbox needs an overlay, Sega’s got plans for your subscript…