Ep 106: Xbox Preparing Layoffs, Nintendo Direct, Pokemon Go Military Defense Data

Lotus, Niki, and John recovered from Summer Game Fest 2026 and reconvened (in home studios, not John's car) to discuss an extremely busy news week, including Xbox preparing major layoffs, Nintendo Direct revealing the Ocarina of Time remake, and more information dropping about Pokemon Go and its role in data gathering for defense purposes.00:00:00 Intro & how waffle fries are madeGo to nogamesforgenocide.com to learn more about the BDS movement and Microsoft's continued role in the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.00:08:20 Asha Sharma writes memo to Xbox staff; heavy layoffs reported00:25:00 Xbox console exclusives are returning00:37:30 Lotus' 50 most anticipated indies from the week's showcases00:40:10 Nintendo Direct reveals Ocarina of Time remake; is Nintendo bored?00:47:10 Kingdom Hearts IV is here and looks like it looks00:49:00 Final Fantasy Resonance strips the gacha out of mobile game inspiration00:52:00 God of War Laufey creates an interesting branch for the series00:55:37 How do waffle fries work? (part 2)00:56:38 RGG wants to explore what Tupac's life could've been in Stranger Than Heaven01:01:17 PlayerUnknown facing layoffs01:03:56 RPG Maker forums shuttering and migrating01:11:20 Team17 eliminating marketing department01:13:24 Crazy Taxi reboot working with generative AI art flow01:16:45 GOG sends out email with Nazi symbols in subject line01:25:06 Ubisoft shutting down two studios01:28:05 Pokemon Go likely being used to collect data for defense contracts01:31:15 Blood Dungeon is Vampire Survivors in platformer mode01:35:10 Onimusha: Way of the Sword is perfectly competent action combat from Capcom01:40:18 John (almost) corrects the record on last week's Code Veronica misadventure01:43:55 NBA The Run is a shallow facsimile of better arcade basketball games01:46:20 Niki opens a Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes pack01:50:45 Lotus went to Distant Worlds (the Final Fantasy concert) and did not have a great time02:19:25 We answer your burning Hive Questions02:44:06 OutroThanks 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/joinVGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus.