The Future of Consoles in AI, The Netflix Effect on the Theatre & New Anime of 2026!

It's 2026, bitch! Your favorite Blerds are back bringing you all of their thoughts on everything happening in nerd culture.  This week, Shannon and Jaja explore the evolution of gaming, discussing the impact of modern gaming engines, the rise of microtransactions, and the nostalgia for earlier gaming experiences. They delve into the role of AI in creativity, the potential of AR in gaming, and the changing landscape of movie theaters in the age of streaming. The discussion also touches on the social aspects of watching movies and the recent trend of theatrical releases for TV shows. Finally, they highlight anticipated anime releases for 2026, reflecting on the future of content consumption.   00:00-Welcome to 2026: New Year, New Goals  02:43-Holiday Reflections and Nerdy Resolutions 05:35-Gaming Adventures: What We've Been Playing 08:18-Diving into Manga and Anime 11:10-Nerdy Gifts and Collectibles 13:46-Industry News: AI and Gaming 16:23-The Future of Gaming Hardware Pricing 25:39-The Rising Costs of Gaming Hardware 36:29-The Future of Gaming Consoles 37:11-Nostalgia vs. Innovation in Gaming 49:49-The Impact of Age on Gaming Experience 51:54-Netflix's Ambitious Plans 54:22-Theatrical Experience of Stranger Things Finale 57:48-The Future of Movie Releases 01:01:23-Marvel's Doomsday and Theories  01:10:04-Exciting Anime Releases for 2026   Make sure to tell a friend to tell a friend about the Blerds and Nerds podcast and subscribe to us on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your podcast app of choice!     Follow Us!  https://linktr.ee/blerdsnerds   National Resources List https://linktr.ee/NationalResourcesList   Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK56I-TNUnhKhcWLZxoUTaw   Email us: [email protected]   Follow Our Social: https://www.instagram.com/blerdsnerds/ https://twitter.com/BlerdsNerds https://www.facebook.com/blerdsnerds https://tiktok.com/blerdsnerds_pod   Shannon: https://www.instagram.com/luv_shenanigans James: https://www.instagram.com/llsuavej  Jaja: https://www.instagram.com/jajasmith3