Colette & Matt Have Entered the Chat
by Colette & Matt
Colette Bennett and Matt Silverman chat weekly about the most important topic in human civilization: video games. They discuss games they’re playing, gaming news, online communities, streaming culture, and emerging trends in virtual and augmented reality.
Episodes
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265 RIP BioWare (1995 - 2026)
We now return to Tooth Talk, already in progress. Colette lost 4 wisdom teeth, but gained a SICK new gaming PC! We also mourn the loss of the legendary RPG studio BioWare, and speculate about the new golden age of STAR WARS games. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ…
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264 Gotta. Go. Fast.
Colette takes a break from the Silent Hill slog to design some Bridgerton garments in the hit indie "Dressmaker," which is sweeping the nation. Matt is playing the $70 visual novel "Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave" with occasional dips into the mind-blowing speed of "Star Wars: Galactic Racer."…
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263 Please Look At This 2D/3D Dungeon Crawler Immediately
Colette updates us on her SILENT HILL: Townfall playthrough, which opens up a great discussion on when we want power fantasies, and when we want to be vulnerable in games. Matt shares his final thoughts on STAR WARS Zero Company, a really good game that is just too broken to recommend. And we...
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262 Pros and Cons of the New "Resident Evil" Movie
Before we get into video games, we take a few minutes to fix the entire world. You're welcome. Also, Colette saw the new "Resident Evil" movie TWICE and has some T H O U G H T S. Plus: Matt recounts his 10 years playing "No Man's Sky" and the new update that celebrates the game's community. Items...
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261 Steam Link to the Past
We're catching up on 2 weeks of game news, with Nintendo firing on all cylinders for Zelda, Metroid, and Kirby. Meanwhile, the Steam Frame is finally here, bringing fascinating VR innovation and a prohibitive price tag. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the…
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260 The Curious Case of "Star Wars: Zero Company"
September is about to hit real hard with new games, but before we get to big new releases, Colette and Matt catch up on joint health, Big Walk, and why the broken, jank-ass tactics RPG "Zero Company" might be the best Star Wars game in a long time. Items discussed in this episode:...
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259 gamescom more like lamescom
This week we clock the all the game announcements that caught our attention at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026. Also, why Alien games are too spoopy for Colette, and Matt gets a package from Amazon dot com. https://www.eurogamer.net/everything-announced-at-gamescom-opening-night-live-2026 Join…
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258 Skibidi Toilet Rewatch Podcast
This week we discuss the changing nature of game dev employment during Late Stage Capitalism — complicated, of course, by the rise of generative AI. But first: The enduring cultural impact of Skibidi Toilet. Items discussed in this week's episode:...
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257 "Splatoon Raiders" Is a Fun-Ass Video Game
If PvP Splatoon is too sweaty for you, but you DO love Monster Hunter, Diablo, and Vampire Survivors, don't sleep on Splatoon Raiders. Matt explains how Nintendo's latest gets its hooks in from the word "go." Colette returns to the incredibly popular farming indie "Fields of Mistria" as it nears…
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256 Shocker: Video Game Corporations Don't Want to Refund Illegal Tariffs
In February, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the traitor-in-chief's batshit tariffs are illegal. So the extra hard-earned money we all spent on phones, computers, and game consoles should come back to us, right? RIGHT?! Nintendo says "no," and would like to keep your money instead, citing the...
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255 "Papers, Please" But Make It Spoopy
The Chat returns, now in exclusive audio form! Colette shares her personal/professional update, and we conveniently ignore all bad news to focus on: Video Games! (and Magic cards that feature video games) Items discussed in this episode:...
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254 Video Games Are Only For Billionaires Now 💸
The Steam Machine pricing is live, and it's not pretty. But as every single device that plays games suddenly gets more expensive, the value proposition gets far more complex. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:...
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253 We Think You'll Love 'Spirit Crossing' 🏮
This week we invent a new game genre and copyright it so that we can become future billionaires. Colette breaks down the demo of the Twin Peaks-infused detective game Silver Pines, and we share our newfound love for Spirit Crossing, which combines the best parts of Animal Crossing, Journey…
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252 Our Favorite Announcements From Sony's June State of Play
Games are coming out! Lots of them! And some of them even look really good! Fire up your wish lists for Sony's latest State of Play. https://www.eurogamer.net/everything-announced-sonys-playstation-state-of-play-june-2026 Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the...
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251 Love at First Light
Good news: The Steam Deck came back in stock. Bad news: It's $200 more expensive and already sold out. This week, we discuss how global supply chains are pricing normal people (and kids) out of video games, and what that means for the future of the medium. Plus: Building the '90s video store of…
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250 The Steam Controller Is the Best Gamepad I've Ever Touched
Roblox needs to be regulated out of existence according to Rich Stanton at PC Gamer, and we wholeheartedly agree. We discuss the profit machinations that incentivize kids to make games that fleece other kids. Colette continues her Resident Evil adventures with DLC for RE4, and opens the doors on...
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249 There Sure Are a Lot of People Playing Subnautica 2 Right Now
Subnautica 2 released in Early Access this week. Within 1 hour, there were 100,000 people playing it on Steam alone. By mid-day, there were half a million. By the end of it, they had sold 2 million copies and counting. Colette & Matt discuss how this indie darling shot to the top everyone's...
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248 We Need to Talk About the New Star Fox Game
Welcome back to CMS Talk, your number one podcast for content management systems! Also, it sucks to want a Steam Controller when you can't have it. And Nintendo surprised everyone with a brand new Star Fox game that's actually a very old Star Fox game? Join our Discord community:...
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247 The Steam Controller Is (Almost) Here, and It's Actually NOT Expensive
May the 4th be with us, one and all, when the Steam Controller officially goes on sale at 10am PT / 1pm ET. Will you be getting one? Roblox continues to be cancer, we go deeper down the Vampire Crawlers rabbit hole, and another auto-battling survival game with a twist. Games and news discussed in...
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246 Poncle Has Big Plans for a Struggling Games Industry
A mysterious video uploaded to Steam might finally hint at incoming hardware. Also, who gets their money back when illegal tariffs are struck down? And we dig in on both Vampire Crawlers, the new game from Survivors studio Poncle, and their new ventures into indie incubation and game engine...
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245 GTA Online Makes $1 Million a DAY, But We'd Rather Play This Adorable Cooking Game
Colette has a new job, and it's...actually great? Social media still sucks, Rockstar keeps dat cheddar flowing from a 13 year old game, trivia returns, and we mix a cooking sim with ... Persona? Also, PIRATES. 🏴☠️ Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show…
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244 JUMP SPACE Might Be the Space Game I've Been Waiting For
OK, hear us out: What if we start an X-Files re-watch podcast? Surely no one has thought of that yet? Colette continues her Resident Evil residency with the remake of the 3rd installment, yet the side content of RE2 still calls. Meanwhile, Matt has played every spaceship game on Steam and decided...
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243 You Should Try The 'Tomodachi Life' Demo
Colette goes back to 2019 for the Resident Evil 2 Remake, which itself goes back to 1998. Plus, a cozy mobile life sim, and the glorious reasons you should fire up the Tomodachi Life demo on Switch. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:...
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242 We Have Questions About Nvidia's New DLSS 5
Nvidia unveiled its next AI upscaling tech for video games, and it...sure is something! We discuss our concerns and hope for this kind of tech. Plus: More Resident Evil nonsense and the Twin-Stick Shooter renaissance. Games and articles discussed in this episode:...
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241 Resident Evil, but Make It Sexy
Have you tried playing Resident Evil Requiem nude? Games discussed: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3764200/Resident_Evil_Requiem/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/3010610/LOVE_ETERNAL/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/3241970/Heroes_of_Might_and_Magic_Olden_Era_Demo/...
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240 "Vampire Crawlers" Is Not Your Average Deck Builder
Steam Next Fest is here, "Stardew Valley" turns 10, and Poncle is at it again... Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMatt Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show!...
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239 Two Boomers Agree Things Ain't What They Used to Be: RAMpocalypse Edition
Is short-form algorithmic content destroying the world? Probably. Are AI server farms screwing up our 2026 gaming plans? Definitely. Also, remember the Ninja Turtles? Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube…
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238 I Don't Want to Be a Chicken Man: Sony's State of Play, Feb 2026
Mewgenics is finally here, and it's mostly great, except for a few ... concerns. And Sony revealed a slate of remakes, sequels, and 3rd party nonsense at their February State of Play which includes a chicken sword muscle man for some reason? Matt flies solo for this recap episode. Join our…
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237 So, how about that new Tomodachi Life video, eh?
You're welcome. Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMatt Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and subscribe to Colette:...
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236 Should Video Game Critics Be Less Negative?
The free to play horse shooter Highguard released this week, and within 5 minutes, the entire Internet agreed that it sucks. Coincidentally(?), the CEO of Larian Studios posted a lengthy comment about how criticism of video games has become too mean and too personal, which discourages artists…
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235 We Only Play Video Games From the 2010s Now
This week in The Chat, we peruse the latest offerings from the Xbox Developer Direct, discuss the appeal of Fable, and hear about what it’s like to play a 16-year-old game with 800 mods (spoiler: pretty good). Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on...
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234 What Are the Most Overrated Video Games?
What beloved video games do you find insufferable? A lively discussion in our Discord community brought us to philosophical analysis of subjectivity. Plus, Steam updates its AI disclosure guidelines, which seem like a step in the right direction yet still not granular enough. And what's the deal...
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233 Our 5 Favorite Games of 2025 (Part 2)
Colette and Matt reveal their top 3 game of the year picks for 2025 and what made them so outstanding. Enjoy, and hop into the discord and let us know what your GOTY picks were for 2025 and what games you’re most looking forward to in 2026! Join our Discord community…
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232 Our Top 5 Games of 2025 (Part 1)
As bury 2025 in the dust, we dig into one of our very favorite episodes to do: Best Games of 2025 (or GOTY, as some of us fondly call it). Matt and Colette have never been able to narrow their lists down to fewer than 5, PLUS honorable mentions, so this episode digs into the latter as well as our...
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231 Our Favorite Announcements From the 2025 Game Awards
Ah yes, The Video Game Awards: Not normally a thing we wait with bated breath for, but Colette pretty much tuned in just to watch Expedition 33 sweep (which, of course, it did). Aside from French Victory, however, there were many new trailers from big names, including a new chapter in the Control...
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230 Finally, a Video Game Where You Can Make Bugs Kiss | Everything From Wholesome Snack 2025
We dive deep this week into the Wholesome Snack showcase, which aired on December 9 and was, per the usual, packed with absolute delights from beginning to end. From thrift store shop simulators and bug dating sims to summer camp as experienced through the eyes of non-verbal kids, Wholesome Games...
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229 Nine Reasons 'Arc Raiders' Is the Best Multiplayer Video Game I've Ever Played (+Steam Games on Your Telephone?!)
Valve surprises us (again) this week as we discover it's been nurturing the ingredients for a long-term plan that could potentially bring Steam games to every possible platform, including your phone. How it found time to do this while developing an entire ecosystem of new hardware, we'll never...
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228 What *Is* an "Indie" Video Game, Anyway?
With this year’s Golden Joystick Awards in the books and Sandfall Games winning a slew of awards for Expedition 33, as well as Megabonk’s dev “John Megabonk” withdrawing himself from a nomination, Matt and Colette dive deep into the “indie” darlings to question what exactly an indie game is, and...
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227 SteamOS Is Coming to a Livingroom Near You, But How Much Will It Cost?
After months of rumors and leaks, Valve has officially announced 3 new hardware products that could transform console gaming and VR: A new Steam Controller (modeled after the Steam Deck's form factor), a new Steam Machine console, perfect for couch gaming, and the Steam Frame, a new inside-out,...
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226 An Oral History of Video Game Oral Histories 🎮 With Matt Leone of Design Room
Matt Leone has been a video game journalist since he was 10 years old printing fanzines' on his grandparents' computer. Very few people read those, but very MANY people have read his incredibly in-depth oral histories of the industry's most influential games and franchises: Street Fighter II…
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225 "Arc Raiders" Nails the Vibes and Tension for a Perfect Extraction Shooter
Colette embarks on her second playthrough of Silent Hill f, which she claims is the best Silent Hill since 2. Meanwhile, Embark (the studio) launches Arc Raiders. Matt recounts his time during the server slam, and why this game could be the next big thing. Also, remember ICQ? Join our Discord...
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224 It's Finally Here: Why BALL x PIT Does Everything Right
After years of mobile-first strategy, Netflix has announced its foray into game streaming with a focus on couch co-op party games - including a heavy hitter. We discuss why this makes a ton of sense for the streamer. Plus: The lingering secrets in "Expedition 33," why the new side-scrolling...
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223 What Is This Mysterious Short Film on Nintendo's YouTube Channel?
So Nintendo uploaded a thing to their YouTube channel with ZERO context, and the Internet has been wondering what's the point. But details in the Nintendo Today app have new clues. PLUS: We are hopelessly addicted to Megabonk, because it's Vampire Survivors in 3D with jumping! Join our Discord...
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222 What's the Value Proposition of Xbox Game Pass in 2025?
Xbox Game Pass just got significantly more expensive and subscribers are freaking out (and canceling in droves).The value proposition — unlimited access to 500+ games for $30/month — is still unprecedented. But as the cost of streaming and living rises across the board, and the hours we have to...
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221 Is "Silent Hill f" the Best Silent Hill Ever?
Colette played 4 hours of "Silent Hill f" in one sitting. So, is it good? (yes) And Matt has a spiritual awakening thanks to digital fur babies (some of whom are dead). Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube:...
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220 We Need to Talk About That Unhinged Nintendo Direct
Hey, uh...Nintendo? Yeah. Could we have a quick word? Join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/5xz84B9RRJ Subscribe to the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColetteAndMatt Email us with what you're playing and we'll read it on the show! [email protected] Follow and...
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219 What Makes "Hollow Knight" the Best of Its Genre? (w/ Silksong Maniac Sky Burkson)
Hey! There's a new game out called Silksong, and apparently it's good? Deranged Metroidvandia fanatic Sky Burkson returns to the pod to school us on how Hollow Knight became a genre-defining (refining?) game, and why the long wait for its sequel turned into an Internet-breaking cultural…
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218 Silksong (Literally) Breaks the Internet and What Is the Mysterious "Steam Frame?"
Seven years of hype for "Hollow Knight: Silksong" literally took down Steam and Nintendo eShop servers when the game debuted this week as millions of fans rushed to buy and play the sequel. And we couldn't be happier for the small, devoted indie team that made it. Meanwhile, "No Man's Sky"…
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217 Expedition 33 [SPOILERCAST] / Why We Need a Game About Grief More Than Ever
Colette has finished "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" (and on her second playthrough) and Matt has watched all of the game's cinematics. And one thing is certain: We have been forever changed by this unbelievable work of art. This week, we go full spoiler mode on the plot, lore, characters…
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216 You Should Play This Dirt-Cheap Isometric Zombie Extraction Shooter
Gamescom and the Future Games show came out swinging this week, with roughly 4 billion trailers - most of them featuring dudes with guns wearing helmets. We barely scratch the surface as we scramble to catch up, but a few items did catch our eye. Plus, Colette digs in on a new isometric co-op...
About this show
Colette Bennett and Matt Silverman chat weekly about the most important topic in human civilization: video games. They discuss games they’re playing, gaming news, online communities, streaming culture, and emerging trends in virtual and augmented reality.
Hosted by
Colette & Matt