The Scroll

Get your calendars ready, Scroll listeners, because we are breaking down the ultimate pre-summer gaming showcase super guide! The jam-packed summer schedule is officially kicking off, and we have all the dates and times for every event over the next two weeks—from the Thinky Direct puzzle showcase and indie JRPG streams to the massive main events like PlayStation's State of Play and the Xbox Games Showcase. Plus, Frank and Boots dive deep into the massive industry money troubles hitting Sony, Bungie, and Ubisoft, before wrapping up with what we've been playing lately, including Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Hades 2, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Head over to getthescroll.com to check out our brand-new blog, and connect with us on X, Facebook, and BlueSky to tell us which showcase you're hyping up the most!

This week on The Scroll, Frank Grouch and Lilac Boots set sail with a review of Kraken Express’s breakout pirate survival hit, Wind Rose. The duo also dives deep into the storytelling and DLC feel of Spider-Man: Miles Morales, clears up the confusion surrounding Sony’s 30-day DRM firmware update, and breaks down the newly confirmed Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Re-synced remake. Plus, get a quick look at upcoming titles like 007 First Light before the show heads into a brief hiatus for Mother’s Day.

The Scroll is evolving! We’ve officially launched our new blog section at getthescroll.com to provide a deeper, technical look at the stories that matter. In this episode, Lilac Boots and Frank discuss:The Industry Pulse: A critical look at the Roblox-Schlep controversy and the technical negligence behind the headlines.Safety Protocols: Decoding 2K’s new "Teen Accounts" and the looming COPPA 2.0 deadline.High Seas & Speed: Our excitement for the AC: Black Flag remake, Windrose, and the record-breaking pre-orders for Forza Horizon 6.Read our first blog post on the Roblox investigation now: getthescroll.com/blog.html

This week, Boots and Frank dive into the rare "L" handed to Nintendo by the USPTO regarding their "Summon and Battle" patent. We also break down the launch of Indie Pass, the looming "RAMageddon" price hikes, and why the "Reverse Sale" is the new reality for 2026 consoles.

After a much-needed break to honor a dear mentor, The Scroll returns to tackle the "Live Service" infection taking over modern gaming. Join Boots and Frank as they break down the "Warzone-ification" of the Modern Warfare III campaign, the frustration of Black Ops 7’s forced co-op, and a heated "Boots to the Face" for EA’s predatory Sims 4 Marketplace split. From the ghost of multiplayer-past in Dragon Age: Veilguard to the cozy stability of Star Ocean, we’re dissecting why the industry is obsessed with "forever games" and what we’re playing to stay sane. Listen now at getthescroll.com.

A tribute to a mentor and a dive into the industry’s wildest week.After a two-week break, Lilac Boots returns to cover the "Xbox Earthquake" as Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond depart, leaving Microsoft's gaming future in the hands of new AI-focused leadership. We also dive into the technical chaos of the recent Cloudflare-driven Steam outage, and the heated discourse surrounding David Jaffe’s critique of God of War: Sons of Sparta. Finally, Boots reviews the long-awaited Replaced demo and the language-learning JRPG Wagotabi.This episode is dedicated to the memory of Hallie, Boots' mentor, whose favorite Queen song lends this episode its name. The Scroll will be taking a hiatus following this recording to allow for a period of rest and reflection.

In this episode of The Scroll, Boots and Frank discuss GOG's recent AI art controversy and Ubisoft's massive restructuring into five "Creative Houses". They also recount the wild story of the 18-year-old who leaked GTA VI footage using an Amazon Fire Stick and explore the new "honest living" Odd Jobs in GTA Online. Plus, they weigh in on the bizarre news of Tim Sweeney praising the Google Genie 3 AI engine—calling it a "great idea" despite the tool being caught plagiarizing his own Fortnite IP.Pro-Tip for Aspiring Firefighters: Through February 4, you can earn 2X GTA$ and RP on all Odd Jobs, with firefighting dispatches paying out up to $15,000. Completing 25 dispatches will unlock "The Unwavering" outfit, and finishing 5 jobs for the first time unlocks the trade price for the MTL Fire Truck.

In this episode of The Scroll, Boots and Frank brave the East Coast snow to break down the week's most chaotic headlines, from the Tim Sweeney vs. PC Gamer social media standoff to the latest Xbox Developer Direct reveals. We dive into the stunning Japan setting for Forza Horizon 6, the unique character-building in Fable, and the quirky indie energy of the pottery-brawler Kiln. Plus, we wrap up with a look at the NY Video Game Awards winners and a pitch for the Black Canary game the industry desperately needs.

This week on The Scroll, we dive into the massive FaZe Clan "Exodus" following the departure of their entire active roster, including 14-year veteran Adapt. We also break down the technical controversy surrounding Nvidia’s DLSS 4.5, which is reportedly causing a 20-24% performance drop for RTX 20 and 30 series users. Plus, we discuss the recent Steam Machine price leak indicating a $950-$1,070 price tag, Larian Studios' commitment to "Human-Only" art for Divinity concept art, and what to expect from the Xbox Developer Direct on January 22nd. Finally, we share first impressions of Kingdom Come: Deliverance and the viral "cozy tech repair" indie hit, ReStory.

This week on The Scroll, we dive into the massive end-of-year shift as CD Projekt Red sells GOG back to its roots. We’re breaking down the legal heat rising for Rockstar as the UK Parliament gets involved in recent layoffs, plus Satya Nadella’s defense of AI in game dev. Stick around to hear why Boots is obsessed with ReStory and which punk-ass ISP is getting a Boot to the Face this week.

We’re closing out 2025 with a look at the data that defined the year. In this episode, we dive into the $197B industry numbers and the news that shaped the gaming landscape—including a brief, personal tribute to the legendary Vince Zampella, whose games were the reason I met many of my closest friends.Plus, it's a reality check on the year's top titles. Frank shares what he’s been playing this week, while I bring my Steam Replay 2025 receipts to show the actual hours behind my favorite games. We also break down the November hardware slump and what the GTA VI delay means for the 2026 hype train.

From the neon-soaked streets of Dogtown to the heart of the Big Apple—we’re back! This week, I’m finally sharing my 10/10 verdict on Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and explaining why taking a "slow burn" approach changed everything.Plus, Frank and I break down the 2026 NYVGA Nominees and dive into the heated controversy surrounding the disqualification of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Where exactly is the line for AI in game development?🚨 NEW THEME REVEAL: We’ve officially updated The Scroll’s sound! Our new theme music is right at the top of the episode—let us know what you think of the new vibe in the comments or on our Facebook page!

We sat down to cover The Game Awards 2025, and it turned into the Clair Obscur show.This week on The Scroll, I’m joined by Frank and special guest Brad ("Brad's Burgers") to break down the winners, the world premieres, and the absolute chaos of Thursday night. We cover the historic sweep by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and debate if it was a deserved domination or if Kingdom Come: Deliverance II got robbed.In this episode:The Sweep: Reaction to Clair Obscur taking home GOTY, RPG, Narrative, and... well, everything else.The Rants: Frank goes off on why the Twisted Metal TV show was robbed by The Last of Us for Best Adaptation.The Trailers: We hype up John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, the return of Ace Combat, and the insane Divinity reveal from Larian Studios.The "Wait, What?": Did we hallucinate "Badgerborne"? And can we talk about the Flute Guy going absolutely feral during the orchestra?The Action: Don Lee in Gang of Dragon, Leon Kennedy's return in Resident Evil Requiem, and why Phantom Blade 0 looks terrifying.Plus, we discuss No Man's Sky winning Best Ongoing (again) and the sheer confusion of the Four Loop trailer.

This week, LilacBoots and Frank dive deep into an accidental theme: Urban Fantasy & Supernatural Horror. From 80s demons invading Arizona to a hotel run by serial killers, the universe clearly wants us to fight monsters this week. We also discuss the fallout of the GTA VI delay, why stock prices are ruining 2025, and Boots delivers a fiery #BootsToTheFace to the media coverage of Dragon Age Day.(Plus: A live fact-check on Fortnite that proves time is a flat circle).

Free Games & DLC: Check out The Loot Drop for the new PlayStation Plus Essentials, including LEGO Horizon Adventures and Neon White, plus Marvel Cosmic Invasion hitting Xbox Game Pass.The Saudi Slump: We follow up on the massive EA acquisition deal, discussing the new reports that the Saudi-led consortium is "cash poor" and what that means for potential massive layoffs at EA.The Snitch: Rockstar Games is under fire after firing over 30 employees for talking about work conditions and unionizing in a private Discord channel. Lilac Boots delivers a vicious Boots to the Face to the company and the snitch!Tabletop Love: Don't miss our segment on the booming world of board games, featuring adaptations of Spartacus, The Witcher, and Cyberpunk 2077.What We're Playing: Outer Worlds 2, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and the city-builder Against the Storm.

In this awards season special, Frank and Lilac Boots dive into gaming's top honors!Joystick Winners: We celebrate the Golden Joystick Awards, where Clair Obscure and Ghost of Tsushima earned top prizes. The hosts praise the ceremony's focus on actual gaming achievement.The Snub: Frank argues that the Twisted Metal adaptation was unfairly ignored by both the Golden Joystick and The Game Awards (TGA) in the Best Adaptation category.TGA Talk: The crew breaks down the TGA nominations, questioning the transparency and corporate nature of the voting process.Sims 4 Chaos: Lilac Boots details the unexpected drama in The Sims community: a popular tool unlocking all Sims 4 DLC for free suddenly went defunct after its creator stepped away. The controversy intensified when another modder began charging for the same system.Game Time: Find out what the hosts are playing this week, including Arc Raiders, Fortnite, and a Ghost of Tsushima Platinum run.

Rockstar's Union Bust & Valve's New Console. We dissect the industry's collapse: Why consoles are obsolete, the brilliance of the Steam Machine, and the Rockstar union busting lawsuit. Plus, the #BootstotheFace rant on the TwitchCon assailant and Greg Ellis.

Frank and Lilac Boots are back to break down the corporate crises that are defining the modern gaming landscape.The Sims Exodus: Following the Saudi-backed EA buyout, Simmers like Lilsimsie, Plumbella, and James Turner have quit the EA Creator Network over moral and ethical conflicts. Lilac Boots questions why the Sims dev team is using a massive November 4th bug-fix update as a crisis management tactic after the fact.The Console Crisis: Is it worth buying any console right now? We dissect the value problem: the PS5 is getting remastered filler, the Xbox is selling fewer units than the Xbox One, and Nintendo is recklessly pushing the $80 game precedent.The Noir That Wasn't: Lilac Boots delivers a scathing review of Tails Noir (formerly Backbone), calling its jarring, unearned sci-fi twist a creative failure that spoiled a beautiful narrative.Macabre Reviews: For Halloween, we review the morally dubious management sim Graveyard Keeper and the side-scrolling defense game Kingdom, and reveal which DLCs (Zombies! Co-op!) are absolutely essential to fix the base game's biggest flaws.Plus: Frank shares his thoughts after getting the Platinum for the incredible Ghost of Yōtei and we share our anti-stress gaming recommendations!

In a massive, high-stakes episode, Frank and LilacBoots break down the corporate chaos threatening to reshape the gaming industry forever.The $55 Billion Question: Electronic Arts is officially going private in the largest leveraged buyout in history. We analyze the mountain of debt and what this financial move means for the future of AAA game development and fan monetization.The Cowardly Cancellation: A stunning report reveals Ubisoft scrapped a post-Civil War Assassin’s Creed (starring a Black protagonist confronting the KKK) out of fear of online backlash and the U.S. political climate. We dissect the company's moral and creative failure.The Labor Fight Escalates: We dive deep into the Build A Rocket Boy union lawsuit, the Discord ID security breach, and the rise of Sackbird Studios—a direct employee revolt against AAA burnout.

We're back with a brand new episode of The Scroll! Join us as we recount our time with the Battlefield 6 beta and give our honest verdict on whether it lives up to the hype. We also dive into some major industry news, including Blizzard's SFD team becoming the first in-house cinematic, animation, and narrative studio in North America to unionize. We'll also discuss the leaked info on the ROG Xbox Ally and touch on the controversy surrounding the Roblox CEO. As always, we've got all the latest news and announcements, including a look ahead to Capcom's upcoming presentation at New York Comic-Con.

This week on The Scroll, we tried to go boots-on-the-ground with the Battlefield 6 Open Beta, but the servers had other plans! We break down the chaotic launch, the massive queue times, and why some of us couldn't even get into the fight. Frank managed to sneak past the server errors for a little while, and he's here to share his very first impressions from his limited playtime. We discuss whether this messy launch is a bad omen for the game or just a bump in the road.Then, we tackle a major industry controversy as we discuss GOG's protest against censorship and the "quiet erasure" of games. We break down why they're giving away so-called banned games for free and debate the power that platforms and payment processors have over what we can play.Plus, could the future of game discovery be in swiping right for curation? We look at Ludocene, a new "dating app for games," and discuss whether expert-led recommendations are the answer to our ever-growing backlogs.We also run through the new titles coming to Xbox Game Pass and give a special community shoutout to voice actress Kenneisha Thompson for her fantastic new role in the hit anime Gachiakuta. Join us for a packed show!

This week, we break down Warner Bros.' shocking $200 million loss on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and discuss why they're gambling on another live-service game. Next, we tackle Sony's lawsuit against Tencent over an alleged Horizon 'clone' and debate the line between inspiration and imitation.Finally, we compare strategies in the ecosystem war: Sony celebrates its legacy with classic PlayStation Plus games while Xbox looks to the future with cloud streaming for games you already own. We debate who had the better week.

This week on The Scroll, we're diving into one of the biggest release weekends of the year! We share our first impressions of the brand-new Fable reboot, Hideo Kojima's latest epic DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, and the charming return of Mario & Luigi: Brothership.Then, we pivot to a serious discussion about the controversial crackdown on adult games on Steam. We explore the platform's hidden market, the power of payment processors, and the complex debate between censorship and creative freedom.Later in the show, we deliver our full review of Hell Clock, a new action RPG set in a fantastical version of colonial Brazil, with unique classes and a world-changing time mechanic.Finally, we close out the show with a fun "Gaming Confessions" segment, where we share our hottest takes and most embarrassing gaming stories.

This week on The Scroll, we're joined by our friend and special guest, Breadman, to break down some massive news about two of gaming's biggest franchises.First, we dive into the huge leak for the next Battlefield game, breaking down all the details from the rumored return to a modern setting and the classic class-based system. Then, we discuss the exciting news that Idris Elba has reportedly been cast as the lead in Netflix's live-action Assassin's Creed series and what it means for the future of video game adaptations.We close out the show with Breadman by talking about our own personal gaming habits, what we're all playing now, and how we manage our ever-growing backlogs.

This week on The Scroll, we ask a question that's shaking the industry: Who really owns your games?Join us as we dive deep into the "Stop Killing Games" debate, exploring the line between product ownership and service licensing in the wake of major game shutdowns. From digital rights to the rumor mill, we also investigate the latest speculation around the Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remake after a mysterious Steam update.And as always, we've got your monthly haul covered with a full rundown of all the free games for July 2025 available on PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, and Prime Gaming.Grab your headphones and settle in for a focused episode! Find more at getthescroll.com.

This week, we're unpacking all the major announcements from the Capcom Spotlight, including a shocking change for Resident Evil Requiem and a deep dive into Monster Hunter Wilds. We also fly into the new Sims 4 expansion to discuss the arrival of Fairies. Plus, we cover the incredible comeback of Game Informer magazine and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the legendary Diablo II. Tune in to hear all this and what we've been playing this week!

It's the biggest week in gaming news, and me and Frank are here to cut through the noise. We give our unfiltered reactions to the summer showcases, talk about what we've actually been playing from our backlogs, and discuss which future games are truly worth the hype.

We're back! Right now we seriously can't stand the incels complaining about someone in fiction who looks different, the scrub-having skills of DBZ players, and the colorism in Hollywood. Enjoy :D

This month we're talking about Microsoft bugs, the new game plus erasure, and IGN's ridiculous reviews. Enjoy!

Hey guys! This week we're talking about the VGA nominees, a few game reviews, and standing up to your principles. Enjoy!

Hey guys, we're back! Happy Pride! It's me and Frank's birthday month as well! (GANG GANG) This week we're talking about Fox News being disrespectful, FaZe Clan's unnecessary drama, and Bobby Kotick's trip down DENIAL. Thanks for listening!

Hey guys, this week we talked about Nintendo phasing out their older devices, GTA VI getting some much needed help, and how you may want to hold off on getting a smart car. Enjoy!

Hey guys, this week we deviated a bit and spoke on Netflix, Microsoft trying to take over, and I tried a cute new game called Hi-Fi Rush! Happy 3-year anniversary listeners! Enjoy! 

Hey ya'll. This week we talk about Mr. Jerry Lawson, how to prepare for this year's Game Awards, and also do some game reviews! Thank you Papito for joining us! Enjoy!

Hey guys, this week we went over insider trading, game modes, and the Video Game Award Nominations! Check it out!

Hey guys, this week we're defending the geekdom from culture vultures and a lot of recent sweaty remarks. Enjoy!

Hey guys, this week we're going to talk about Dr. Disrespect reaching, EA's taboo bug in The Sims, and we're interviewing our friend KidderKat. Enjoy!

Hey guys, we understand the anxiety that everyone's feeling this week and we wanted to acknowledge the government's recent decisions and how they affected the gaming industry along with other news. Please be safe and healthy.

Hey guys! This week we're talking about Activision Blizzard's continuing systemic disrespect of their workers, a few showcases that premiered, and some sales for you to enjoy! Thanks for listening!

Good evening all. Just a quick announcement. Please listen when you can <3

Hey everyone. This week we're talking about Microsoft's big buy, why in the fuck they need to add Battle Royale to everything, and no more support for Watch Dogs: Legion. Enjoy!

Hey everyone! This week we're talking about CD Projekt Red's settlement, misinformed op-ed pieces, and some gift suggestions for the young gamer in your life! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Hey guys, this week I'll be talking about Nvidia trying to take over the world, Tesla's ridiculous idea, and the winners of the Game Awards 2021! Enjoy!

This week I'll be talking about Nvidia updates, more Dragon Age news, and to say RIP to an art legend.

Hey guys, quick news on the industry, Dragon Age 4 updates, and Stardew Valley e-sports. Small rant at the end but it's okay though.

Tired of E3. Steam Game Fest is lit. Sonic. Crusader Kings 3. You know the vibes.

This week I'm talking about some more decisions Sony Playstation has made, Civilization VI updates, and demo games. Enjoy!

Hey everyone this week we recorded live on Twitch! We talked about Outriders fixes, a new horror game that looks cool, and Dr. Disrespect's whining. Thanks again to @frankgrouch for joining me. Enjoy!

Hey everyone! This week we're talking about the recent changes in the gaming industry, hot tub trends, and how cheaters still think they can get over. Thanks again to @frankgrouch for joining me! Enjoy!

Hey guys! This week we're talking about faulty hardware, Representatives who need to wake the hell up, and E3 plans. Thanks again to @thefrankgrouch for helping!