The Game Deflators E372 | 2025 Game Awards Reactions + New Year, New Games

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan bring a packed agenda to the table. The duo kicks things off with fresh updates from their ongoing Strixhaven D&D campaign, sharing the latest twists, character antics, and how the story is evolving.

Looking ahead, they set their New Games Resolutions for 2026, laying out the titles they’re determined to play, backlog goals, and what they hope to accomplish as gamers in the new year.

The conversation then shifts to the 2025 Game Awards, where John and Ryan break down the highlights of the show, their favorite (and least favorite) trailers, and whether the event lived up to the hype.

Adding a more analytical angle, the hosts dive into a new Boston Consulting Group report on gamer purchasing habits, exploring what the data says about how players are spending, and what it could mean for the industry moving forward.

Finally, they wrap things up with a retro spotlight: a review of Batman Returns for the SNES, revisiting the beat ’em up classic to see if it still holds up today.

00:00 Introduction to the Game Deflators Podcast 01:17 Recent Game Pickups and D&D Updates 03:36 D&D Campaign Adventures and Challenges 10:58 Future Campaign Plans and Game Mechanics 19:39 Current Gaming Experiences and New Game Resolutions 27:48 Nostalgia in Collectibles and Blind Boxes 28:21 Exploring Metal Gear Solid: A Legendary Experience 34:19 New Game Resolutions and Game Picks 38:08 Game Awards Highlights and Reactions 49:17 Exciting Game Trailers and Anticipations 56:43 The Changing Landscape of Gaming Purchases 01:01:03 Backlogs and Gaming Habits 01:04:31 Inflation vs. Deflation: Game Pricing Discussion

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Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18