Month: January 2026

My backlog has backlogs.

I am drowning in options of games to play. Especially on PC, but if you want to throw in Gamepass and PS+ go right ahead and increase those numbers. It’s a massive library of games awaiting me to play. And 99% of them I have never played before. They’re fresh and new and maybe the lot of them could suck but how would I know – I haven’t played them.

As time goes on that backlog only gets larger. Having options is always a good thing but there’s a point of saturation.

I crossed that point YEARS ago. I enjoy having a backlog, don’t get me wrong. It means at any given time I have something available to play. If anything pulls me, a racing game or a puzzle game or a shooter, I’m good – I’ve got something to scratch that itch if need be. But then I keep adding to the pile.

This past holiday season, for instance, I added more titles to my library and I’ve yet to play near a one of them. I’ve selected two that I’ve put time in and both of those are very sort of casual, non-story-like games. It’s been a while since I dove into something meaty with a great story and compelling gameplay that keeps me coming back. Spider-Man 2 seems to be a once a week play thing and that’s fine but it’s also console and not taking advantage of ALL of my PC games that I could be playing.

Again, this isn’t a complaint. It’s just an observation that each year I add to my library of games on my PC and each week on the show I tell you, mostly, of the same games I’ve been playing with nothing new to add.

I really should do something about that.

New year. New me. New playlist.

Right after I grab this game I want that’s on sale.

New year. Same Ubisoft. It has been 4,535 days since a new Splinter Cell game (non-animated series or guest spot in another game franchise, remake, BBC radio drama, or VR exclusive) was released.

Also, there’s been 871 job losses in the gaming industry since January 1, 2026.

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Welcome to Season 20.

Yeah, for TWENTY years now we’ve been doing this thing. Or will have by the end of this year. That’s…well, kind of a lot. For anything.

And it’s all your fault. I mean, we wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for you continuing to support us every single weekend. Showing up is enough but you show up live and you show up for the YouTube videos and the podcasts. You show up when we stream (which we should do more of) and you’re even there when we can’t be (my gallbladder removal, heart attack, and Covid).

You being here for us means we’ll continue to be here for you. I know that I mostly use this space to talk a bit about something we talked about in the episode or elaborate on something else within the industry but I sort of wanted to just take a moment, out of twenty years, and be very heartfelt when I say thank you.

Personally, and this is just myself, Scott, speaking, you’ve all given me an unknown dream come true. I’d never dreamed I’d be able to attend events such as E3 but you got me there. Got me to London for a visit with Criterion studios and that was also a dream come true. Got me to Spokane to visit Cyan Worlds and that was also a dream come true. Far beyond what I could have ever imagined when their games set the tone for my gaming experience standard. I’ve made countless friends as both listeners and professionals in the industry. I’ve been to Seattle, Boston, and San Antonio for PAX.

All of these things because of this show. That would not exist without you. And this is why I thank you all so very much for being a part of our lives for 20 years – as much, maybe, as we’ve been a part of yours.

It has been an honor.

Thank you so much for listening.

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