Last Word Radio

This week has been a whirlwind of rumors, speculation, and reports centered around Microsoft's possible direction for the future of Xbox as a brand, as a console, and what that means for the gaming world in general. Gaming social media imploded so crazily that Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer had to reveal a business summit is occurring next week that will cover this. Sean and Marc discuss this possible major change to gaming, will it really be all that bad? Is it a big deal if Xbox no longer has any "true exclusives?" does this mean that it is now Game Pass or bust? What avenues does Microsoft gaming really have at this point? And is this the death of the Xbox Console? Also, Marc is near the end of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Sean has some thoughts on Persona 3 Reload and speaks generally (without spoilers) about the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo and some things from the State of Play. Plus, Disney invests big money into Epic Games and promises a major Fortnite partnership, Capcom asks which of thei

In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into Super Bowl LVIII. He also discusses his confusion over Myles Garrett winning DPoY over TJ Watt, weighs in on the NFLPA’s comments on the NFL’s gambling policy, and examines the long-reaching implications of SB58. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!

This week, Sony graced us all with a rather lengthy PlayStation State of Play showing off the promised games such as Stellar Blade and Rise of the Ronin, but also delivering a few surprises such as an almost 10-minute look at Death Stranding 2 among other announcements. Sean and Marc give their thoughts on the State of Play and if they are more hyped about anything that was shown than they were previously. Also, Marc has been playing quite a lot of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, as he traverses through Hawaii with Ichiban and friends exploring the beaches, the Animal Crossing-like Dondoko Island, and battling it out with the Sujimon. Sean unfortunately hasn't been able to play much, but both of them will be able to discuss Persona 3: Reload next week at least. There's also a rumor that Sony may be working on a PlayStation Vita 2 or at least a true original portable device, but that it would not be released for at least another two years. Would it be possible to even have a PlayStation 5 portable? Does this

In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic recaps last week’s NFL Championship weekend and gives his picks for the NFL’s end-of-year awards. He also wonders why all the blame for the Lions loss is being heaped upon HC Dan Campbell, catches up on the offseason coaching carousel, and discusses if the MVP and DPoY awards have become too focused on QBs and sack leaders respectively. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!

In a total shocker, the first big move from Microsoft acquiring Activision-Blizzard-King becomes 1,900 employees being laid off. Many of them involved Activision-Blizzard employees and also Xbox employees leading to a 9% cut in Xbox's total gaming division among all of their studios. They also canceled the Blizzard survival game, "Odyssey" due to the engine being used to make the game being far away from being ready, and the game being many years from release. Sean and Marc attempt to do their best to discuss the story, the statements, and the aftermath, was this all really inevitable? Could something have been done to prevent it? And what does it say that the workers that have unionized were not part of these layoffs? Do the industry's employees need to do more to fight for themselves? And does this put a damper on acquisitions seeing such large-scale layoffs like this? Unfortunately, the layoffs don't end there, as Riot Games also suffered layoffs this week (530 employees) and closed their studio Riot For

In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL Conference Championship matchups. He also touches on the Ravens 2nd half domination of the Texans, weighs in on Chauncey Gardner-Johnson’s ongoing beef with Baker and the Bucs, and gives his take on Jon Anik’s remarks about fans and social media toxicity. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!

This week it feels like 2024 in gaming has begun in earnest with Microsoft's Xbox Developer Direct 2024 where they showed off Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Avowed, Ara: History Untold, and the first look at the Machine Games Indiana Jones. Sean and Marc have their reactions primed and ready on the showcase itself, what they think of each game, if the surprise of Visions of Mana is a big deal or not, and much more. Also, a Ubisoft executive got the company into some hot water when speaking on its newly rebranded Ubisoft + Premium streaming service after being misquoted by gaming websites for saying "Gamers need to get used to not owning their games." This led to a lot of discussion on the state of Gaming subscription services and if we should be afraid of them taking over gaming like they have for television shows, music, and film distribution. Should we be worried about this? Or is there data that shows it isn't a concern? Plus, Sean has some impressions on the newly released Early Access and Xbox Game Pass ti

In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL Divisional weekend matchups. He also discusses his disappointment in Lions fans booing Matthew Stafford, wonders if the Packers are a budding NFC power, and weighs in on the still simmering beef between RGIII and Jay Gruden. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!

The new January 2024 game releases are nearly upon us, as this week, not one, but two demos dropped for major games releasing this month. Sean and Marc have played Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Granblue Fantasy Relink. How do they stack up? Did they get them even more excited for their perspective releases? You'll want to tune in for this. Also, Xbox announced their now yearly Developer Direct is happening next week with Machine Games Indiana Jones game getting some major screen time and more info on Avowed and Senua's Saga Hellblade 2. But the shadow drop from last year's Direct, Hi-Fi Rush, sent the internet buzzing because rumors have swirled that it could be going multiplatform along with Sea of Thieves. Does it hurt Xbox to put its exclusives on other platforms after its initial release? Or is this a smart business move? Nintendo also is apparently in deep discussions about working with more third-party developers on some of its own IP. The guys discuss the news and what dormant franchises could

In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL Super Wild Card weekend matchups. He also breaks down the Jaguars late-season collapse, touches on the Dolphins loss to the Bills, and weighs in on the Titans confusing decision to fire Mike Vrabel. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!

On this episode of Video Games 2 the MAX, Sean, Marc, and Randy take a look ahead at what's coming in 2024. Each of the guys give out their Top 10 Most Anticipated Games, some honorable mentions, and perhaps some predictions for the year as well. Everyone has games they are excited about. Let us know which ones you are most looking forward to as well. Could the new Switch successor finally be coming this year? A certain analyst certainly thinks so. Plus, what can we expect from PlayStation and Xbox? Not to mention, are we getting even more handheld gaming PC's too? You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/-_aOIJOXMDI Links: Dr. Serkan Toto says Switch Successor Will be an "Iteration:" https://kotaku.com/switch-2-price-launch-pokemon-games-1851139696#:~:text=In%20GamesIndustry.biz's%20yearly%20discussion,more%20than%20the%20original%20Switch.

In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 18 matchups. He also touches on the Ravens decimation of the Dolphins, weighs in on if the Steelers should move on from Kenny Pickett, and predicts a Tush-Push heavy road to the Super Bowl. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!

On this edition of Video Games 2 the MAX, we bid farewell to 2023 by looking back at the year that was and giving out as has become tradition, our 25 Best Games of 2023, which means you'll get our Game of the Year on this episode. Sean, Marc, and a surprise appearance mid-show by Randy Isbelle discuss the list from Game #, 25 to Game # 1, as well as some of the big news stories of 2023, and how the big three console makers should feel about the year. You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/bp_83UB8r8A Links: Check out Randy's Sports YouTube show: https://www.youtube.com/@rrsportsreport9967 Radulich in Broadcasting's Review of Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom: https://youtube.com/live/8Vt8570IL_I The latest episode of Talk the Keki is their Anime Fall 2023 Season Awards: https://youtube.com/live/szNhQvYmviU Timestamps: 00:00:55 START & Mar

In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 17 matchups. He also praises the Ravens for making the 49ers look vulnerable, weighs in on the Joe Flacco-Comeback Player of the Year debate, and touches on this year’s edition of the “Jim Harbaugh to the NFL” rumors. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!

After an unintended week off due to Sean having an internet outage on the day of recording last week, Video Games 2 the MAX returns in a very hectic week in gaming. Between last week and this week, more information has put into question the sustainability of AAA gaming with budgets ballooning, the increased amount of layoffs in 2023, and if games still don't cost enough to offset all of this. Is the answer to increase the price to $80 or $90 for new AAA games? Do gamers need to understand that the majority of games may have to lower their budgets? Could this bring subscription services more into play? Does this justify why there's been so much of a push towards Games as a Service? Or is this whole thing going to blow up entirely? According to Jeff Grubb, a PS5 Pro is surely coming in 2024 with its own DLSS tech and he's also been hearing rumors of Xbox possibly starting a whole new console generation as early as 2026. Could this actually help Microsoft achieve a bit of a head start like with the Xbox 360? O

In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 16 matchups. He also discusses which NFL playoff teams are on "Fraud Alert," breaks down which team has the inside track to win the AFC South, and wonders if it’s finally time for the Steelers and Patriots to begin looking for new head coaches. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!

In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 15 matchups. He also dives into the stumbling Eagles and Chiefs, can’t believe it took the Chargers this long to fire Brandon Staley, and wonders if CJ Stroud’s concussion is going to put an end to the Texans surprise playoff push. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!

What's up Internet? Matt Pollard monologues about Saturday's final as Columbus Crew defeated LAFC 2-1. Enjoy this brief but dense 2023 MLS Cup review and a look ahead to the offseason. Happy Holidays.  Last Word SC is brought to you by Athletic Greens. Get started with all-in-one nutrition today at the link below. https://athleticgreens.sjv.io/LWPN

In this episode of the Necessary Roughness Podcast, host Nikolas Donadic dives into the NFL regular season’s Week 14 matchups. He also gives an updated overview of the NFL playoff picture, wonders how Gardner Minshew wound up a journeyman back-up, and praises Commissioner Goodell for his (reported) interest in banning the Tush Push. Enjoy the show and join us next weekend for the following episode!

What a week it has been for the industry as the Game Awards 2023 has wrapped up, Grand Theft Auto VI had its trailer revealed a little early, and Day of the Devs happened too. Sean and Marc have a full discussion on Game Awards 2023, the announcements, and if there can be any changes made after the appalling way award winners were treated during their speeches on a "night that's meant to celebrate gaming." Could there a better balance struck between the two? Could the announcements and awards be separated? Is this all hyperbolic? Also, Grand Theft Auto VI had its trailer leaked early and then Rockstar put out the trailer themselves, with it getting a ridiculous amount of traffic on X and YouTube. With the series returning to Vice City could it finally spur Sean to give the series a true shot? What about what was shown in the trailer and the fact the game won't be released until 2025 at the earliest? Day of the Devs also had a special showcase before the Game Awards and Sean has some thoughts on the games s