With the recent report that almost 80% of games purchased on PS4 & PS5 are digital, on top of recent reports of games being delisted, it's caused some concern about the future of digital in gaming spheres. This week, we discuss the pros and cons of both digital and physical, the fear of a future where we own nothing, and why Twitter is a weird, weird place.
Time Stamps
News
Relevant Reads
Recos!
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
When you discuss seminal pillars of gaming, Metal Gear Solid will always come up. In several ways, it changed the gaming landscape through creatively immersing players into the world of Shadow Moses, Solid Snake, and Metal Gears. Not only that, MGS pioneered stealth games, thrusting them into the spotlight with a cinematic flair. Despite what you may think of Kojima, it's impossible to deny the genius of the game's design.
But hidden underneath Metal Gear Solid is good bit of philosophy. Is violence a sport? Can love bloom on the battlefield? Can we resist our genes? Join us as we discuss this masterclass of game design as we break down Metal Gear Solid/Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes.
Want MORE TRG Content?
Time Stamps:
Check out Sound of the Raign and his music:
Recos!
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
The Reformed Gamers is the show all about theology and gaming. Every now and then, we dedicate an entire episode to something theological focused. Last year, TRG did an episode on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having this message is great but the next question is: what do we do with it?
Joining Logan on this episode is Dr. Matt Queen, Associate Dean of the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions and Professor of Evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Queen also holds the L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism. Dr. Queen not only talks a lot about evangelism and invests time in equipping the saints to share the Gospel but he spearheads many evangelistic efforts at SWBTS and his church. In this episode, Dr. Queen discusses the importance of evangelism, the fears that keep people from sharing, and the many ways we can share the Gospel, whether in person or online.
You can get in touch with Dr. Queen:
You can also check out Dr. Queen's helpful resources here: http://media.swbts.edu/speaker/10/matt-queen
Time Stamps:
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
It has been awhile since we have done a mail bag episode. We pitched it to the Deer Patrons to write in questions for us to answer and discuss on this episode. And they did not disappoint. Sony recently showed us an impressive show of games in a recent State of Play that was so good, we had to revisit some of it. We also discuss games we're playing like Ghostwire Tokyo and co-op games like It Takes Two. We also tried to figure out which apostle would play which game.
Topic begins at 35:17
Links & Reco's
Patrons! Get your write ins for upcoming episodes: Episode 220 (Metal Gear Solid) & Q&A with Skinner
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Sea of Thieves has come a long way since it's initial launch in 2018. In 2022, Sea of Thieves is growing to be one of the top multiplayer gaming experiences available. Joining me on this episode is friend of the show, Jonathan, aka ParrotMode. We discuss some of the new additions to the game, some of the things that keep people coming back, and share tips for new players.
Secret Links
Follow ParrotMode!
Time Stamps
Housekeeping (6:30)
What We're Playing (8:56)
Topic (32:00)
*Note about this section: the first few seconds, my (Logan) mic acted up and sounds muffled. It returns to normal after a few minutes into the section.
Reco's (1:12:35)
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Patreon: www.Patreon.com/TheReformedGamers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TRGPodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheReformedGamers
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/TheReformedGamers
Website: www.thereformedgamers.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/r4g6p4dztC
Time Stamps
Secret Links
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Patreon: www.Patreon.com/TheReformedGamers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TRGPodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheReformedGamers
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/TheReformedGamers
Website: www.thereformedgamers.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/r4g6p4dztC
Dissertations are a massive undertaking. Many say it’s the equivalent of writing a book. In order to obtain a Doctorate Degree, it’s one of the things you have to complete. For Matt Millsap, he wrote his dissertation on the theological engagement of video games. You read that right. We also spend some time discussing the preservation of games, US copyright law, and Nintendo’s ever persistent problem of forsaking their legacy.
Time Stamps
WHYBP 4:20
Topic 9:40
Reco’s 1:24:34
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Patreon: www.Patreon.com/TheReformedGamers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TRGPodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheReformedGamers
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/TheReformedGamers
Website: www.thereformedgamers.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/r4g6p4dztC
Secret Links
SMT has been around for a long time, dating back to 1987 with Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei on the Famicom. As a matter of fact, this is the series that gave us Persona. With SMT V released fairly recently on the Nintendo Switch to glowing reviews, it’s time for us to discuss the game’s themes of false gods, worldly pursuits, and come to find out that this game isn’t so different from the MCU.
Time Stamps
Patron Thank You's!
A huge thank you for the Patrons who supported TRG in the month of February: Alex Castellanos, Brandon Buonacorsi, Caasi, Chris Freeman, Christopher Commander, Darryl Tavares, David Henderson, David Matthews, Derek Smith, Jake Walker, Jeff Jackson Jr., Jimmy Changa, Jonathan Harrison, Josh Broccolo, Kiefer Winborn, Kokorodaki, Luke Strain, Mark Kozlowski, Matt Edwards, Matthew “White Chocolate” McDougal, Matthew Millsap, Melvin Benson V, Micah Hendrick, Michael Toller, MrButts, Nate McKeever, Paige Pinson, Retro Rewind Podcast, Ryan1701e, Sam White, Savon Pena, Third Strongest Mole, Travis, Vincent Yu, WeathermanKeef, Wesley Rea, Xaviel Medina
Reco's!
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Patreon: www.Patreon.com/TheReformedGamers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TRGPodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheReformedGamers
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/TheReformedGamers
Website: www.thereformedgamers.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/r4g6p4dztC
Jonathan, aka Sound of the Raign, got into music at an early age. Over the last couple of years, he has steadily released songs that blend his faith with his love for all things nerdy. In this episode, he sits down and shares how he got into music, some of his favorite games, and his spiritual renewal in Christ.
Time Stamps
Secret Links (5:41)
WHYBP (6:10)
Topic (15:27)
Reco’s (1:12:47)
Follow Sound of the Raign!
Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, YouTube
Support TRG
As always, if you like what we do here at TRG, consider supporting the show over on Patreon to net yourself perks like early, uncut access to every new episode! Link to our Patreon is below!
Connect With TRG
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Patreon: www.Patreon.com/TheReformedGamers
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TRGPodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheReformedGamers
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/TheReformedGamers
Website: www.thereformedgamers.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/r4g6p4dztC
Timestamps:
Housekeeping (2:50)
What We're Playing (5:31)
Topic (26:15)
Reco's/Patron Thanks/Closing (1:25:35)
A HUGE thanks to our January Patreon supporters: Alex Castellanos, Caasi, Chris Freeman, Christopher Commander, Darryl Tavares, David Henderson, David Matthews, Derek Smith, Jake Walker, Jeff Jackson Jr., Jimmy Changa, Josh Broccolo, Kiefer Winborn, Kokorodaki, Luke Strain, Mark Kozlowski, Matt Edwards, Matthew “White Chocolate” McDougal, Matthew Millsap, Melvin Benson V, Micah Hendrick, Michael Toller, MrButts, Nate McKeever, Paige Pinson, Retro Rewind Podcast, Ryan1701e, Sam White, Savon Pena, Third Strongest Mole, Travis, Vincent Yu, WeathermanKeef, Wesley Rea, Xaviel Medina
Recos!
Join the Reformation and meet other gamers on Discord, Facebook, Twitter!
TRG turns 7!
Logan, Skinner, and Adam gather around the digital table to reminisce over the last 7 years of TRG before diving in to some of our favorite games of 2021. Every year, we give out a series of awards and this year is no different! This year, the awards are:
Special shout-out to our Deer Listeners of 2021: Alex Castellanos, the TRG Discord Mods, Sound of the Raign, Kokorodaki, ChefJhai!
Housekeeping (13:54)
What We're Playing (20:01)
Topic (44:44)
Reco's (1:48:42)
Mukwano Coffee Promo
Mukwano Coffee is hooking listeners up! Head over to www.mukwanocoffee.com and use code TRG to get 10% off your order!
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
From all of us here at TRG: Happy Thanksgiving!
We all have this problem of the never-ending backlog. Is that a good thing? Or are we approaching video games differently than we do other things like books and movies? The guys from the Backlog Breakdown Podcast join me this week to discuss!
Check out The Backlog Breakdown on Twitter and listen to their show!
Timestamps:
Housekeeping (7:18)
What We're Playing (8:31)
Topic (26:54)
Patron Thank You's & Recos! (1:16:12)
You can catch up with TRG by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and join our Discord server for community game nights!
Words Are Not Hard Anymore
200 episodes. Almost 7 years. TRG has been making content geared around the focus of discussing video games, and things in the video game world, from a Christian perspective. It's been an incredible journey up to this point. Logan, Adam, and Skinner all sit down to discuss the early days of the podcast, how it's changed, and what the future will look like on the podcast. We could not have done this without God, or you, the Deer Community. Thank you for these past 200 episodes.
Housekeeping (2:40)
What Have We Been Playing (11:40)
Skinner descends into Kingdom Hearts 3 to talk highly of it's gameplay and gets giddy. Adam hops on the Backlog Train and works on The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Logan despairs over some weird games he bought in his backlog and struggles through Scarlet Nexus.
What Have We Been Reading (26:30)
Adam and Skinner both discuss what they've been reading in the Bible, specifically Exodus and a few other books. Logan gets into Henry Cloud's "Boundaries" as he goes through a season of healing.
Topic (39:04)
Nearly 7 years of podcast episodes that are chock full of memories. The guys discuss how they came across TRG, how it's changed, and the future ahead. They also discuss some of their favorite games they've played over the last several years and crown an early GOTY of 2021.
Patron Thank You's! (1:23:36)
TRG would not be here without our Patrons! Thank you to those who supported TRG in the month of October: AaronElWhite, Alex Castellanos, Andre Swann, Ashley Kronenbitter, Chris Freeman, Christopher Commander, Darryl Tavares, David Henderson, David Matthews, Derek Smith, Isaac.stultz, Jake Walker, Jeff Jackson Jr., Jimmy Changa, JoAnne Monroe, Joe Morgan, Josh Broccolo, Kokorodaki, Luke Strain, Mark Fromme, Matt Edwards, Matthew “White Chocolate” McDougal, Matthew Millsap, Melvin Benson V, Micah Hendrick, Michael Toller, MrButts, Nate McKeever, Paige Pinson, Retro Rewind Podcast, Ryan1701e, Sam White, Samuel Colunga, Savon Pena, Third Strongest Mole, Travis, Vincent Yu, WeathermanKeef, Wesley Rea, Xaviel Medina
Reco's! (1:25:21)
Thank you for listening to The Reformed Gamers! We would love to connect with you. Join our Discord using this link or following us on our different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. You can financially support the show, monthly, on Patreon and get extra perks.
Death Stranding is arguably Hideo Kojima’s most polarizing game. But it’s one worth persevering through. Death Stranding is a game that is like an onion with some deep, deep layers. In this episode, Matt Millsap and Henry Rigdon join Logan to help peel back those layers to see if Death Stranding stinks or surprisingly smells like a rose.
Housekeeping (5:56)
The Games We've Been Playing (7:53)
Topic (18:55)
Is Death Stranding designed to put forth a pro-life message? This is something that was noticeably absent from many reviews and reactions when it first came out. There was plenty of talk about how the game is a walking simulator in many a review but is Death Stranding merely a walking simulator? We here at TRG disagree and believe Death Stranding to be so much more.
Patron Thank You's! (1:17:26)
TRG would not be here without our Patrons! Thank you to those who supported TRG in the month of September: AaronElWhite, Alex Castellanos, Andre Swann, Ashley Kronenbitter, Chris Freeman, Christopher Commander, Darryl Tavares, David Henderson, David Matthews, Derek Smith, Isaac.stultz, Jake Walker, Jeff Jackson Jr., Jimmy Changa, JoAnne Monroe, Joe Morgan, Josh Broccolo, Kokorodaki, Luke Strain, Mark Fromme, Matt Edwards, Matthew “White Chocolate” McDougal, Matthew Millsap, Melvin Benson V, Micah Hendrick, Michael Toller, MrButts, Nate McKeever, Paige Pinson, Retro Rewind Podcast, Ryan1701e, Sam White, Samuel Colunga, Savon Pena, Third Strongest Mole, Travis, Vincent Yu, WeathermanKeef, Wesley Rea, Xaviel Medina
Reco's! (1:19:07)
Thank you for listening to The Reformed Gamers! We would love to connect with you. Join our Discord using this link or following us on our different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. You can financially support the show, monthly, on Patreon and get extra perks.
As school begins to start back up across the country, we brought on Henshin Dad himself, Wesley Rea, commemorating his 5th time on the podcast to discuss how teachers can use different aspects of gaming to enhance the classroom. If you're an educator, new or veteran, you do not want to miss this episode.
What Have We Been Playing (06:15)
Wes brings back the Dark Ages by playing multiple Final Fantasy games. Logan can't seem to stop playing Sekiro and Adam discusses his frustrations and highlights with the the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD.
Topic (17:17)
Gaming has many applications. But did you know that gaming can be used in the classroom? The guys discuss gaming's impact on education through gamification, discuss the different ways it's implemented, as well as it's use as a tool to connect with students.
Housekeeping (53:10)
Reco's! (53:45)
Keep Up with the Henshin Dad
Thank you for listening to The Reformed Gamers! We would love to connect with you. Join our Discord using this link or following us on our different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. You can financially support the show, monthly, on Patreon or by purchasing some TRG merch over on our shop!
Recently, things like tabletop games and escape rooms have risen in popularity. Along with that have come new ways to play games like murder mystery subscription boxes. These have massive potential to reform the way people play games while opening some opportunities for ministry. Join us as we sit down with Jeff and discuss these kinds of games.
Housekeeping (7:21)
What Have We Been Playing (8:34)
Jeff dives in to the tabletop side of games and shares about a card game that you can play with one hand. Logan takes to the seas in Sea of Thieves, again, and finally finishes Metroid: Zero Mission.
What Have We Been Reading (21:23)
The guys discuss how to enjoy the life that God has given us and the cure to anxiety from Ecclesiastes and Josh Weidman's "The End of Anxiety".
Topic (29:30)
As stated before, escape rooms have grown in popularity. So much so that many companies are now even offering escape room experiences via subscription boxes. Escape Room Mystery is even extending a special offer to our listeners: use code DEER50 at checkout to get 50% off your first box of Capture the Killer. Head over to their website, use the code, and try out this unique way of gaming for yourself!
Patron Thank You's (1:25:10)
A big thank you for our Deer Patrons for the month of July: AaronElWhite, Alex Castellanos, Andre Swann, Ashley Kronenbitter, Chris Freeman, Christopher Commander, Darryl Tavares, David Henderson, David Matthews, Derek Smith, Isaac.stultz, Jake Walker, Jeff Jackson Jr., Jimmy Changa, JoAnne Monroe, Josh Broccolo, Kokorodaki, Luke Strain, Mark Fromme, Matt Edwards, Matthew “White Chocolate” McDougal, Matt Millsap, Melvin Benson V, Micah Hendrick, Michael Toller, MrButts, Nate McKeever, Peter Piper, Retro Rewind Podcast, Ryan1701e, Sam White, Savon Pena, Third Strongest Mole, Travis, WeathermanKeef, Wesley Rea, Xaviel Medina
Reco's! (1:27:10)
A huge thank you to irok4creativity for the cover art of this episode.
Keep up with Jeff on Twitter and Instagram.
Thank you for listening to The Reformed Gamers! We would love to connect with you. Join our Discord using this link or following us on our different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. You can financially support the show, monthly, on Patreon or by purchasing some TRG merch over on our shop!
You may know Eric Bailey from viral tweets or read something he has written over on Nintendo Life or Hard Drive Mag. Perhaps, you’ve even played his game Octobug. In this episode, we’re excited to talk to Eric about being on social media, developing games, and writing some hilarious satire.
Housekeeping (1:50)
What Have We Been Playing (3:39)
Adam takes a swing at Mario Golf and contemplates abandoning Mass Effect 3. Logan delves into Final Fantasy XII while taking to the open seas in Sea of Thieves.
What Have We Been Reading (22:40)
The guys discuss how big God really is in both providence and sovereignty.
Topic (33:50)
As stated before, we got to sit down with Eric Bailey to discuss game development, what Christians can do better on social media, and some of his favorite games. You can check out Eric's work and socials below:
Reco's (1:13:51)
Thank you for listening to The Reformed Gamers! We would love to connect with you. Join our Discord using this link or following us on our different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. You can financially support the show, monthly, on Patreon or by purchasing some TRG merch over on our shop!
Has Resident Evil lost it's way?
After beating Resident Evil Village 4 times, it's time to discuss the game. Adam is out on vacation (aka avoids spooky games like vegetables) so Christian content creator, ReformedJedi, joins Logan on this episode to discuss the latest in the Resident Evil franchise. The game is a wild ride but it begs the question: has Village taken the RE series past the point of no return? We also discuss if the game is too violent, if there's any redemptive themes, and some of the problems the game presents.
Housekeeping (3:36)
What Have You Been Playing (4:21)
Jedi and Logan share what makes Returnal good and bad. Logan also shares if Biomutant is worth picking up.
What Have You Been Reading (14:41)
Jedi digs back in to the Symphony of Scripture: Making Sense of the Bible's Many Themes (after a few year hiatus from putting the book down). Logan gets in to Hebrews 13:7-9 as students graduate in his youth group and encourages them to remember their leaders.
Topic (21:37)
Resident Evil blazed a new trail in Resident Evil 7. Village continues this trend but also hits a few bumps in the road. Is Resident Evil Village one of the best in the series or does it flounder and stumble? Jedi and Logan also discuss if there are any redemptive uses of horror in entertainment. As always, there is a spoiler-free section of the topic and there is ample warnings before diving in to spoilers. Spoiler discussion begins at 32:53.
Reco's! (1:09:49)
Follow ReformedJedi on Twitter, Twitch, Instagram, and YouTube!
Thank you for listening to The Reformed Gamers! We would love to connect with you. Join our Discord using this link or following us on our different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. You can financially support the show, monthly, on Patreon or by purchasing some TRG merch over on our shop!