RIP Xbox: Layoffs and Industry Fallout w/ Giovanni Colantonio
Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft's recent layoffs but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.In the wake of an 80 billion dollar investment in AI and the layoff of over 9000 workers, Microsoft ain't lookin' so hot. What does this mean for the rest of the video game industry? Special guest Giovanni Colantonio joins Eric and Nadia to precisely that!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com
Also in this episode:
The starfish part of Animorphs
Who tanks the Uber driver?
Persona 5: The Phantom X's Subway Slammer
Summer Games Done Quick
Battle Train
Rematch
Umamusume
Timestamps:
6:56 - Main Topic - What Is Happening At Xbox?
1:02:16 - Random Encounters
1:04:00 - The Tavern
1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Entry of the Gladiators - [Julius Fucik]
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Lunar Knights]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Palma - [Phantasy Star]
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1:41:39
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1:41:39
Defend Your Favorite Final Fantasy w/ Sena Bryer
To celebrate our 4th Annual Trans Lifeline Charity Livestream, Sena Bryer of Final Fantasy XIV fame is here to fight to the death! Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Sena will enter the ring with their favorite Final Fantasy but only one can emerge victorious. It's a debate for the ages with hot takes that would make a purposely-inflammatory youtube thumbnail blush. You'll pay for the whole seat but you'll only need the edge on this very special episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com
Also in this episode:
Final Fantasy XVI for Switch 2
Monster Hunter Update
Why Sakaguchi was the Boss
The Front Mission 3 Disaster
Timestamps:
14:52 - Main Topic - Defend Your Favorite Final Fantasy
1:29:08 - Random Encounters
1:38:38 - The Tavern - Kat's Attempt to Finish FF7 Rebirth, and FFXIV Update
1:20:32 - SENA'S NOSTALGIA NOOK
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Lunar Knights]
Filter Branch - [PlayOnline Viewer]
Final Fantasy Main Theme - [Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra]
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2:03:31
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2:03:31
2025's Best RPGs So Far, What To Look Forward To
We're halfway through 2025 and if we were only judging years by the quality of their RPGs this would be a pretty good one! By every other metric; it sure is a year!This week Kat, Nadia, and Eric are recapping the RPG standouts of the year so far and predicting what hits we still have on the horizon!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com
Also in this episode:
Clair Obscur
100 Line
Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering
Monster Hunter Wilds PC optimization
Elden Ring: Nightreign's longevity
Kingdom Come Deliverance II
Fantasy Life i
Deltarune 3 + 4
Pokemon Legends Z-A
A lot of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Discourse
Timestamps:
9:04 - Main Topic - 2025 So Far
46:56 - 2025 RPGs to Watch Out For
1:01:16 - Random Encounters
I dunno, it just blends into Random Encounter lately - The Tavern
1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Lunar Knights]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Abandoned Ship - [Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire]
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1:47:56
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1:47:56
Final Fantasy x Magic: the Gathering Primer w/ Shivam Bhatt
It's time to duel!The Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set is here and the hosts have been ripping packs and building decks. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by special guest Shivam Bhatt to dive into the deep cuts, the flavor, the art, and everything about this landmark moment in FF and MtG history.Also, it's me; I'm the FFXIII guy who knows what Fal'cie and L'cie are. It's honestly pretty straightforward.Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com
Also in this episode:
Fantasy Life i
How fish give birth
The Zelda Movie
Eric's journey to Summer Games Fest
The Expanse RPG
Critical Role's move to crush Dungeons & Dragons
Eric's phrase of the day!
Timestamps:
5:40 - Main Topic - Magic: the Gathering Primer
42:56 - How to Get Into Magic
1:06:16 - Random Encounters
1:35:12 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Mhaura Selbina Voyager - [Final Fantasy Tribute Thanks]
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1:54:35
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1:54:35
Bonus: New Xbox Handheld, Persona 4 Revival, and Showcase Reax
Editor's Note: While we opted to cover this showcase, we would be remiss if we didn't once again highlight the ongoing Xbox boycott
A Persona 4 remake! An Xbox handheld! Some actual RPGs! But no Fable? Kat and Nadia react to the Xbox Showcase and speculate on what's in store in 2026.
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com
Timestamps:
0:10 - Xbox handheld reax
7:20 - Persona 4 Revival
10:39 - Clockwork Revolution
13:46 - Roundup: Animo, Fallout 76, and more
22:00 - Xbox's outlook in 2026
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen explore Final Fantasy, Skyrim, and all the best in the wonderful world of role-playing video games! Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod