
Insights from recent episode analysis
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Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
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Total monthly reach
Estimated from 11 chart positions in 11 markets.
By chart position
- 🇺🇸US · Video Games#9430K to 100K
- 🇩🇪DE · Video Games#1095K to 30K
- 🇬🇧GB · Video Games#1485K to 30K
- 🇯🇵JP · Video Games#8410K to 30K
- 🇵🇭PH · Video Games#3510K to 30K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
22K to 80K🎙 Daily cadence·104 episodes·Last published 4d ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
73K to 265K🇺🇸38%🇩🇪11%🇬🇧11%+8 more - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
29K to 106K
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Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
From 16 epsHosts
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Recent episodes
Ep 107: Xbox Studios Facing Closure, EA's New Ad Platform, UK Teen Social Ban
Jun 21, 2026
Unknown duration
Ep 106: Xbox Preparing Layoffs, Nintendo Direct, Pokemon Go Military Defense Data
Jun 14, 2026
Unknown duration
VGBees SGF 2026 Post-Show Debrief
Jun 13, 2026
Unknown duration
Ep 105: Summer Game Fest 2026 Showcase, Tupac, Final Fantasy VII Revelation
Jun 7, 2026
1h 38m 30s
Ep 104: Witcher 3 DLC, Steam Deck Price Hikes, & 007 First Light w/ Jeff Gerstmann
May 31, 2026
3h 08m 09s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/21/26 | ![]() Ep 107: Xbox Studios Facing Closure, EA's New Ad Platform, UK Teen Social Ban | This week, John, Niki, and Lotus go very long on this week's seismic Xbox news, including the numerous studio closures on the table, key departures, and Microsoft CEO's Satya Nadella's curious take on why their gaming arm is struggling.00:00:00 Intro & Lotus' Big Saturday00:11:10 South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games is the unsurprising yet disappointing first studio to confirm possible closure or spinoff00:17:00 A long, great conversation about the games media's role in reporting on these layoffs and closures00:28:00 How Xbox got here (mostly)00:48:52 Satya Nadella seems to be confused about how Xbox got into this jam00:54:00 That Senua sequel was only announced to help fuel a possible sale of Ninja Theory01:02:14 The weight of working in corporate-owned game development right now01:06:34 Key personnel leaving Xbox01:07:56 What's the plan moving forward for Xbox?01:16:10 EA introducing new in-game advertising platform01:25:57 UK government is banning teens from social media; plan will not work01:33:10 Fuck's Quest 2 lacks consistent humor and mechanical clarity01:37:07 Niki played the first two Sonic games on Genesis (skip this part, Sonic fans!!!)01:45:10 John decided to give Ocarina of Time another try01:49:10 Our latest (possibly final) thoughts on 007 First Light02:02:47 Hive Questions02:18:12 OutroThanks for listening!Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot.VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/joinVGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus. | — | ||||||
| 6/14/26 | ![]() Ep 106: Xbox Preparing Layoffs, Nintendo Direct, Pokemon Go Military Defense Data | Lotus, Niki, and John recovered from Summer Game Fest 2026 and reconvened (in home studios, not John's car) to discuss an extremely busy news week, including Xbox preparing major layoffs, Nintendo Direct revealing the Ocarina of Time remake, and more information dropping about Pokemon Go and its role in data gathering for defense purposes.00:00:00 Intro & how waffle fries are madeGo to nogamesforgenocide.com to learn more about the BDS movement and Microsoft's continued role in the ongoing atrocities in Gaza.00:08:20 Asha Sharma writes memo to Xbox staff; heavy layoffs reported00:25:00 Xbox console exclusives are returning00:37:30 Lotus' 50 most anticipated indies from the week's showcases00:40:10 Nintendo Direct reveals Ocarina of Time remake; is Nintendo bored?00:47:10 Kingdom Hearts IV is here and looks like it looks00:49:00 Final Fantasy Resonance strips the gacha out of mobile game inspiration00:52:00 God of War Laufey creates an interesting branch for the series00:55:37 How do waffle fries work? (part 2)00:56:38 RGG wants to explore what Tupac's life could've been in Stranger Than Heaven01:01:17 PlayerUnknown facing layoffs01:03:56 RPG Maker forums shuttering and migrating01:11:20 Team17 eliminating marketing department01:13:24 Crazy Taxi reboot working with generative AI art flow01:16:45 GOG sends out email with Nazi symbols in subject line01:25:06 Ubisoft shutting down two studios01:28:05 Pokemon Go likely being used to collect data for defense contracts01:31:15 Blood Dungeon is Vampire Survivors in platformer mode01:35:10 Onimusha: Way of the Sword is perfectly competent action combat from Capcom01:40:18 John (almost) corrects the record on last week's Code Veronica misadventure01:43:55 NBA The Run is a shallow facsimile of better arcade basketball games01:46:20 Niki opens a Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes pack01:50:45 Lotus went to Distant Worlds (the Final Fantasy concert) and did not have a great time02:19:25 We answer your burning Hive Questions02:44:06 OutroThanks for listening!Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot.VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/joinVGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus. | — | ||||||
| 6/13/26 | ![]() VGBees SGF 2026 Post-Show Debrief | Join Niki and John from Los Angeles as they debrief from a lively Summer Game Fest 2026.At this point, most embargoes were still in effect, but we hope you enjoy discussion regarding:Blood Dungeon, Messhof's latest gameSonic Pico ParkThe Games Business interview with Matthew Ballbad hotel fish tacosThanks for listening!Please leave us a review! We'll read it on the show and it helps us out a lot.VGBees is ad-free, AI-free, and completely supported by you! https://vgbees.com/joinVGBees is a weekly games media podcast hosted by Niki, John, and Lotus. | — | ||||||
| 6/7/26 | ![]() Ep 105: Summer Game Fest 2026 Showcase, Tupac, Final Fantasy VII Revelation✨ | Summer Game Fest 2026video game reveals+3 | Lotus | Resident Evil VeronicaFinal Fantasy VII Revelation+1 | — | Summer Game Festvideo games+3 | — | 1h 38m 30s | |
| 5/31/26 | ![]() Ep 104: Witcher 3 DLC, Steam Deck Price Hikes, & 007 First Light w/ Jeff Gerstmann✨ | video game newsDLC announcements+3 | Jeff Gerstmann | Witcher 3Steam Deck+10 | — | Witcher 3Steam Deck+6 | — | 3h 08m 09s | |
| 5/24/26 | ![]() Ep 103: Embracer Restructures Again, Destiny 2 Development Ending, PS Plus Price Hikes✨ | gaming newsvideo game development+5 | — | PS5 ProEmbracer+4 | US | EmbracerDestiny 2+6 | — | 3h 09m 41s | |
| 5/24/26 | ![]() The Pittcast Season Two w/ Danielle Riendeau✨ | medical dramaAI in healthcare+4 | Danielle Riendeau | GameDeveloper.comPolygon+4 | New York City | The PittDanielle Riendeau+7 | — | 1h 43m 07s | |
| 5/17/26 | ![]() Ep 102: Subnautica 2 Smashes Sales Expectations, Leaked Xbox Controllers, More Game Unions✨ | video game salesXbox controllers+3 | — | KRAFTONSony+9 | — | Subnautica 2Xbox controllers+8 | — | 2h 27m 41s | |
| 5/10/26 | ![]() Ep 101: Star Fox 64 Remake, LEGO Batman, Mina the Hollower Release Date✨ | video game newsgame releases+4 | — | Star Fox 64 RemakeLEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight+9 | — | Star Fox 64 RemakeLEGO Batman+4 | — | 2h 10m 32s | |
| 5/7/26 | ![]() The Pittcast Season One w/ Danielle Riendeau✨ | medical dramareal life emergencies+4 | Danielle Riendeau | PolygonWaypoint+4 | — | The PittDanielle Riendeau+6 | — | 1h 19m 40s | |
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| 5/3/26 | ![]() Ep 100: GameStop Preps eBay Purchase, usTwo's CEO Blunder, Paste Games Shuts Down✨ | GameStopeBay acquisition+5 | — | GameStopeBay+10 | — | GameStopeBay+5 | — | 3h 10m 22s | |
| 4/26/26 | ![]() It's Okay For The Boys To Be Childish✨ | lawsuitvideo game industry+5 | — | Mr. BeastXbox Game Pass+6 | — | Mr. BeastXbox Game Pass+7 | — | 2h 07m 41s | |
| 4/19/26 | ![]() VGBees Woke Camp 2026✨ | video game newsgame industry layoffs+3 | — | Xenosaga Pied PiperFinal Fantasy XIV+8 | — | Disney layoffsMarvel visual effects+6 | — | 2h 17m 50s | |
| 4/12/26 | ![]() The Assassination of Piglet by the Coward Buzz Lightyear✨ | video game newsMicrosoft controversies+4 | — | Slay the Spire 2Epic+6 | — | video gamesMicrosoft+6 | — | 2h 40m 13s | |
| 4/5/26 | ![]() Garry's Mod II: Electric Boogaloo✨ | video game newsgame development+4 | — | S&boxGarry's Mod+11 | — | Garry's Mod IIEidos-Montreal layoffs+7 | — | 2h 05m 41s | |
| 3/29/26 | ![]() Nintendo's Slice of Life Spring✨ | Nintendo releasesvideo game industry news+4 | — | Animal CrossingSwitch 2+11 | Ireland | NintendoAnimal Crossing+6 | — | 2h 14m 04s | |
| 3/22/26 | ![]() Deep Learning Super Sampling Five✨ | DLSS 5Nvidia technology+4 | — | NvidiaDigital Foundry+11 | — | DLSS 5Nvidia+6 | — | 2h 05m 09s | |
| 3/15/26 | ![]() The Battle of Yerba Buena✨ | video game newsgame reviews+3 | — | Mega Man: Dual OverrideV-Bucks+10 | — | SonyEA+7 | — | 2h 33m 38s | |
| 3/8/26 | ![]() At Long Last, Nintendo Gets Litigious✨ | Nintendo lawsuitPokémon+5 | — | The Sims 4Pokémon+14 | — | NintendoPokémon+7 | — | 2h 42m 50s | |
| 3/1/26 | ![]() Voluntarily Surrendering Your License To Print Money w/ Michael Higham | On this week's show, the crew deals with several major post-scripts from last week's jam-packed news discussion block. Fortunately, Lotus, Niki, and John are joined by certified GOAT Michael Higham to unpack it all.Michael beat Resident Evil Requiem and John played it on Switch 2The global storage shortage gets very real with Seagate and Western Digital allocating stock of hard drives through 2026Valve is revisiting the timeline of their new hardware suiteSteam Deck OLED stock is out intermittently in major regionsSony and Nintendo both evaluating delays and price hikes for hardwareTiMi's Montreal studio closingTurns out we were right about pretty much everything we discussed regarding Tencent and Highguard last weekMicrosoft Japan under investigation for monopolistic practicesDiscord delaying age verification amid backlashskate developer laying off unknown number of staffNew York Attorney General suing Valve over loot boxesUK Advertising Committee issues enforcement over loot boxesEurogamer hit with layoffsBlueprint pitched a Bloodborne remake before its closurePokemon Winds & Waves revealed for 2027 releaseMichael and Niki played MarathonNiki and John played Vampire CrawlersNiki played Titanium CourtMichael played CicadamataThe crew answers your burning HIVE QUESTIONS from our lovely DiscordThanks for listening! Join The Hive by going to vgbees.com/join today! | — | ||||||
| 2/22/26 | ![]() Xbox Deserves This | Support us by joining The Hive!This week's show was packed to the gills with discussion-worthy topics and that was before Phil Spencer announced his retirement, Sarah Bond resigned, and Asha Sharma ascended the Xbox throne. From there, Lotus, Niki, and John discussed:Sony shutting down BluepointTencent allegedly funded HighguardCastlevania franchise and Metal Gear Solid V dev Shutaro Ida passed away at 52Hideki Sato, "Father of Sega Hardware," passed away at 77Open-source engine Godot overwhelmed by AI-generated change requestsCall of Duty: Black Ops 7 ad banned in the UKSubstack and Polymarket partner upSaudi fund takes full control of EvoWe played:OverwatchMoonrotWe also answered your burning HIVE QUESTIONS from our lovely Discord! | — | ||||||
| 2/15/26 | ![]() Are You Strong Enough To Be My Cat w/ Charles Harte | SUPPORT US BY JOINING THE HIVEFolks, this week was VERY jam-packed with discussion-worthy games news and that was BEFORE we even welcomed Game Informer's Charles Harte to the show. Together, Lotus, Niki, John, and Charles discussed:Mewgenics' blend of deep, enjoyable tactical combat and off-putting breeding mechanicsThe, let's call them rancid, vibes of Mewgenics' central thesisMewgenics' commitment to not understanding a punchlineMewgenics' bewildering cameo listSony's State of Play was very busy, as well, including:A Return to PS2 Era of sortsKena: Scars of KosmoraA new Dead or Alive game in a very different fighting game landscapeIs Control Resonant what we want? Does it matter? Are they even showing us much?Star Wars Galactic Racer sure does look like a Burnout game (complimentary)Marathon is actively lying about what it is, but maybe that's smart????Metal Gear Solid 4 is breaking PS3 containmentGod of War: Sons of Sparta looks kinda bad, but it's out nowAnd wow, the hits don't stop there:Discord's age verification is going to get messyDiscord's Teen Council sounds like a waking nightmare2XKO lays off significant staff because the game failed to hit its audienceUbisoft employees in Europe begin three-day strike while the company explores "voluntary termination" option for 200 positions in FranceHighguard team lays off significant staff just weeks after launchWe played/watched:MewgenicsRelootedTears of the KingdomPelotonIron Lung (the film)We also answer your burning HIVE QUESTIONS straight from our lovely Discord and update you on big happenings at Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati. | — | ||||||
| 2/8/26 | ![]() Tycho and The Heavy Fold | This week, the whole gang is back together to discuss the biggest games news of the week, which sometimes wasn't about games at all! Including:Iron Lung opens #2 at domestic box office, paving the way for perhaps a new wave of independent film distributionAshes of Creation developer closes after clash between Creative Director and BoardBorderlands 4 Nintendo Switch 2 port "on pause" indefinitelyPoker Night at the Inventory is getting a new release after years of license limboCrunchyroll to produce original gamesPlus, there was a Nintendo Partner Direct:Orbitals was best in show (again)Resident Evil Requiem actually looks great on Switch 2Final Fantasy VII Rebirth coming to Switch 2 this summerLotus and Niki bully John about disliking Fallout 4The entire panel is split about whether The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a good titleTurok: Origins looks like Monster Hunter with guns kindaWe played:Ball x PitTears of the KingdomTitanium CourtHermit and PigFinally, we answer your burning HIVE QUESTIONS straight from our lovely Discord. | — | ||||||
| 2/1/26 | ![]() Abandoning Your Launch Strategy 101 | With Lotus on the International Space Station this week, John and Niki wasted no time discussing these completely relevant topics:MoisturizerHaircarePelotonTchoukballOkay but they did get down to the most important games news of the week, including:The Highguard team quit their shadowdrop plans to take a slot at The Game AwardsCould Geoff not fill the last slot of the evening?What does it mean for next year's pricing for trailer space?Why Highguard's reworked launch strategy might not pay offWhy the Highguard preview event could've worked in their favor with a different strategyDr Disrespect lied about attending the Highguard preview eventVampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 missed expectations as Paradox is down year over year in operating profitJeffrey Epstein was banned from Xbox Live in 2013Peloton lays off 11% of its staff amid AI failuresShould we kill the CEOs in our heads?Is there literally any benefit from creating Nintendo knockoffs in Google Genie and writing about it?We played:HighguardThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomMARVEL Cosmic InvasionWe also answer your burning HIVE QUESTIONS from our lovely Discord, including:Which burner on your stove is the best burner?What's your next tattoo?Is an MBA worth it?If you couldn't talk about video games, what would the show be about? | — | ||||||
| 1/25/26 | ![]() Ubisoft Creative House Six: Earmarked for the Public Investment Fund | This week, Niki, John, and Lotus confront the biggest gaming stories of the week, including:Ubisoft's major reorg, including game cancelations and new structuresTencent getting into podcasts, which we're sure will go greatMarathon gets a release date and a surprising collector's editionCapcom experiments with generative AI to stop being creativeFable takes a baffling stance on morality in the year 2026Highguard is out so very soonWe played:Animal Crossing: New HorizonsSéance at Blake ManorPocoTR-49Also, we answer your burning HIVE QUESTIONS from our lovely Discord. | — | ||||||
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Chart Positions
12 placements across 11 markets.
Chart Positions
12 placements across 11 markets.
