As Chris packs for Boston and we switch off the lights, the Idle Thumbs Podcast finishes up with a bunch of talk about video games, interspersed with loosely related distractions and stories. Thanks for listening!

Games Discussed: BioShock Infinite, Fallout 2, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, BioShock 2: Minerva's Den, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect 2, Fruit Ninja, Imperial 2030

Don the Silken Goku. Enthusiastically pore over our collection of galactic maps, carefully curated battle decks, and lushly rendered hexagonal tiles, while we try to tell you about game development, girls, and sports.

Games Discussed: Civilization V, BioShock 2: Minerva's Den, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, Jagged Alliance, Metal Gear Acid 2, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Achievement Unlocked 2, 2010 FIFA World Cup, Mass Effect 2

In this far-flung cyborg future of video game discussion, nobody known where the cast ends and the break begins, when your last shred of humanity gives way to a robot soul, or why you're full of ants. One thing is for sure, though: you will pay to click a cow.

Games Discussed: StarCraft II, Cow Clicker, Street Fighter X Tekken, Tekken X StarCraft, Red Dead Redemption, Toy Story 3: The Video Game, SimCity (iPhone), SimAnt, Darkspore, Deus Ex 3, Singularity, Back Into Samuel L. Jackson's Arm, Kitty Tap HD

Though the above choices may seem limiting, we feel they'll be sufficient. Also discussed: space marines, branching narratives, childhood and the human condition. With special guest Sean Vanaman.

Games Discussed: Limbo, Alien Swarm, Dead Space 2, Rayman: Origins, Moonbase Alpha, Transformice, The Adventures of WIlly Beamish, Alpha Protocol, Mass Effect, Dragon Age 2, Far Cry 2, Rock Band 3, The New York Times Crosswords

In video games, you can trust no one. Everyone is in on it, everyone but you. In video games nothing is real. Or, if it is, we're pretty sure you're seeing it via the visions of a comatose police officer, through the projection of genetic memories hurtled into your brain through time at tremendous speed, or in the dreams of a sleeping cartoon dog. With special guest Sean Vanaman.

Games Discussed: Assassin's Creed 2, Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands, Portal 2, Snoopy's Flying Ace, Driver San Francisco, Alpha Protocol, Crackdown 2

As E3 approaches, as the music genre splits to offer the ultimate fantasy or the ultimate reality, as the future of games prepares to descend in a storm of cameras and holographic children, we talk about a bunch of things with little to no bearing on E3. For now, at least. With special guests Sean Vanaman, and a tape recording of Nick Breckon.

Games Discussed: Rock Band 3, Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, Red Dead Redemption, Alpha Protocol, Neptune's Pride, Hearts of Iron 3, Civilization Revolution (iPhone)

A minicast of rambling awaits you within. Activision continues to cut its baffling path through the industry, as Chris and Steve discover that an enemy never forgets. With special guest star Video Games.

Games Discussed: Halo: Combat Evolved, Splinter Cell: Conviction, The Operative: No One Lives Forever, No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way, A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way 2: The Operative, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, Deadly Premonition

Special guest Sean Vanaman joins us on a slow motion journey through strategy and space as we talk about the Infinity Ward kerfuffle, the most honest week in StarCraft history, and how from the outside, bullet time looks really fast, and dumb. We think it will pique your magic, in an interesting way.

Games Discussed: StarCraft, Flotilla, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, Red Dead Redemption, Oops! All Bullet Time, Neptune's Pride, Imperial 2030, The Impossible Game, Dark Void Zero, Team Fortress 2, Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony, Mr. Bucket, and Far Cry 2 as Alice

Thumbs returns from its whirlwind tour of every convention and expo one could reasonably cram into two weeks, to ruminate on the rise of connectivity, the future of "real games," and whether or not Nicolas Cage will ever leave the bathroom. Also lots of games.

Games Discussed: Joe Danger, Crackdown 2, Marble Madness, Klax, SWAT 4, Plain Sight, Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned, BioShock 2, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, Neptune's Pride, Kayne & Lynch: Dead Men, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Bad Boys II, The Last Express, Hitman: Codename 47, Far Cry 2, Video Game Helmet Games Studio, BioShock demo

In a daring escape accompanied by expert commentary, The Idle Thumbs Podcast crew managed to narrowly evade being overrun by a rampaging army of BigDogs flying the Sony flag, aided only by a pneumatic rifle and a an infinite supply of parachutes. Video games.

Games Discussed: Metro 2033, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, Just Cause 2, Shatter, Chime, CPU Bach, Shadow and the Colossus 2: Everything's Windmills Everywhere (In Hell). Consoles Discussed: Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Autodesk 3ds Max 4

GDC 2010 ends and we emerge, stumbling through our sleep-deprived, Will Wright-fueled mental haze, to bring you this podcast. We're joined by special guest Sean Vanaman of Telltale Games. 2010.

Things Discussed: Will Wright, Soren Johnson, Sid Meier's Civilization IV, Sid Meier's Civilization V, Sid Meier, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, BioShock 2, Far Cry 2, Video Game Development

Video game news explodes, as two unrelated sentient robots -- one good, one evil, both out of control -- battle to the death for headline dominance. Amidst the wash of corporate power-plays, decapitations, and ASCII art, we also talk about the Indie Fund, and play some games.

Games Discussed: Flotilla, StarCraft 2, BioShock 2, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, Far Cry 2, Blitz II: The League, Gears of War, Mass Effect 3: Everything's Gay Dudes Everywhere - The Ballad of Gay Shepard (If You Want Him To Be Gay), The Capper

This week the past returns, distilled to its core and a little prettier. And on a hex grid, most likely. Also discussed: Scoops horn. If video games made you fly, that would probably be really scary.

Games Discussed: Civilization V, StarCraft 2, Command & Conquer 4, STALKER: Call of Pripyat, Resident Evil 5: Lost In Nightmares, Buzz Aldrin's Race Into Space, Team Fortress 2

Idle Thumbs is dead. Long live The Idle Thumbs Podcast. It took a little longer than we thought, but we're here. Chris, Jake, and Steve catch up on the last few months, talk about video games a lot. Welcome back!

Games Discussed: BioShock 2, BioShock, System Shock 2, Deus Ex, Heavy Rain, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect, Aladdin (SNES), Dante's Inferno, War and War, The Body Count of Monte Cristo, The Origin of the Species: Origins

Idle Thumbs goes out with some attempt at a bang, by way of a two and a half hour mega episode. The unrelenting Dragon Age revokes Nick's gamer card, Chris can't stop playing Torchlight, and Jake keeps spinning around on the floor. Also featuring farewells aplenty, Dreamcast 2, exclusive Steve Ballmer DLC, and good news.

Games Discussed: Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect, Far Cry 2, Torchlight, Fate, Star Control II, Shattered Horizons, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Hammerfight, Trine

For all your bustin' needs, we present: video games. We create a scale and proceed to visit both ends, taking gentle, guided adventures with famed explorers and robot pals, while our asses are gingerly handed to us by murderous hoards and off-brand knockoff platformers. Note: No bargos were busted in the making of this episode.

Games Discussed: Torchlight, Uncharted 2, Machinarium, Super Mario 86, Diablo II, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Game), Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Film), and of course Far Cry 2

After putting the finishing touches on Torchlight, Runic Games co-founders and Diablo co-creators Max and Erich Schaefer did what game industry luminaries always do after wrapping a project: drive over to the Idle Thumbs podcast. We chat at length with Max about the new action RPG, the Blizzard North days, and unreleased football games. And Erich pipes in at the end.

Games Discussed: Torchlight, Diablo, Diablo II, Justice League Task Force, Unnamed Condor NFL game

As the darkness draws in and the last days creep ever closer, we're joined by 2K Marin's Steve Gaynor for a rousing discussion of video games in the outer reaches of space. While there, we discuss the PS3's recent trips to polar opposites of the hand-holding spectrum, lament the disappearance of Modern Warfare 2's dedicated servers, and are paid a surprise visit by an asshole.

Games Discussed: Demon's Souls, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Far Cry 2, God Hand, Half-Minute Hero, Red Faction: Guerrilla, Dragon Age: Origins, Crimson Skies (PC), Sim Mars, The Beatles Rock Band: Abbey Road, Rock Band 2: Queen DLC

All rise. At his command, Chris and Jake play a bunch of Brütal Legend, while Nick frantically stockpiles gas cans to make it through Left 4 Dead 2's Scavenger mode, all the while trying to come to grips with his feelings on Borderlands. Plus a song about video games, but probably not what you're thinking.

Games Discussed: Brütal Legend, Left 4 Dead 2, Diablo, Borderlands, Risen

The Idle Thumbs podcast turns one year old on Saturday, and to celebrate we bring you a regular episode. This week we wipe a curmudgeonly tear from our classic PC gaming eye, and find yet again that making fun of something we thought could never exist only seems to bring it to life. Plus: "Video game stories are serious business," says madly hopping, car-flipping, building-smashing man.

Games Discussed: Red Faction: Guerrilla, The Ripper, Tales of Monkey Island, Metal Gear Solid, Mass Effect 2, Stargoose

Bred in a top secret government lab, or maybe an orphan or a robot or something, this episode hopes to punch you in the face and call you a bitch. Our marketing research shows that this appeals to you. Really, though, we talk about some games.

Games Discussed: Mass Effect 2, Halo 3: ODST, Left 4 Dead: Crash Course, The Shivah, Majesty II: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim, Blaster Master, Perfect Dark

With Nick Breckon out on assignment, things go a little bit wrong. 2K Marin's Steve Gaynor joins us for this week's descent into a tempest of hard-boiled corruption and deceit, where no one knows who to trust or where to turn. And when Master Chief is suddenly kidnapped, Salacious Crumb is on the case. We're pretty sure ODST is like a film noir, so we took some cues from that.

Games Discussed: Halo 3: ODST, Scribblenauts, Policenauts, Dante's Inferno, Flame-Sim, Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess, Cabela's Monster Bass

This week Chris and Nick don some custom callsigns to check out Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer, become terrified by the high definition frog face of Zuma's Revenge, and almost steal Jeff Goldblum's shoes. As for Jake? He is only good at keeping people focused on the deep depression.

Games Discussed: Modern Warfare 2, Mini Ninjas, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Resident Evil 5, The Beatles Rock Band, Zuma's Revenge, Guitar Hero Cereal Prize, King Arthur's World, Gameloft's Entire Library, Fire Guy

For just one night, into your face we cast not pods, but dreams. Our dreams are powered by robot hands with pistol grips, three part harmonies and too many microphones, but we're thinking you'll find something you like.

Games Discussed: The Beatles: Rock Band, Left 4 Dead 2, DeathSpank, Shank, Torchlight, Mass Effect 2 (spoiler free!), Supreme Commander 2, Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station, Novint Falcon, dreamcast, nights into dreams

Idle Thumbs brings its PAX 2009 coverage to a close with a quick talk with Mass Effect 2's lead writer, Mac Walters. In Space.

Games Discussed: Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect

Nestled amongst rowdy board game players, the Idle Thumbs crew pins down Chet Faliszek of Valve to discuss Left 4 Dead 2 and how Madden offers but small comfort to Browns fans.

Games Discussed: Left 4 Dead 2, Civilization 4, Civilization Revolution, Open-World Crazy Chain Weapon Big Claws, Madden NFL 10, football

Idle Thumbs kicks off its PAX coverage and continues its trend of interviewing Monkey Island creator Ron Gilbert on a bidecennial basis with this hastily-edited affair. Enjoy.

Games Discussed: DeathSpank, The Secret of Monkey Island, Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, World of Warcraft, EVE Online, Animal Crossing

We play catch-up this week, clearing out both our backlog of nearly-current games, and our overflowing bag of reader mail.

Games Discussed: Batman: Arkham Asylum, Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor, Spider Solitaire, Time Donkey, Wander Donkey, Mass Effect, Gratuitous Space Battles, AaaaaAAaaaAAA!!! - A Reckless Disregard for Gravity, Novint Falcon

We're back from BlizzCon, abuzz with the latest biz from the Blizz. Also sampled: The Monk, The Wiz(ard).

Games Discussed: StarCraft II, Diablo 3, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, Battle.net, Mass Effect, Dragon Age: Origins, EVE Online, Trials HD, Trials 2: Second Edition, Action Supercross, WarCraft: Orcs and Humans, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Time Donkey

Following a double-barreled podblast assault, this week's baffling episode sees the Idle Thumbs valiantly but vainly struggle to stay on topic and discuss a new video game, despite dubious double entendres and threatening voice mails. How's our driving? Take a wild guess.

Games Discussed: Osmos, Dust 514, Mass Effect, League of Legends: Clash of Fates, Crazy Inventors, The Beatles: Rock Band, Rock Band 2, Burnout Paradise, Far Cry 2

With fleeting, ghostly visions of long- decommissioned Dragoons still haunting their minds, the Thumbs crew attempts to discuss StarCraft II while staving off the effects of sleep deprivation. Jake draws pictures. Plus, rumor has it Far Cry 2 makes its triumphant return--and there's only one way to find out. (Read the games discussed list.)

Games Discussed: StarCraft II, World of Warcraft, Far Cry 2

Chris and Nick got a chance to sit down with the multiplayer component of Double Fine Productions' upcoming Brutal Legend and are ready to share their hands-on impressions with you. Will Chris describe it in terms of Pikmin 2's versus mode? Will Full Throttle be mentioned? Grab your axe, your axe, and probably your axe, and listen in.

Games Discussed: Brutal Legend, Pikmin, Pikmin 2

This week on the Thumb we dive into the many meanings of Nintendo's mysterious inflatable horse peripheral, reel at how many GameCubes are turned on right now, and debate whether "Castroid" is a game genre or horrible medical condition.

Games Discussed: Shadow Complex, Civilization Revolution (iPhone), Punch-Out!!, Bionic Commando, Batman: Arkham Asylum (Demo), Mass Effect, Waluigi's Waluland, Nintendo Horse Bag

A 386 perfectly captures his slam dunk. Looking down from space, you see the Earth and smile. Mid-swing, the game asks you to recalibrate, and you do it just this once. Sometimes, you gotta.

Games Discussed: Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta, Left 4 Dead Crash Course, Dawn of Discovery, Wii Sports Resort, Fat Princess, IL-2 Sturmovik, Subversion, Team Fortress 2: Brotherhood of Arms, Crash Bandicoot, Rebel Assault, TIE Fighter

Sometimes a podcast goes off the rails and is killed for the betterment of mankind. People occasionally ask why. Hopefully this provides an answer. Freshly exumed from the lot out behind Chris' apartment, enjoy the moist wreckage of the Idle Thumbs Episode 36 that wasn't. Won't titillate or offend, but might.

Games Discussed: Dragon Age: Origins, Dante's Inferno, Research & Development, Eets, Left 4 Dead 2, Bookworm Adventures

After an earlier attempt to record goes down in flames, we bring you this tale of mice and mods and Miyamoto, of nerds, their noises and Neo Tokyo, of DOTA clones and questions asked, of adventures past and pods cast. Enjoy.

Games Discussed: NeoTokyo, Epic Mickey, Fat Princess, Halo Wars, Command & Conquer 4, Dark Void, Heroes of Newerth, League of Legends, Pikmin 2, Full Throttle, King's Quest VI

Join us as we take a safely-secured look at Wii Sports Resort, and spoil exclusive food news. A connection to the Internet is required to listen to this episode.

Games Discussed: Wii Sports Resort, Dawn of Discovery/Anno 1404, Command & Conquer 4, Alan Wake, League of Legends, StarCraft, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, Castles, Castles II, The Game Conference Game, Rock Band Network, Guitar Hero Fruit Roll Strawberry Whammy

Thumbs accidentally traveled back in time to an age when beards reigned, in this arcade- and strategy-flavored episode.

Games Discussed: Dawn of Discovery/Anno 1404, Battlefield 1943, Klax, Amusing Educational Telequiz, Major Havoc, Tank 8, Stronghold Crusader Extreme, Castles, Castles II, The Three Stooges in Brides is Brides, Slappers! 64, King's Bounty: The Legend, Mega Man 9, Far Cry Instincts: Paradise Lost, The Act, Street Fighter IV

Lengthy discussions abound in this cast-and-a-half. We go off on the experiences unique to shorter, tighter games, the dying art of an equal player vs CPU ruleset, the American Civil War, and what it really feels like being the king. Plus: More video game dreams.

Games Discussed: Trine, King's Bounty, Call of Juarez, Trine, GUN, Civilization IV, Trine, Civilization Revolution, Far Cry 2

Ingredients: Co-op grappling-based wizard platforming, never-ending falling blocks, Peter Molyneux, Pyramid Head. Season to taste or until awakened screaming.

All but two of these are real: Trine, Lumines, Dragon Age, Doom Resurrection, 1 vs. 100, Dungeon Keeper II, Milo: Dungeon Keeper III, Super Casts 'n' Blasts, Zool, AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! -- A Reckless Disregard for Gravity, The Black Onyx, King's Bounty: The Legend

Special Report! Nick's back from Blizzard's preview event, ready to offer up his hands-on impressions of the StarCraft II multiplayer beta. Also, lots of side topics and diversions you can't do without. But mostly StarCraft II. And a gay pride parade.

Games Discussed: StarCraft II, Unreal Tournament, Quake III Arena, Chapter Honour, Urban Terror, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

You can't shut your eyes. A small child spots you, waves eagerly. You try to reach him, but are stopped short as the cables restraining your fingers go taut. Struggling against wires and straps binding your shoulders and feet, you get one last glimpse of the boy before he's dragged screaming into Max Payne's departing van.

Games Discussed: Overlord II, Max Payne 3, King's Bounty: TL, Blueberry Garden, Dawn of War II, StarCraft II, Pikmin 2

Where we come from the games beat themseles. There's a shaved Muppet around every corner, and Samus Aran can't shut up. It will please you, with a depth that might surprise you. Featuring Steve Gaynor as Mr. Dream.

Games Discussed: Cryostasis, Metroid: Other M, Shadowgrounds, Penumbra: Overture, Blueberry Garden, Dead Space: Extraction, Peggle (iPhone), Doom 3, Nintendo Help

We're back from E3, filled with hands-on impressions, tales of awkward industry encounters, and an important question: Who needs a motion wand when you have a ten year old boy trapped in your TV?

Games Discussed: Project Natal, Unnamed Sony PS3 Wand, Milo, 'Splosion Man, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Left 4 Dead 2, APB: All Points Bulletin, God of War III, Heavy Rain, Brink, Scribblenauts, the Beatles Rock Band, Mafia 2

Sometimes the past is just as good as you remember it. Sometimes it's better. Nick turns back the clock ten years to explore the less traveled branching paths of adventure gaming, Jake is revamped and thrown back by Nintendo's latest offerings, and Chris? Chris dares to dream.

Games Discussed: The Last Express, Blade Runner, PiCTOBiTS, Punch-Out!!, Team Fortress 2, Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony, Nintendo DSi Sound

After taking a week off in silent honor of the Duke, we return. Lawsuits fly and franchises fall as they try to get you to ride around on a fake skateboard. E3's coming back. I probably have Swine Flu. Don't worry, other people get it.

Games Discussed: Team Fortress 2, Duke Nukem Forever, Plants Vs. Zombies, Defense Grid, Killing Floor, Blade Runner, The Last Express, Outcast, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time

This week you, the readers, take control, as we spend the entire episode with our grubby mitts elbow deep in the Idle Thumbs mailbag. With special guests Steve Gaynor of 2K Marin, and each and every one of you readers listening along at home.

Games Discussed: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, Zeno Clash, Dante's Inferno, Mario 64, American McGee's Alice, Idle Thumbs: The Game

We return from break full of questions. Why are all the best games about America made in Europe? Does your game dialog sound more like Steven Seagal or John McClane? Is there going to be a twist? We don't know, but we really want to tell you why the Moon is awesome.

Games Discussed: BioShock 2, Mafia 2, WET, Rogue Warrior, 6 Days in Fallujah, Nintendo DSi, StarCraft: Ghost, BioShock 5: To The Moon

With the fight against Robo-Manus safely on hold, our co-hosts are free to discuss the love/hate battle with ruthless games, the slow decline of the mod community, and the science gone mad of achievements paired with grinding, all with a funky back beat you can dance to.

Games Discussed:

Like good games on the DS, we are back. With GDC a fond and distant memory, we tackle the surprising stack of good new titles for Nintendo's handheld, learn some new moves from a hobo, see the latest from BioWare and Double Fine, and shed a tear as Wander goes Hollywood.

Games Discussed: Rhythm Heaven, Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure, Brütal Legend, Dragon Age, Bully, Tap Tap Revenge, Shadow of the Colossus

The final Conf Grenade pops and fizzles its way into your ear, offering our closing thoughts on the Game Developers Conference. Join us for some last words before the GDC book slams closed for another 51 weeks.

Games Discussed: OnLive, Games for Windows Live, Alex Hutchinson Live, Army of Two: The 40th Day, Left 4 Dead, World of Warcraft, Jeff Kaplan, xc9(**##c_3

Steve Gaynor and Duncan Fyfe join us for the penultimate Conf Grenade, blasting through GDC's midsection at a rate so fast, you might not survive the trip. Put on your game designer hat and buckle up.

Games Discussed: Zeno Clash, Far Cry 2, Punch Out!!, The Maw, the Game Design Challenge, Peter Molyneux, Dr. Robotnik, Steve Meretzky, Margaret Robertson, Clint Hocking, Talking, Stalking

Partake in a virtual luncheon with a pantheon of gaming greats. Witness the changing of Will Wright's mind. Scream as you are wholly seared into the fourth dimension of experimental gaming. We're joined by guests Alex Ashby, Lawrence Bishop, and B. M. Bronstring.

Games Discussed: Experimental Gameplay Sessions, Hideo Kojima, Dave Perry's Lunchstravaganza, Keita Takahashi

GDC is warming up, and so are we. Idle Thumbs alums Marek Bronstring, Duncan Fyfe, and Lawrence Bishop join in for an look at GDC's first days of Indie-focused content, our anticipated panels, fabricated sex scandals and more. We love GDC this much.

Games Discussed: Jason Rohrer, WiiWare, OnLive, Neil Young, Peter Molyneux, Carmack's Reverse Revenge

You lie on the ground, the last breaths leaving your body as you look up into the glowing, burlap sack-wrapped eyeholes of the man who ended your life. As voices recede and the world drifts away, you realize your dying thought will be

Games Discussed: Merchants of Brooklyn, Resident Evil 5, Team Fortress 2, Diablo III, Puffins: Island Adventure

Sometimes a game blows up in your face, 106 moves in. Sometimes a tutorial man tells you the controls backwards, just because. Sometimes, no matter what you try, the old man just can't kill that snake. When the world's got you feeling down, do what we do, and put on the top ghost.

Games Discussed: Empire: Total War, Tom Clancy's HAWX, Up, Mirror's Edge Pure Time Trials, Team Fortress 2, Super Mario World, Half-Life Episodes

Virtual worlds fall around you. Objectives appear before your eyes, cluttering your vision. Everything falls silent. As tears stream down your space visor you realize, too late, that it has you. Welcome to The Hypersonic Effect.

Games Discussed: League of Legends: Clash of Fates, Empire: Total War, The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity, Tabula Rasa, Mass Effect, TIE Fighter, FreeSpace 2, Independence War

Has your desire to explore and investigate given way to a guided experience that just wants to hold your hand? Find out at the next waypoint. Join us as we offer up impressions from the DICE Summit, discuss this week's surprise assault of great games, and eat our own butt.

Games Discussed: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, Noby Noby Boy, Empire: Total War, Tom Clancy's HAWX, Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and The Damned

Special guest Steve Gaynor joins us as we sail over grassy dewswept mountains resplendent with gaming's bounty, then crash-land into an F-bomb laden cutscene. Plus: Watch your cursor drift towards the

Games Discussed: Flower, House of the Dead: Overkill, Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, Burnout Paradise

Following modern trends, this episode eschews its core gameplay for a series of scattered but crowd-pleasing showpieces. Hop in a Big Stompin' Mech with F.E.A.R. 2, use a mandatory turret to defend your favorite FPS titles, and perform an overly-animated finishing move on

Games Discussed: F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, Wanted: Weapons of Fate, Watchmen: The End is Nigh, Quake Live, Left 4 Dead, Killzone 2

Special Report! Duck for cover, commandeer a Jeep, and man a turret: Resident Evil is back, and Idle Thumbs is blasting through the gates of a midnight embargo. With Joe Pesci. Sometimes something comes up mid-week that we want to talk about. This time we actually did. We may do more of these in the future.

Games Discussed: Resident Evil 5

Grab a brew and waste the Space Fuhrer with your friends from the quad. Chris weighs in on Killzone 2, Nick weighs the good and bad of two upcoming strategy titles, and Jake weighs the importance of a polished first play experience... with your mom. How many times have you heard a dictionary say

Games Discussed: Killzone 2, Halo Wars, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, World of Goo, Left 4 Dead

Confidential informants collide and megatons are dropped in this week's high-speed episode. We talk about gaming narrative as a pastiche of tone and suggestion, but you just want your damn cutscenes. Plus: Wired's Chris Kohler joins us to dismember your naked form with a samurai sword. Replayability: 3.7.

Games Discussed: Afro Samurai, Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard, Assassin's Creed, Mirror's Edge, Full Throttle

Kaz Hirai says you'll truly appreciate the complexity of this podcast in about nine and a half years. What's that? Gonna cry? Nick Breckon says you're a baby who likes baby games. And a cheat, too, I bet.

Games Discussed: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II (Beta), StarCraft II, Mirror's Edge, Bit.Trip Beat, Crysis: Warhead, Assassin's Creed

BioShock 2 lead level designer JP LeBreton joins us for this accidentally retro-filled episode to recount the rich tapestry of game music, talk up the LucasArts classics, and dream of a world where Grand Theft Auto was reimagined as a 1930's Warner Bros. cartoon.

Games Discussed: BioShock, Monkey Island 2, Gravity Hook, Assassin's Creed, Tomb Raider: Underworld

The UK team discusses MMOs and everything that is horrible and awesome about them. Some non-MMO games are also discussed, eventually. Finally, they pitch some rather unusual game ideas to two friends from the game industry.

Games Discussed: WoW: Wrath of the Lich King, EVE Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Ragnarok Online, Planetside, and every other MMO ever. Also: Metal Gear Solid 4, Pokemon Diamond Edition and My Whores & Me.

We loudly ring in Year of the Video Game with a double episode of post-holiday potluck warmth. Like a worried mom, we lecture about driving under the influence of video games. Like a drunk uncle, we can't shut up about

Games Discussed: Prince of Persia (2008), Tomb Raider Underworld, Tomb Raider, Prince of Persia (1989), Nobi Nobi Boy, Osmos, Brainpipe, Spelunky, Bus Driver

Concluding our trio of podcasts recorded two weeks ago due to holiday issues, the crew remains joined by 2K Marin's Steve Gaynor to discuss psychopathic murderer Gordon Freeman, John Madden getting a government bailout, classic network sitcom Coach, and the love affair between the Japanese people and Wizardry.

Games Discussed: Half-Life 2, The Dark Spire, Bangai-O Spirits, DinoPark Tycoon, Burnout Paradise, Fallout 3, Far Cry 2

Last week, Thumbs invited 2K Marin's Steve Gaynor to help pre-record a low- key cast on nuclear plant sims, traffic sims, sewage construction sims, bus sims, boat sims, and ghosts. Riveting stuff.

Games Discussed: Persona 4, Minotaur China Shop, Hitman: Blood Money, The Last Express, Penumbra, SimCity iPhone, Retro/Grade, Cities XL, Sonic & the Black Knight, Three Mile Island, Energy Czar, Ship Simulator 2010: Extremes

As the CEOs of EA and Activision engage in an epic battle for the hearts and souls of gamers, our co-hosts consider Spike VGA-related game unveilings, fool significant others into buying consoles, look at some IGF 2009 entries, and propose Netflix achievement whoring.

Games Discussed: Prince of Persia, Mafia 2, Dante's Inferno, Spheroid, Atmosphir, Dyson, Retro/Grade, Defense Grid, Ghostbusters, Ghost Tycoon

Our co-hosts sedated themselves a bit this week in deference to special guest Chuck Jordan, Telltale designer and veteran of Grim Fandango and Curse of Monkey Island. Amidst discussions of Disneyland and ARG-based PR, we start to plan for Games of the Year and indulge in some pomposity about Game Narrative.

Games Discussed: Resident Evil 5, Treasure Troves, Army of Two, Dead Space, Mirror's Edge, Grand Theft Auto IV, Mr. Payback

Idle Thumbs U.S. returns from vacation fists a'swingin, battering you senseless with tales of lives reconsidered (and rewound), friends (lists) lost, and having to sit and watch someone else really suck (at your favorite game).

Games Discussed: Brothers in Arms (iPhone), Fieldrunners, Tony Hawk 10, Mortal Kombat vs. D.C. Universe, Braid, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Grand Theft Auto IV PC... Fallout 3

Idle Thumbs U.S. is taking the week off. In their stead, enjoy the debut episode of Idle Thumbs U.K. Marek Bronstring and James Spafford set up their mobile studio next to a hearth to discuss user creativity in Little Big Planet, exploration in open world games, achievement whoring, and more. Also listen to find out which game plays like browsing a wine rack in a supermarket.

Games Discussed: Little Big Planet, Far Cry 2, Fable 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, Leisure Suit Larry 7 scratch-and-sniff

Special guest Steve Gaynor of 2K Marin, last seen in Idle Thumbs 3: Field of Dreams, joins us once again as we drop hot scoops about the Ensemble Studios closing, wrap up discussion of Steve's favorite game ever Fallout 3, and debate bizarre Left 4 Dead tactics. Plus: our giveaway contest is announced, and a new segment is possibly introduced.

Games Discussed: Fallout 3, Left 4 Dead, Halo Wars, World of Goo, Illbleed

Idle Thumbs U.S. hands the mic over to the U.K. contingent for a live-on-the-floor special report from Eurogamer Expo. Join James Spafford, Marek Bronstring, Alex Ashby, Lawrence Bishop, Bob Watson and others for a trip around the show floor, hands-on insights, the sound of a Dutchman eating a large cookie, a man dropping pipes, and more.

Games Discussed: HAWX, Mirror's Edge, Plain Sight, Far Cry 2, Machinarium.

Your old Xbox is about to become your new Xbox, but that might mean you just start using your Netflix account again. Special guest Brad Shoemaker of Giant Bomb gently guides us through the minefield of this week's industry scandals, helps us finally close the book on Far Cry 2, and rekindles our love of J. Allard.

Games Discussed: Rock Band 2 ION Drum Rocker, Far Cry 2, Left 4 Dead, Space Giraffe, New Xbox Experience

This week, Nick was left for dead at Valve's offices where he played some kind of video game, Chris and Jake have experienced what's so amazing about LittleBigPlanet, and we keep attempting to cajole you into playing Far Cry 2. Plus: Will Gears of War 2 blow you away? We investigate. There may be a wizard.

Games Discussed: Left 4 Dead, Elemental: War of Magic, Gears of War 2, Far Cry 2, LittleBigPlanet, Empire Total War, Diablo III

We're a day early and possibly still a dollar short. Weeks of Fallout 3 coverage culminate with Nick's full completion-informed opinions. (Mutants allowed.) Chris and Jake dive into the polarizing world of Far Cry 2, and Fable 2's bizarre romances are set to heart-wrenching song. Join us, for this relatively subdued cast. To your face.

Games Discussed: Fallout 3, Far Cry 2, Dead Space, Empire: Total War (maybe)

Did you hear BioWare is working on a Star Wars MMO set in the KOTOR universe? Oh, you did? Nick and Chris talk about their day at the Old Republic reveal event, Thumbs alum and BioShock 2 designer Steve Gaynor of 2K Marin joins us as a special guest, Jake turns into an old man, and more. Listen in!

Games Discussed: Star Wars: The Old Republic, Fable II, Far Cry 2, BioShock 2, Yakuza 2, Diablo II, Oblivion

Tokyo Game Show and BlizzCon may be over, but they live on in our hearts, and our podcast. Stay awhile and listen for hands-on reports, commentary, and the heart-rending ballad of a once-proud console warrior. This episode probably not sponsored by Gamer Grub.

Games Discussed: Diablo III, Starcraft II, LittleBigPlanet, Fable II, World of Goo, Hinterlands, Scene It? Box Office Smash, Gears of War 2

Throw away your bifocals and burn your books. Why rely on reading comprehension when you can sit on your ass and listen to us talk? Idle Thumbs is back, now with 100% fewer articles, and we've been hitting the preview events just for you.

Games Discussed: Fallout 3, Mega-Man 9, Gears of War 2, Wario Land: Shake It!