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PlayStation announced the end of physical discs by 2028 nearly a week ago which implies the end of owning games you buy on its consoles. The response from the community has been vociferous to say the least. Naturally we had to dissect what this means for the industry and more importantly, you.
Along with this explore how the company manipulated sales data to make it seem like physical sales are in decline, how it has been manipulating communities and potentially the media from masking this, and how its own end-user agreements are fraught with concerns such as treating customers like criminals because it can’t get its own payment gateways running correctly (shout to friend of the podcast Vinayak Soni for tipping us off).
We also dig deep into how ready PlayStation really is for such a move, using the Indian market as an indicator. Between PS5 stock remaining scarce, distributors artificially capping the amount of PlayStation wallet top-ups and gift cards sold in a week, and exceedingly high prices, the console giant has its work cut out for it.
Finally, we round off the podcast with a couple of games worth wish listing — I’m Your Host and Dungeon Bodega Simulator.
Time stamps as follows.
PlayStation’s Shift to Digital (2028 Cutoff)
* (00:00:03): Introduction to the podcast and the main topic: PlayStation’s perceived “disdain” for physical media.
* (00:01:17): The primary news update: PlayStation is ending support for printing physical discs starting January 2028.
* (00:01:29): Clarification that this policy applies to third-party publishers, not just Sony’s first-party titles.
* (00:02:13): Sony’s clarification that games released before January 2028 can still have additional disc print runs.
* (00:02:54): Discussion on “code in a box” releases where retailers may sell physical cases without actual discs.
* (00:03:17): The loss of consumer benefits, such as the ability to install and play games offline directly from a disc.
* (00:03:45): Why PlayStation’s digital shift is different from the PC market, citing the lack of competition compared to storefronts like Steam, Epic, and GOG.
Market Data and Industry Backlash
* (00:05:10): Analysis of Sony’s claim that only 15% of their audience buys physical discs.
* (00:06:02): Counter-evidence from the Insomniac leak, showing much higher physical sales for major titles like God of War Ragnarok (76%) and Spider-Man (54%).
* (00:07:25): Reports of the PlayStation subreddit removing mentions of the Insomniac data and “games journalists” avoiding the topic for fear of losing access.
* (00:08:24): Anonymous feedback from publishers and business partners who were surprised by the announcement.
* (00:09:14): Impact on the Indian market, specifically the conflict between this news and Sony’s mandate to open 100 exclusive retail stores in India by 2028.
Future Hardware and Digital Ownership
* (00:13:02): How Sony and Microsoft have “trained” audiences to prefer digital through cheaper discless consoles and subscription services like Game Pass.
* (00:14:25): Concerns regarding limited internal storage on consoles and how physical discs provided more user control over installations.
* (00:16:09): Speculation that the PS6 will be a digital-only console targeting a 2028 launch.
* (00:19:15): Recent examples of “purchased” digital content being removed, specifically 500 TV shows/movies from Sony Pictures Core.
* (00:20:06): News regarding the shutdown of PSN for PS3 and Vita.
* (00:22:03): The role of physical boxes as a “marketing investment” and how their removal affects discoverability.
Regional Issues and Final Advice
* (00:30:41): Mention that Sony owns DADC, the division that prints the proprietary discs, meaning publishers cannot easily circumvent Sony’s decision.
* (00:35:18): Discussion of the PlayStation Terms of Service (TOS) for India, including a clause that allows Sony to cancel accounts that are inactive for three years.
* (00:36:00): Mention of Clause 17, where accounts can be suspended if a bank reverses a payment, requiring a gift card to release the account.
* (00:37:08): Reports of arbitrary caps on the amount of PlayStation Store credit retailers in India are allowed to sell per week.
* (00:40:43): Final recommendation for consumers to build a PC to ensure more user choice and better long-term savings.
Gaming Updates and Recommendations
* (00:41:43): “What are you playing?” section featuring Lego Batman, Starfox, and Absolum.
* (00:46:24): “What to wishlist” section: Dungeon Bodega Simulator and I’m Your Host.
Welcome to Day Zero. This podcast breaks down the bits and bytes behind the decisions that shape the world’s greatest entertainment medium — video games.
Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @rishialwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
By now the discourse surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is roiling to say the least. From Rockstar demanding pre-orders without showing much in way of gameplay to a suspiciously pro-corporate slant from consumers justifying the company’s many failings (including crunch and potentially killing an entire retail industry) it’s been a wild week. However is there more to it than just wanton outrage? Yes there is.
For all of the internet’s echo chamber-fuelled glory, there’s a very real chance that GTA 6 may not be the messiah the industry hopes it to be. Simply because rising prices thanks to Sam Altman, Microsoft, Hynix, Samsung, Micron, and general stupidity from the AI sector have knee-capped hardware prices yet again, with potential price hikes for new consoles on the horizon. For a game expected to move PS5s and Xbox Series consoles, it could not have launched in a worse season.
Time stamps as follows.
GTA 6 Pre-Order Details
* 00:00:03: Introduction
* 00:00:21: Confirmation of the GTA 6 release date as November 19th.
* 00:00:31: Rockstar begins digital pre-orders and reveals edition details.
* 00:00:41: Standard Edition ($80) and Ultimate Edition ($100) pricing revealed.
* 00:00:51: Standard Edition includes one month of GTA Plus and a Vice City pre-order bonus.
* 00:01:05: Ultimate Edition details: Includes extra outfits, areas, and vehicles.
* 00:01:17: Digital-only announcement: The physical version will only contain a game code in the box, not a disc.
* 00:01:40: Discussion on the lack of a new gameplay video vs. existing in-engine trailers and screenshots.
GTA 6 Market Performance and Community Reaction
* 00:02:10: GTA 6 reaches number one on the PlayStation Store pre-order charts.
* 00:02:24: IGN reports an 8:1 pre-order ratio of PlayStation to Xbox based on affiliate links.
* 00:02:37: Comparison of PlayStation vs. Xbox market share in India.
* 00:03:22: Discussion of rumors regarding a potential disc version arriving one month after launch.
* 00:03:54: Precedent for delayed physical releases, citing Red Dead Redemption on current-gen consoles.
* 00:04:09: Historical context of Rockstar’s pricing adjustments in India.
* 00:04:36: Critique of reporting from IGN and Hollywood Reporter regarding disc release rumors.
Rockstar Games’ Industry Impact and Ethics
* 00:05:04: Rockstar’s historical opposition to the used game market.
* 00:05:34: Story of Rockstar shutting down a pre-owned game trade-in initiative in India.
* 00:06:36: Discussion on consumer ownership legislation and the “Stop Killing Games” initiative in the EU.
* 00:07:44: Retailer frustration over the lack of a physical disc.
* 00:08:21: Speculation that the game is barely meeting its release date and may lack polish at launch.
* 00:09:50: Prediction that a physical copy may appear a few months later once the game is fully complete.
* 00:11:45: Discussion on “manufactured consent” and social media discourse regarding pricing.
Console Hardware and Pricing Concerns
* 00:12:44: Impact of GTA 6 on console hardware sales and marketing deals.
* 00:13:17: Rising component and memory prices affecting console hardware costs.
* 00:13:53: PS5 R&D costs and the lack of price drops compared to previous generations.
* 00:14:58: Critique of Ultimate Edition “gated” content, such as specific locations and missions.
* 00:16:18: India-specific pricing: Standard Edition at ₹5,999 and Ultimate Edition at ₹7,499.
* 00:17:04: The cultural loss of midnight launches due to the shift to digital.
* 00:18:44: Estimated revenue loss from physical sales in emerging markets ($150M–$200M).
* 00:20:19: Comparison of hardware costs to monthly salaries in India.
* 00:21:43: The importance of content creators to GTA’s longevity.
* 00:23:36: The barrier for mobile gamers (BGMI, Free Fire) moving to console hardware.
* 00:24:29: Financial advice: Do not use EMI or “Buy Now Pay Later” for games/hardware.
What After GTA 6?
* 00:25:53: Discussion on the rising costs of game development in the US.
* 00:27:03: Rockstar’s use of Indian developers (1,000+ devs).
* 00:27:46: Speculation on a separate marketing beat for GTA Online and a future PC launch.
* 00:29:38: Next-gen console (PS6/Next Xbox) R&D and the risk of delaying launches.
* 00:30:23: Critique of the Steam Machine’s performance and marketing material changes.
* 00:31:23: Rockstar makes the GTA 5 Next-Gen upgrade free for those pre-ordering GTA 6.
* 00:35:54: Critique of the “Live Service” model using Concord and Destiny as examples.
* 00:38:41: Consumer advice: Buying hardware at MRP and the long-term savings of physical media.
What We’re Playing
* 00:40:41: Rahul talks about Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.
* 00:41:43: Details on Lego Batman’s story amalgamation and Arkham-style gameplay.
* 00:43:51: Performance of Lego Batman on PC (RTX 5070) versus Steam Deck.
* 00:46:27: Rishi talks about his time with Alan Wake 2 and experimenting with Amiibos in Breath of the Wild.
What to Wishlist and Outro
* 00:47:48: Recommendation for Joy Malignant (dice-based RPG).
* 00:48:26: Recommendation for Odd Town (mini-imm sim).
* 00:49:09: Podcast wrap-up.
Every week we break down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry on the Day Zero Podcast.
Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @rishialwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
Saknas det avsnitt?
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While Summer Game Fest brought with it a stellar line up of games reminiscent of the best days of E3, Valve dropped what’s likely the most consequential update for game developers in recent memory. After being in beta for a few months, the Company that Can’t Count to Three revealed a Steam store refresh that changes how industry conducts business on the biggest storefront for PC games.
For this special episode of Day Zero, we have Lokesh Joshi, marketing lead at Tathvamasi Studios, the developers behind Suri: The Seventh Note, an upcoming PlayStation India Hero Project game for PS5 and PC. Disclosure: Day Zero podcast host Rishi Alwani has consulted with the studio in the past.
From the personal calendar coming in clutch closer to release date for some publishers (such as Loopr Partners who were generous enough to let us talk about Zombutcher as a current case study) to harnessing wishlist velocity and timing the right release date, we got you covered. Time stamps as follows.
Introduction and Guest Welcome
* 00:00:03: Host Rishi Alwani introduces the episode and guests: Rahul and Lokesh Joshi (marketing lead of Tathvamasi Studios).
* 00:00:52: Introduction to the main topic: Big changes and updates to Steam.
The Steam Client Refresh (June 5th Update)
* 00:01:32: Overview of the June 5th update, including UI changes and backend management for developers.
* 00:01:54: Details on the new homepage, featured section, and general usability improvements.
* 00:01:59: Introduction of the personal calendar feature for players to track release dates and wishlist games directly.
* 00:03:07: Changes to the “Popular Upcoming” algorithm, requiring higher wishlist counts to appear on the list.
Impact on Wishlists and Discovery
* 00:04:12: How the personal calendar affects niche genres by recommending games based on user taste.
* 00:04:30: Speculation on whether wishlists are still the primary metric for success.
* 00:05:21: Discussion on how the calendar might help developers acquire “meaningful wishlists” with higher conversion rates.
* 00:07:12: The concept of “Wishlist Velocity”—the importance of recent wishlists over older ones.
* 00:08:05: Setting context on the “previous meta” where wishlists were the sole driver of visibility and funding.
* 00:10:53: Identifying the bottleneck for developers: the requirement of a hard release date to appear on the personal calendar.
Platforms and Visibility Case Studies
* 00:14:25: Case study of the game Zombutcher and how the Steam update affected its launch visibility.
* 00:15:58: The role of Steam Next Fest as a source of free visibility for indie developers.
* 00:18:04: Comparison of developer support between Steam and PlayStation, highlighting Sony’s YouTube slots and blog posts.
* 00:23:24: Discussion on Steam’s algorithmic nature compared to PlayStation’s storefront.
Marketing Strategies for Indie Developers
* 00:24:18: The importance of community building and organic content.
* 00:24:32: Leveraging Instagram Reels for wide reach and using Reddit for organic feedback.
* 00:27:53: Utilising Twitter for the indie community, specifically “Screenshot Saturday”.
* 00:29:18: Advice on paid advertising: Don’t do it until you have a playable demo.
* 00:31:46: Examples of “gold standard” social media accounts, including No Man’s Sky and Among Us.
* 00:32:50: Using Steamworks data to track impressions, conversion rates, and “wishlist deletions”.
* 00:35:14: Tips for standing out during Next Fest, including working with content creators and using the Tagging Wizard.
* 00:40:40: A reminder that product quality and QA are more important than marketing efforts.
What We’re Playing This Week
* 00:41:08: Lokesh discusses playing Space Marine 2.
* 00:41:44: Rahul discusses the demo for 1666 Amsterdam and the backstory of creator Patrice Desilets and Ubisoft.
* 00:44:16: Rahul discusses Echoes of Aincrad (a Sword Art Online title).
* 00:46:15: Rahul discusses Valor Mortis, a first-person French “souls-like” set in the Napoleonic era.
* 00:49:16: Rishi discusses playing Dishonored 2 and his frustrations with the pacing of Alan Wake 2.
Closing and Recommendations
* 00:50:31: Final recommendations for games to wishlist: Suri: The Seventh Note, Zombutcher, and Arms Dealer.
* 00:51:25: Outro and where to find the hosts and guests on social media.
Welcome to Day Zero. This is a podcast about video games breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Linkedin - Lokesh Joshi
* Instagram - @Lokesh Joshi
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
At this point we might as well call this the Xbox Podcast rather than Day Zero what with the sheer number of times we’ve had to discuss the platform’s ups and downs on the podcast. After a successful Summer Game Fest showcase, it appears that Microsoft realises that a paltry three percent margin isn’t enough to run the Xbox business and cuts are afoot.
To the point where not only did Xbox CEO Asha Sharma surface the business margins publicly, but Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called out that Xbox makes more money from YouTube than games. Yikes.
In this episode we discuss what to expect from the House of Halo. As well as highlight one of the cooler indie games out of India, Malhaar. It’s a slice-of-life RPG that warrants a wishlist or 20.
Time stamps as follows.
Xbox Leadership and Initial Reset (February – May 2026)
* 00:01:04: Introduction to Asha Sharma’s timeline starting from her joining as Xbox CEO in February 2026.
* 00:01:18: Asha Sharma’s first internal memo prioritising human art over “AI slop”.
* 00:01:33: Leadership overhaul, including Matt Booty’s promotion to Chief Content Officer.
* 00:01:43: Strategic realignment with the hiring of Matt Ball as Chief Strategy Officer.
* 00:01:49: Shift in success metrics from Game Pass subscriber counts to Daily Active Users (DAU).
* 00:02:03: Rebrand of “Microsoft Gaming” to “XBOX” in all caps.
* 00:02:18: Internal discussions regarding the return of console exclusivity.
Major Announcements and Fiscal Transparency (June 2026)
* 00:02:34: Asha Sharma’s major Bloomberg interview discussing an internal reset and reaching players across all platforms.
* 00:02:48: Global price decrease for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
* 00:02:53: Leaks regarding the next-gen hardware codename, Project Helix.
* 00:03:05: Xbox Fan Fest highlights, including the translucent green Xbox and announcements for Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution.
* 00:04:04: Detailed breakdown of Asha Sharma’s memo regarding a three percent accountability margin and a half-billion-dollar revenue decline over five years.
* 00:05:20: Critique of the “toxic positivity” of previous management (Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond) compared to Sharma’s transparency.
* 00:06:11: Analysis of the unsustainability of the Game Pass model and the difficulties of keeping publishers happy in a subscription service.
Strategic Challenges and Future Revenue Models
* 00:09:40: Matt Ball’s comments to The Game Business regarding the challenges facing the company.
* 00:10:27: Discussion on the failed “This is an Xbox” campaign and the lack of a clear reason to buy a $500–$650 console.
* 00:12:10: Exploration of potential revenue streams, including ad-supported tiers similar to Netflix and Prime Video.
* 00:14:07: Identification of the target audience for these executive statements: investors and VCs rather than gamers.
* 00:16:10: The expansion of the Xbox Game Studio Store and physical merchandise (e.g. Halo: Campaign Evolved and Fable Collector’s Editions),.
Satya Nadella’s “Hard Fork” Interview and Structural Changes
* 00:18:27: Detailed look at Satya Nadella’s interview with the Hard Fork podcast.
* 00:19:02: Nadella’s “nuke”: Asserting that Xbox must become a sustainable business after 25 years of investment.
* 00:19:34: Nadella’s admission that Microsoft has been subsidising entertainment, noting that monetisation is happening more on YouTube than on Microsoft platforms,.
* 00:21:00: Rumours from The Information regarding spinning off the Halo franchise to external studios.
* 00:21:32: Criticism of Microsoft’s failure to capitalise on the success of the Fallout and Halo TV shows with timely game releases.
* 00:24:52: Concerns over the loss of institutional knowledge following the closures of studios like Arkane Austin.
Hardware Future and Developer Impact
* 00:25:46: Disclosure of A-B testing showing that pushing individual games sometimes performs better than pushing Game Pass.
* 00:27:42: Potential risks to the Developer Acceleration Program (XDAP) and funding for developers in regions like India and Southeast Asia,.
* 00:29:03: Discussion on rising component prices (up to 5x–7x).
* 00:29:56: Estimated timeline for Project Helix hardware (late 2027 or early 2028).
* 00:30:18: The possibility of Xbox moving to a reference design model, allowing third-party OEMs (like ASUS or HP) to build Xbox consoles.
* 00:32:02: Rumours of over 1,000 layoffs planned for July 2026, specifically targeting marketing and regional teams.
* 00:33:30: Mention of the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X20 announcement.
* 00:34:55: Final thoughts on Xbox entering its “Dreamcast era”.
* 00:35:21: Wishlist callout for Indian indie game, Malhaar and wrap-up.
Welcome to the Day Zero Podcast. Every week we break down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry.
Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @rishialwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
E3 is dead only in name. The Summer Game Fest has embodied the spirit of what used to be the convergence of the video games industry. And while everyone and their grandma’s cat has given a blow-by-blow account of what was, this episode of Day Zero takes a slightly different approach.
We discuss what we believe are the biggest announcements from the week that was the Summer Game Fest. From Sony’s State of Play to Xbox’s exercise in exclusivity and even a sterling third-party showing from the likes of Capcom, Square Enix, and Sega, there’s a lot to unpack. And despite rising hardware prices and dubious decision-making, there’s some gaming goodness yet to be had this year.
Bear in mind this was recorded before the Nintendo Direct or Microsoft’s ongoing public relations disaster that is its Xbox leadership. We’ll probably touch on those next week. Oh and if you were expecting us to opine on the India Game Showcase, we explain why we don’t in the first minute or so. Time stamps as follows:
Introduction and Overview
* (00:00:03): Welcome and introduction by hosts Rishi Alwani and Rahul Majumdar.
* (00:01:04): Analysis of Sony’s State of Play (or what the hosts argue should be called a “PlayStation Showcase”).
* (00:01:55): Discussion of major Sony first-party showings: Wolverine, Until Dawn 2, and God of War: Laufey.
* (00:02:40): Commentary on missing Sony announcements like Fairgames (potentially renamed Break In) and the focus on Marathon Season 2.
* (00:03:05): Analysis of the slump in exclusive sales and the unsustainable cost of game development.
* (00:04:31): Frustration over the high pricing of PS5 consoles in India, which have reached 80k–90k INR ($800–$900) at exclusive stores in 2026.
Xbox Strategy & Messaging
* (00:06:03): Transition to Xbox’s “exclusive pivots” and confusing messaging.
* (00:06:35): Comparison of exclusivity stances: Gears of War: E-Day remaining exclusive while Halo Campaign Evolved is announced for PS5.
* (00:10:12): A historical look at Xbox’s 25-year relationship with exclusivity, noting that major IPs like Halo and Fable have historically been ported to PC.
* (00:12:28): Discussion on the difficulty of buying Xbox hardware in India and the reliance on the used market.
* (00:13:10): Reaction to strategist Matthew Ball’s admission that Game Pass lost millions of subscribers after price hikes.
* (00:13:25): Critique of new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and the narrative surrounding her “first 100 days”.
* (00:15:24): Surprise announcement of Senua coming to PS5.
* (00:20:55): Announcement of 25th Anniversary Xbox Series X and controller in translucent green.
Summer Game Fest Highlights
* (00:22:52): Deep dive into Final Fantasy VII Revelation, including its use of Unreal Engine 4 and its simultaneous multi-platform release.
* (00:24:50): Note on Travis Willingham replacing Tyler Hoechlin as the voice of Sephiroth.
* (00:27:47): Technical discussion of Gears of War: E-Day, highlighting new movement mechanics (manual jump, prone cover) and ray-traced global illumination.
* (00:32:52): Highlight of the Thief Remaster from Night Dive Studios, expected at the end of 2026.
* (00:34:09): Discussion of God of War: Laufey, confirming it is a side-narrative taking place concurrently with the 2018 and Ragnarok titles.
Final Segment: What We’re Playing
* (00:42:43): Rahul’s impressions of Mouse: PI for Hire, noting its serious narrative balance and noir inspirations.
* (00:45:29): Rishi’s experience with the rhythm strategy game War Drum and a “high chaos” run of Dishonored 2.
* (00:46:40): Closing remarks and social media handles for Rahul Majumdar and Rishi Alwani.
Day Zero is a video games podcast from Rahul Majumdar and Rishi Alwani. We break down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry.
Comments? Opinions? Good takes or bad? Find us with yours at the handles below:
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
This episode of the Day Zero Podcast is out earlier than expected simply because we wanted to discuss all things PlayStation before the big PS5 State of Play later in the week. In this episode, we dissect ongoing security concerns that plague PlayStation users which can essentially have your entire digital library taken away from you.
Along with this we also talk about the ungodly pricing for PS5 hardware (which doesn’t need be given how much money the megacorp makes), the PlayStation retreat from PC which makes exclusives the norm at the cost of accessibility, and high PS Plus Subscription costs to name a few.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, we also highlight some of the good the company is doing through its India Hero Project programme, which is, in our opinion, the gold standard in how indie game devs should be treated. Time stamps as follows:
Introduction and Overview
* 00:00:03: An overview of the “State of PlayStation” discussion.
* 00:00:25: Summary of topics to be covered: PSN security, the state of exclusives, anti-consumer hardware pricing, and indie studio support.
PlayStation Network (PSN) Security
* 00:00:59: Discussion on reported PSN security vulnerabilities and account theft.
* 00:01:21: Detailed account of games media personality Colin Moriarty’s account hack, including how hackers spoofed official support numbers.
* 00:04:37: Insights into how easily hackers can gain access using rudimentary information, such as credit card receipts from restaurants.
* 00:05:52: Discussion on the high value of early PSN accounts and Sony’s lack of public acknowledgement regarding these security issues.
* 00:06:58: Recommended security measures for users, such as using 2FA authenticators and removing payment information from the store.
Future Hardware and Digital Strategy
* 00:13:29: Discussion on evidence of Sony’s next-gen plans, including two versions of the PS6 and a PS6 handheld.
* 00:13:51: Analysis of the shift toward a digital-only ecosystem and the push for PS Plus and cloud streaming.
* 00:15:32: Comparison with Nintendo’s handheld success and Valve’s Steam Deck.
PlayStation Exclusives and PC Strategy
* 00:17:52: News regarding major exclusives like Wolverine and Saros potentially no longer coming to PC.
* 00:18:35: Critique of Sony’s “territorial” move regarding accessibility and the mixed success of previous PC ports like The Last of Us Part 1.
* 00:26:52: Discussion of the ballooning budgets and labor costs of AAA development in North America.
Sony Studio Management and Live Services
* 00:28:12: Analysis of studio mismanagement, such as using Bluepoint for live service pitches and the cancellation of The Last of Us online project.
* 00:31:04: Critique of the “Jim Ryan era” focus on live services and the waste of specialized single-player talent.
* 00:31:31: Discussion of the Bungie acquisition, the end of support for Destiny 2, and the failure of Concord.
Hardware Pricing and Indie Support
* 00:36:43: Discussion on why PS5 hardware prices have remained high years after launch and the increase in PS Plus subscription costs.
* 00:39:57: Overview of Sony’s positive work with the India Hero Project and other regional indie initiatives.
* 00:41:14: Recognition of Shuhei Yoshida’s influence on the indie division and second-party deals for games like Kena: Bridge of Spirits.
Favorite Games of First Half 2026
* 00:44:05: Segment on the best games worth playing from the first half of 2026.
* 00:44:11: Rahul’s highlights: Resident Evil 9 Requiem, Nioh 3, and Pragmata.
* 00:47:37: Rishi’s highlights: Fishbowl, Dosa Divas, and War Drum.
* 00:49:14: Discussion of other notable titles: Esoteric Ebb, Romeo as a Dead Man, and Forza Horizon 6.
Conclusion
* 00:50:36: A look ahead to upcoming releases like Phantom Blade Zero and Gears of War: E-Day.
* 00:51:27: Final wrap-up and social media handles.
Welcome to the Day Zero podcast. We break down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @rishialwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
Welcome to a special episode of Day Zero. With us this time around is friend of the show and editor-in-chief of Story Mode, Karan Pradhan to discuss Ubisoft’s upcoming remake of historical murder ‘em up, Assassin’s Creed 4 Black Flag. Rechristened as Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, he’s played a close to final build of the game in the run up to its July 9 release date.
Be it Resynced’s faithfulness to the original (or lack thereof), comparisons to newer games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows or Ghost of Yotei, we got you covered.
In addition to this, we also talk about Tencent’s India ambitions following its big event with the Indian government. Then again calling Tencent’s efforts here as ambitious is charitable given that the megacorp has committed a paltry USD 1 million over three years versus the likes of Krafton, Garena, Xbox, and PlayStation spending a whole lot more with a lot less noise.
Along with this, the event had the Indian games industry’s lobbying for government funding into the sector (which is an exceptionally bad idea) which we touch upon as well.
Finally, we dissect PlayStation’s price hike for its PS Plus subscriptions for India
Welcome to the Show and What to Expect
* 00:00:03 – Welcome and host introductions (Rishi Alwani, Rahul Majumdar, and Karan Pradhan).
* 00:00:25 – Overview of the episode’s main topics: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, PlayStation Plus price hikes, and Tencent’s investment in India.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Preview
* 00:01:03 – Karan discusses his hands-on preview at Ubisoft Pune.
* 00:02:07 – Initial impressions: The game feels like a modern 2026 title rather than a simple remaster.
* 00:03:10 – Discussion on controls and parkour mechanics, including changes to the sprint and jump buttons.
* 00:05:11 – Confirmation that the modern-day sections are removed and replaced by the Animus Hub.
* 00:06:31 – Analysis of moment-to-moment gameplay, planning missions, and the “insta-fail” eavesdropping missions.
* 00:08:42 – Deep dive into combat mechanics, including parry windows, “ugly but effective” sword fighting, and comparisons to Ghost of Tsushima.
* 00:10:02 – Discussion on the nature of preview events and how being “overpowered” in a demo can skew early opinions.
* 00:13:08 – Technical details: Playing on high-end PCs, visual optimization, and the quality of water effects.
* 00:15:41 – Gear and Progression: A shift from stat-based DPS to rewarding player skill and flare, plus the introduction of trinkets similar to Far Cry 6.
* 00:18:23 – Tailing and Eavesdropping: How mission structures have been tweaked to be more fluid and less punishing than the original game.
PlayStation Plus Price Hikes in India
* 00:20:42 – Introduction to the subscription price increases in the Indian market.
* 00:21:12 – Pricing Breakdown:
* Essential: Increased from ₹4,000 to approximately ₹5,100 yearly.
* Extra: Jumped from ₹6,700 to ₹8,700 yearly.
* Deluxe: Increased from ₹7,600 to nearly ₹9,900 yearly.
* 00:23:49 – Impact on accessibility and the “sweet spot” of the middle-tier subscription.
* 00:25:12 – Discussion on cloud saves being “held hostage” and manual workarounds for backing up PS5 save files.
* 00:27:31 – Strategic concerns regarding a surge in interest for jailbreaking consoles due to rising costs.
* 00:28:31 – Comparison between PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass, focusing on library depth versus day-one releases.
Tencent’s ₹100 Million Investment in India
* 00:31:30 – Details of the MOU signed with the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) to develop India’s AVGC ecosystem.
* 00:33:59 – Critique of the investment amount (approx. $1.2 million), noting it is relatively small compared to other industry players like Krafton.
* 00:35:08 – Debate on whether the Indian government should provide grants for game development versus relying on venture capital.
* 00:39:06 – Analysis of Tencent’s institutional approach to engaging with the government to prevent “overnight bans”.
* 00:39:39 – “Hawkish” vs. “Dovish” views on Chinese corporate influence in creative outputs.
* 00:41:02 – Rumours regarding Valorant Mobile being published by Tencent in India instead of Riot Games.
What Have You Been Playing This Week?
* 00:42:22 – Rahul: Saros (review), Mouse PI for Hire, and anticipation for Lego Batman and 007 First Light.
* 00:43:30 – Karan: Zero Parades and initial impressions of Lego Batman.
* 00:46:22 – Rishi: Thick as Thieves and Forza Horizon 6.
Closing and Socials
* 00:50:11 – Final notes on physical game pricing for 007 First Light and consumer advice for day-one purchases.
* 00:50:50 – Where to find the hosts and their work (The Screen Zone, Story Mode)
Welcome to the Day Zero Podcast. Every week we break down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry.
Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @rishialwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
It’s been a hot minute since the last episode of Day Zero, which we’ve been told, broke certain parts of the internet due to our reporting on all things Nintendo in India. For those of you that tuned in, subscribed, and reached out — thank you for supporting independent media. And for those of you that shamelessly stole our work without crediting it us for clout — may you be blessed with the sound of nails on chalkboards between your ears for all eternity.
With that out of the way, this episode has us answering all your questions regarding Nintendo’s India entry. Along with this we also break down the company’s recent history of attempts to enter the country, its relationship with Indian developers, and discuss the surprisingly vibrant and vocal Nintendo India community. We also examine the subscription numbers for PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass in India too.
Furthermore, Subnautica 2 finds itself in the spotlight. Amidst a decline in the battle royale genre that Krafton itself pioneered and a CEO that’s more clanker than human — to the point of disregarding human legal advice in favour of ChatGPT leading to an embarrassing lawsuit with Subnautica 2’s developers — there’s joy to be had in the Korean megacorp’s comeuppance.
Finally we discuss Xbox’s critical and commercial masterpiece that is Forza Horizon 6 in addition to what we played this week, including Dead As Disco. Time stamps as follows:
Welcome to the Show, Here’s Why You Should Listen
* (00:00:03): Introduction to episode 25 of the DayZero Podcast with hosts Rishi Alwani and Rahul Majumdar.
* (00:00:13): Rishi’s career history, including his time as a games journalist at NDTV, IGN India, and his current work with games business newsletter and consulting.
* (00:01:43): Rahul’s career history, including running the site TechQuila, working at IGN India and GLHF, his experience in the Indian film industry, and his current site, The Screen Zone.
Nintendo’s Arrival in India
* (00:03:45): Initial discussion on Nintendo officially entering the Indian market.
* (00:04:32): History of Nintendo in India, specifically how consoles like the Wii and Switch have been available for years through the grey and parallel markets.
* (00:06:30): Piracy vs. Spending Power, addressing the audience that chooses to spend on entertainment and the convenience of digital subscriptions like Nintendo Switch Online.
* (00:07:34): The Indian Nintendo Community, highlighting the Super Smash Bros. scene and international representation.
* (00:08:03): Comparisons to Sony’s PS2 strategy, discussing why Nintendo might launch the Switch 1 late in India.
* (00:10:51): Logistics of the launch, including potential partnerships (Redington), the importance of the eShop, and after-sales service/warranties.
* (00:12:30): Nintendo’s relationship with Indian developers, mentioning their support for games like Raji and interactions at the India Game Show.
* (00:14:23): Manufacturing and BIS certification, discussing the possibility of local assembly and the hurdles of the Bureau of Indian Standards process.
* (00:15:25): Broader state of the Indian gaming market, covering the dominance of PlayStation, PC gaming trends (laptops with 3050/4050 cards), and the small Xbox user base.
* (00:17:09): Spending habits and the second-hand market, explaining the popularity of physical games due to resale value.
* (00:18:49): Nintendo’s transmedia push, discussing how movies like Super Mario Bros. and the upcoming Zelda film factor into their expansion.
* (00:20:26): Subscription numbers in India, estimating 100K-110K Game Pass subs and roughly 500K PlayStation Plus subscribers.
Subnautica 2 and Krafton Controversy
* (00:22:27): Overview of Subnautica 2’s successful early release and the drama involving studio Unknown Worlds and its parent company, Krafton.
* (00:22:57): Hostile takeover attempt, detailing how the Krafton CEO allegedly used ChatGPT to consult on business decisions and tried to “kneecap” the studio to avoid paying a $250 million bonus.
* (00:27:32): The state of the Battle Royale genre, noting its decline outside of mobile-heavy markets like India and China.
Forza Horizon 6
* (00:31:07): Impressions of Forza Horizon 6, including performance on gaming laptops and the Xbox handheld (ROG Xbox Ally X), plus a weird launch bug requiring an “Alt-Tab”.
* (00:31:34): Indian pricing concerns, comparing the high cost of Forza Horizon 6 (₹5,499) to Forza Horizon 5 (₹3,299) and the lack of a physical Xbox release.
* (00:32:59): The “Fable Engine” debate, debunking the idea that Forza’s high optimisation automatically means the upcoming Fable game will run well on mid-range hardware.
Games Played This Week
* (00:37:00): Game of Thrones: King’s Road, an action RPG from Netmarble currently unavailable in India on certain platforms.
* (00:38:13): Dead As Disco, with impressions of its “Arkham-style” combat and Suda 51-esque vibe.
* (00:40:17): Replaced, a brief mention of picking up the game.
Closing
* (00:40:23): Social media handles and sign-off.
Every week we break down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry in the Day Zero Podcast.
Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @rishialwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
Another week, another reason for GTA 6 to be in the news cycle. And like every generational pairing, be it peanut butter and chocolate, America and oil, or AI and circular funding, a Rockstar-developed game and crunch is one you can definitely count on.
In this episode of the Day Zero podcast we discuss rumours of Rockstar’s India team crunching to meet the GTA 6 release date along with taking an “insider” to task for confusing a company with a long history of mismanagement as an “Indian work culture issue”.
Along with this we talk about Nintendo’s imminent India arrival. Potential timelines, release dates, prices, and what to expect (spoiler: not the Nintendo Switch 2 it seems) are all laid bare complete with our thoughts on the company’s belated India return.
Also, we weigh in on the controversy surrounding Mixtape, the latest game from indie publishing powerhouse Annapurna Interactive. Like most things in life, this too seems exaggerated by a set of grifters.
Finally we round things off with what we’ve been playing this week, namely: Forza Horizon 6, Pragmata, Saros, and Mixtape. Time stamps as follows:
Introduction and Overview
* 00:00:11 – Overview of the episode’s main topics: GTA crunch, Nintendo’s India plans, and the Mixtape indie game controversy.
GTA 6, Rockstar India, and Industry Crunch
* 00:00:36 – Discussion begins regarding Glassdoor reviews of Rockstar Bengaluru alleging intense crunch (3am work hours).
* 00:01:00 – Reaction to claims by “insider” Kiwi Talkz that crunch is simply “normal day-to-day work in India”.
* 00:01:33 – Refutes the claim that extreme crunch is the standard across the Indian games industry.
* 00:02:16 – Contextualising Rockstar’s history of crunch, specifically during the development of Red Dead Redemption 2.
* 00:03:19 – Confirming that crunch is happening on GTA 6 and discussing how Rockstar has “exported” the problem to countries with less games journalism oversight.
GTA 6 Release and PS5 Bundles
* 00:04:37 – Discussion on the projected November release and a potential PS5 bundle.
* 00:05:10 – Updates on PS5 supply issues in India and expected price hikes for the disc and digital versions.
* 00:06:50 – Analyzing the “worst of both worlds” where US crunch culture meets Indian entertainment industry work habits.
* 00:07:57 – Personal anecdotes about crunch in gaming journalism and the impact of the lack of specialized talent in India.
Nintendo’s Official India Entry Plans
* 00:10:02 – Introduction of the rumor regarding Nintendo officially launching in India.
* 00:10:20 – Details on the planned launch: early next year at a price point of approximately 20,000 rupees.
* 00:10:33 – Clarification that this launch is for the Switch 1, likely the base model, not the Switch 2.
* 00:11:14 – Discussion on distribution, with Redington named as the likely partner.
* 00:12:12 – Targeted launch window of February or March and details on the Nintendo India team.
* 00:13:06 – Discussion on the “weird decision” to launch a 10-year-old console and how it compares to current grey market prices.
* 00:15:44 – The challenge of brand awareness in India and how consumers want to be treated as “first-class citizens” regarding global release dates.
* 00:17:38 – The hurdle of piracy and the potential “big win” for Nintendo’s IP like Pokemon and Zelda.
The Mixtape “Controversy” and Online Discourse
* 00:18:16 – Transition to discussing the indie game Mixtape.
* 00:18:50 – Contrasting the game’s critical acclaim (including 10/10 scores) with the “culture war” attacks it has faced online.
* 00:19:59 – Evidence of review bombing on Steam and the debate over “games as art” vs. traditional gameplay.
* 00:22:33 – Personal impressions of the game.
* 00:24:43 – Addressing the controversy surrounding Annapurna’s ownership and their connection to AI and surveillance.
* 00:27:52 – Analysing the backlash to the IGN 10/10 review and the general misunderstanding of how media outlets review games.
* 00:30:09 – Discussion on the harassment of journalists, such as Gene Park, following positive coverage of the game.
What We’re Playing This Week
* 00:31:04 – Rahul discusses finishing Pragmata, noting its short length and Resident Evil-style progression.
* 00:32:25 – Rahul shares his experience with Saros, comparing its difficulty and accessibility to Returnal.
* 00:34:41 – Rishi discusses playing Forza Horizon 6 on PC and checking out Mixtape and Saros.
Outro
* 00:35:22 – Social media handles and sign-off.
This is the Day Zero podcast. Every week we break down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @rishialwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
Another week, another episode. This time we’re focusing on Valve’s latest hardware drop: the new Steam Controller. It’s been a hot minute since the House Gaben built released its first-generation Steam Controller, only to be discontinued four years later. Fast-forward to now and the company’s second stab at it might be its most promising yet. We also discuss how you could get your hands on it if you aren’t living in a market Valve is selling the new Steam Controller in like India.
Along with this, we discuss PS5 exclusive Saros’ gameplay chops and the early commercial response to it thus far, May Madness — our term for the veritable deluge of gaming goodness hitting shelves digital and physical this month such as 007 First Light, Dead as Disco, Thick as Thieves, and Forza Horizon 6, and Xbox’s revenue from games making it to the PS5 courtesy Alinea Analytics.
Finally, we round off the episode with what we’ve been playing this week. Namely Crimson Desert, Pragmata, and Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred. Time stamps as follows:
Introduction and Overview
* (00:00:00): High-level overview of topics: Steam Controller, Saros, and the May Madness of game releases.
Valve’s New Steam Controller
* (00:00:31): Initial impressions and discussion of the $100 price tag.
* (00:01:21): Hardware features, including dual trackpads and new TMR analog sticks to reduce stick drift.
* (00:01:46): Discussion on software limitations, specifically that it only works natively through Steam without workarounds.
* (00:03:34): Challenges of buying Valve hardware to India, including grey market imports and lack of official distribution.
* (00:09:03): Speculation on future “Steam Machines” from third-party manufacturers like Asus and HP.
Saros Deep Dive
* (00:11:01): Introduction to Saros, the spiritual successor to Returnal by Housemarque.
* (00:11:53): Impressions of the Saros haptic feedback and sound design on the DualSense controller.
* (00:12:40): Comparison to other roguelikes like Hades regarding permanent progression and difficulty.
* (00:13:30): Breakdown of new gameplay mechanics: shields, movement speed, and the Eclipse risk/reward loop.
* (00:18:10): Analysis of the game’s sales performance and marketing in India,.
Every Video Game You Should Care About in May 2026
* (00:19:21): Overview of the major titles releasing in May.
* (00:20:22): Forza Horizon 6: Discussion on its Day 1 release on PS5.
* (00:20:44): Lego Batman: How it differs from the Arkham series with a populated open-world Gotham.
* (00:22:16): Thick as Thieves: Excitement for the new game from immersive sim veteran Warren Spector.
* (00:23:06): Dead as Disco: A viral rhythm-based brawler entering early access.
* (00:23:38): Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Discussion on the upcoming Switch port.
* (00:25:11): Other notable mentions: Zero Parades for Dead Spies, Paralives, and Romestead.
Xbox Game Sales on PS5
* (00:25:40): Breakdown of sales data from Alinea Analytics, highlighting that Forza Horizon 5 has sold 5.8 million units on PlayStation.
* (00:26:49): The total gross revenue for the 13 analyzed titles reaching $667 million.
What We’re Playing This Week
* (00:28:01): Rahul’s progress in Pragmata via GeForce Now.
* (00:28:20): Updates on Crimson Desert and its frequent patching.
* (00:29:55): Rishi’s thoughts on Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and its “MCU-style” story.
Closing and Giveaway
* (00:31:21): Housekeeping and announcement of the Marathon Controller winner.
* (00:31:41): Social media handles and sign-off.
This is Day Zero, a podcast is about video games breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @rishialwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
Xbox promises a return to form with a chatty new memo while PlayStation’s silence suggests a heel turn no one wanted or asked for. All while Pragmata and Saros have us feeling that video games, unlike the industry that makes them, are alright actually.
It’s been a loaded week in the games business and we’re here to break it all down. Unlike most of our usual episodes that focus on a single topic, there’s a lot to unpack this time around so we got timestamps for your perusal.
Xbox Strategy — or Lack Thereof
* 00:01:00 – The Xbox memo: We break down Asha Sharma’s leaked-and-then-revealed memo on the future of Xbox.
* 00:02:08 – The “Northstar” metric: Xbox identifies daily active players as their primary metric for success. Not the first time engagement became a cornerstone metric. Some of us are old enough to remember it first introduced in 2015.
* 00:03:08 – Hardware priorities: Xbox Series X|S plans ahead of a Project Helix launch.
* 00:04:37 – Game Pass price drops: Apparent efforts to lower the cost of Xbox Game Pass and why it’s a bizarre idea at this point.
* 00:06:09 – Global distribution critique: We berate the Xbox’s lack of hardware availability in India, Asia, and the Middle East amidst a memo that calls for more console hardware focus.
* 00:08:52 – Feature Deprecation: Criticism over the removal of Xbox social features like Clubs.
* 00:10:00 – Mobile storefront rumours: Discussion on potential plans for a mobile APK storefront.
* 00:10:53 – State of Halo: Analysis of the management and current status of the Halo franchise.
* 00:12:31 – Personal Xbox Series X experiences: Rishi explains why he has owned three different Xbox Series X consoles this generation.
* 00:14:50 – Next-Gen OEM partnerships: Rumours regarding third-party partners like ASUS manufacturing Helix-based hardware.
* 00:17:22 – Corporate culture: It’s wild how much heavy-lifting the memo does in terms of making Xbox cosplay as a startup rather than a subsidiary of a megacorp.
* 00:19:39 – Call of Duty profitability: We parse through the strategic decision to remove Call of Duty from Game Pass to protect retail sales.
PS5 DRM and What Could Happen Next
* 00:31:52 – PS5 DRM: Details on the 30-day login requirement for digital purchases on PS4 and PS5.
* 00:36:34 – The Crew 2 offline mode: Ubisoft’s response to the Stop Killing Games community initiative via the EU regarding live service games.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Everything We Know So Far
* 00:37:39 – Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Resynced: Official announcement and details of the remake.
* 00:40:54 – Assassin’s Creed roadmap: Discussion on Shadows, Hexe, and the rumored AC1 remake.
* 00:43:16 – Gameplay overhaul: Improvements to stealth, tailing missions, and ship customisation.
* 00:45:38 – Pricing & Indian retail: Details on the 4,999 INR price point and the legitimacy of the steelbook offer at Games The Shop.
Pragmata, Saros, and the End
* 00:47:37 – Pragmata: Rahul discusses playing Capcom’s Pragmata via GeForce Now.
* 00:50:15 – Saros: Rishi reviews Housemarque’s spiritual successor to Returnal, featuring actor Rahul Kohli.
* 00:52:48 – Saros mechanics: A look at the laser-focused gameplay and DualSense haptic feedback.
* 00:57:05 – Outro & Giveaway: Information on the Marathon controller giveaway and closing out the podcast.
Welcome to Day Zero. This podcast is about video games breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @rishialwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
After a solid press event a few months ago, Nvidia finally lifted the lid on its GeForce Now streaming service India release. Following a couple of weeks of media previews, players can check it out from April 16 onwards in early access.
In this episode of the Day Zero Podcast, we discuss our thoughts on GeForce Now after trying it out pre-release across a host of devices ranging from TVs to Steam Decks and a smartphone or two. We also discuss the state of the games business in India what with resurgent PS5 and Nintendo Switch (yes, Switch, not Switch 2) sales.
Furthermore, we also address the RTX 5090-sized elephant in the room — if renting high-speed, performant servers to stream video games is all GeForce Now is, and if you still have to buy your own games — who is it really for in a market that’s dominated by free-to-play mobile games and value-conscious spenders?
Finally, we discuss what we’ve been playing this week, including Pragmata, Dosa Divas, and to no one’s surprise, Starfield.
This is Day Zero. It is a podcast on video games breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Day Zero is hosted by Rahul Majumdar and Rishi Alwani.
We’d love to hear your objectively good takes — they surely can’t be worse than some of ours. Find us with yours at the handles below:
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
Episode 20 of the Day Zero podcast is out. As the title suggests, we break down what to expect from the ShinyHunters hack of GTA 6 developer Rockstar. Keep in mind that this was recorded on April 12, a day before the hackers leaked details early. That said we parse what you can expect in the aftermath of this reveal and ponder how a company with more money than god can’t get its cybersecurity in order (what with this being the second known major hack since 2022).
Along with this we also discuss friend of the podcast Kirk McKeand’s awesome interview with industry legend and Bethesda game deliverer of sick day notes Pete Hines, which pretty much confirms what we already know when mega-corps try to make sense of video games.
Apart from this, we get into the weeds of one of the more ridiculous pricing moves for a video game in India — 007 First Light courtesy of IO — and make the argument for not buying anything from the publisher given its focus on live services.
Finally, we also talk about what we’ve been playing this week, namely the excellent Dosa Divas and the not so excellent Starfield to name a few.
The Day Zero podcast breaks down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. It’s run by Rahul Majumdar and Rishi Alwani.
Comments? Criticisms? Industry tips? Leather jackets? You can find us at the following handles to discuss all of that and then some:
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
With the PS5 getting a much-maligned price hike this week, we discuss what to expect from PlayStation in terms of its impact on a potential PS5 Pro India launch and more importantly, how much more you could pay for a PS5 if you haven’t got one already.
Along with this, we also discuss the company’s legacy of making games for India from India (or in the case of Singstar Bollywood, London).
Before that though, we dig deep into Fishbowl. Developed by Goa-based imissmyfriends.studio, it’s a cosy slice-of-life game that has a surprising focus on details, a deceptively hypnotic gameplay loop, and an interesting story to boot.
However there’s more to it, as the first game of the PlayStation India Hero Project — Sony’s latest attempt at curating the best Indian game developers have to offer — it’ll likely set a standard by which others will be judged. Without spoiling much, Fishbowl sets the bar high enough.
Oh and, if you’re reading this the day it goes live and you want to win a limited edition Marathon DualSense controller, subscribe to us on Substack if you haven’t already. Winner to be announced on the next podcast.
Finally, we discuss what we’ve playing this week and to no one’s surprise it involves a lot of crimson — in terms of deserts and demon blood.
This is the Day Zero podcast. breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
AI slop and its proponents can’t stop clinging to an already hollowed-out games industry and this time it’s courtesy of Nvidia. By now the megacorp’s AI piss filter reveal or “DLSS 5”as its officially known has been universally panned to the point where our favourite leather clad CEO Jensen had to claim to hate AI slop after calling his audience wrong, all while the company has admitted that the level of control developers have isn’t as granular as it could be.
In this episode of Day Zero we discuss everything wrong with Nvidia’s DLSS 5 reveal. From the games chosen to how it was framed and even the amusingly hilarious attempts at astroturfing to boot. Suffice to say, we had opinions aplenty.
And for game developers, publishers, and industry execs listening, we also discuss if you should disclose if AI was used in making your game — or not. Spoiler alert: you should to understand why and how: we got you covered from 32:54 onwards.
Welcome to Day Zero. This is a podcast about video games breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
Halo and Destiny hitmaker Bungie released Marathon earlier this month. It’s the legendary studio’s first game following Sony splurging $3.6 billion to acquire it. While there’s a lot of things in this extraction shooter that make it compelling to play, there’s also a lot of friction that make it impenetrable for some. And while certain sections of the internet might croon that it’s Concord 2.0 (probably the same lot fetishising Nvidia’s DLSS 5), Marathon’s actually a pretty solid game. We explain why in the first half of the Day Zero Podcast. Oh, and if you want to win a limited edition Marathon DualSense controller, subscribe to us on Substack if you haven’t already. Winner to be announced in two weeks.
After that we talk about Microsoft’s new Xbox moves or lack thereof. At GDC 2026 Xbox revealed more details on Project Helix, the next iteration of its consoles. While a slew of technical information was made public, there was little in the way of innovation spoken and even less in terms of Xbox Game Pass, likely lending credence to the deprioritisation of a service some have referred to as ‘Welfare Pass’.
Furthermore, the way forward seems to indicate lip service in terms of video games preservation rather than an earnest attempt at it.
Finally we discuss Xbox’s duality in terms of keeping AI away from game development but still shoehorning it into Xbox Series X|S with Copilot coming in an update to the consoles.
This is Day Zero. It is a podcast about video games breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
After a recent Shark Tank India episode featuring a father and son duo making $221,000 in Roblox, we’ve been inundated with requests from our listeners — mainly those working in the video games industry — to break down what user generated content is for platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, and how that differs from (or complements) existing live service pipelines for such games. For what it’s worth, Roblox’s leadership is still cringe and can do better with its safety standards, our position on this has not changed and we’ve discussed this on a previous episode.
That said, to break down the nuance behind user generated content on Roblox and Fortnite, we got special guest Rishabh Sabarwal to break down everything you need to know. Currently a gaming editor at Beebom India, focussing on live service games, he’s previously consulted studios making games in Fortnite. He sheds light on how game developers are making the switch and what are the common pitfalls of doing so.
We also dive into how creators are earning millions by developing brain rot games that prioritise instant gratification and viral trends over complex design. This includes a deep dive into revenue which is primarily driven by engagement metrics and the sale of virtual items using in-game currencies like Robux.
Finally, we also discuss how these kind of games/experiences built on Fortnite and Roblox live or die on basis of their update cadence and mobile accessibility rather than traditional gameplay loops. Time stamps as follows:
Market Scenario
* 0:00 – Introduction to the UGC Ecosystem
* 1:30 – The Billion-Dollar Scale: we discuss how top UGC games on both platforms have already exceeded $1 billion in revenue, often outperforming traditional high-budget titles that are being shelved.
* 2:45 – Monetisation: revenue streams breakdown including those where creators can keep up to 100% of the in-game currency spent.
Case Studies: Brain Rot Performance Metrics
* 5:00 – High-Performance Experiences: we look at Steal a Brain Rot the top-performing game driving 6 million concurrent users (CCU) daily on Roblox.
* 7:30 – The Fortnite Inflection Point: how UGC experiences in Fortnite broke records with 6.5 million CCU, surpassing the player count of Fortnite’s own core Battle Royale mode.
* 8:45 – Platform Marketing Shifts: insight into Fortnite’s decision to rebrand its App Store presence to feature UGC characters, highlighting a creator who earned $50 million in five months.
User Psychology and Retention
* 10:15 – Demographics and the “iPad Kid” Economy: why 15-minute dopamine loops are more effective for younger audiences than 30-minute battle royale matches.
* 11:45 – Advanced Retention Tactics: discussion on “offline progression” (e.g., Grow a Garden) and live events, such as the Bruno Mars concert, used to drive exclusive cosmetic sales.
Where Studios Fail and India Insights
* 13:30 – Common Studio Failures: why traditional studios fail by over-investing in “perfect” game design documents rather than chasing viral TikTok trends and memes.
* 15:00 – The “Live Ops” Mandate: the requirement for daily updates to maintain UGC momentum, contrasting with the multi-week cycles typical of mobile or PC gaming.
* 16:30 – Regional Market Insights (India): analysis of the gap in the Indian market where local studios are failing to target the primary 7-year-old demographic already playing brain rot games.
What Next?
* 18:45 – Why Creators Don’t Go Solo: Roblox and Fortnite handle all server infrastructure, publishing, and marketing, making it risky for successful creators to build independent games.
* 20:00 – The Disney Play: early indicators of how Disney is licensing official IP to creators within Fortnite’s Unreal Editor (UEFN), signalling a new era of corporate-UGC collaboration.
Welcome to Day Zero. This is a podcast about video games breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
Capcom’s on a generational run with its survival horror series Resident Evil. The ninth mainline entry, Resident Evil Requiem is out now for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. In this episode of the Day Zero Podcast we discuss our thoughts on the game (spoiler-free) along with how it’s sold in the Indian market (spoiler: good) and how the likes of Games The Shop — the country’s biggest retailer as well as Nvidia, did their bit to hype up the game.
We also talk about how Resident Evil Requiem fits into the greater context of AAA game development and how games like this are few and far between due to what the industry at large optimises for (i.e. economics, not AI and lay-offs or so we hope). Mad props to David Goldfarb for the tweets that sparked this part of the conversation (and the title of this podcast) to begin with.
Furthermore, we talk about Marathon, Bungie’s first game since Sony’s acquisition of the Halo and Destiny maker. From font choices (bad) to its visual direction (good) every aspect of this extraction shooter is laid bare. Along with some choice for words for those pushing out “reviews” for a live service game that isn’t out in a wide enough fashion to warrant the exuberance (or gloom).
Day Zero is a podcast about video games breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry.
We’d love to hear your objectively bad takes. Let’s start a dialogue, preferably with enough branching paths favouring us.
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
Industry staple Phil Spencer is moving on from Xbox. Megacorp Microsoft announced the Xbox CEO’s departure late last week. Heir apparent Sarah Bond revealed she would be moving on too. In their place is Asha Sharma is the new CEO of Xbox. She was previously the head of coreAI at Microsoft.
In this episode of Day Zero, we discuss the ramifications of this move along with some community wisdom that’s probably done a better job of reading the room versus most (or even the official narrative).
One of the points of discussion is deprioritising PC Game Pass and potentially Xbox Game Pass in itself given. Despite a strong slate of games and a rumoured new Xbox hardware next year, we may actually see Xbox being sold for parts or gutted completely.
Before this, we discuss Sony’s scuppering of Bluepoint and how that it appears like an unwarranted move given that the company recently revealed its remaster plans for the God of War trilogy.
And speaking of God of War, we also break down what we liked — and did not like — about God of War Sons of Sparta that was shadow dropped during the excellent State of Play earlier in the month.
Day Zero is a podcast on video games featuring Rahul Majumdar and Rishi Alwani breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world's greatest entertainment industry.
We’d love to hear your objectively bad takes. Let’s start a dialogue, preferably with enough branching paths favouring us.
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com -
The PlayStation State of Play for February 2026 was perhaps the strongest showing from any console maker in recent times. From the likes of John Wick to Kena: Scars of Kosmora, there’s something for everyone. It harkened back to the time of the original PlayStation’s (and arguably PlayStation 2’s) peak — so many games to choose from for any kind of gamer.
In this episode of Day Zero, we discuss why this matters. With the state of the games business in flux courtesy of AI, a weak Xbox, and Nintendo yet to find its footing with the Switch 2, we talk about why the State of Play for February 2026 was a show of strength and how it could shape expectations for the year to come.
More so when you consider that GeForce Now’s launch event is done and dusted and we still don’t have an actual launch date, and Xbox appears to be content doing absolutely nothing of value.
Along with this we discuss some of PlayStation India’s marketing snafus, complete with select comments from Twitter on how the company could change it for the better. From marketing professionals to editors (and friends of the podcast) and even streamers, it appears that PlayStation’s vocal and loyal fan base has a lot to say. And some of it is even worth surfacing. In addition with how to save some money on PS5 games that fans of the podcast would be familiar with.
Finally, we tell you what we’ve been playing this week, including a certain mystery game that Rahul can’t tell you about (just yet) and Rishi’s adventures with the latest Suda51 title, Romeo Is a Dead Man.
Day Zero is a podcast that breaks down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. It’s run by Rahul Majumdar and Rishi Alwani.
Comments? Criticisms? Industry tips? Leather jackets? You can find us at the following handles to discuss all of that and then some:
* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani
* Threads - @rishi.alwani
* Instagram - @rishi.alwani
* Twitter/X - @darthrahul
* Threads - @darthrahul
* Instagram - @darthrahul
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com - Visa fler
