The Grinding Gear Podcast

Delighting the Audience with Marcomeatball | The Grinding Gear Podcast #80

Marco returns to talk more than just music! Well of course music is also discussed. But Garrett and Marco talk shop about creating content for streams and Youtube, Honkai: Star Rail, Warframe, Helldiver 2, Final Fantasy 7, and the most underrated game soundtracks of all time.

MM-NO! | The Grinding Gear Podcast #79

Dawntrail is on its way! A release date has been announced for the upcoming Final Fantasy darling MMO. Garrett and Kyle give you the scoop to grind through your week. But first, Larian parts ways with the Hasbro juggernaut Dungeons and Dragons, to much celebration. Dragon's Dogma 2 doesn't make the best first impression, but true fans are too busy playing. Will the League of Legends MMO ever release? All this and more.

Skill Issue | The Grinding Gear Podcast #78

Garrett returns from the Mountains of Wrestling. Kyle was here but survived his venture to buy Warhammer paints. Helldivers Devs lash back at players on Discord causing a comment drama. Garrett and Kyle discuss the huge influence Toriyama had on the anime medium as a whole and their exposure to Dragon Ball Z growing up. Are crossovers going too far?! Your emails and more.

Hot Chat, Cold Names | The Grinding Gear Podcast #77

Beau Schwartz returns to the Podcast. Now having long completed his Diablo 4 quest for statue fandom, we play a little game we like to call Hot TAKES with the help of the live chat. We also discuss Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (spoiler free), Helldivers, State of MMOs and streaming life.

Final FOMO | The Grinding Gear Podcast #76

Garrett and Kyle both return from a Florida Disney weekend, no relation, with a pile of hot Monday news. After a thorough park review lacking of expert opinion, Garrett feels a great pull towards the water cooler of FF7 Rebirth. Elden Ring DLC is about to plow every release in the summer out of its way. Larian’s good deeds lead to Kyle's paranoia. And why is there a Borderlands movie? All this and more.

Queueing for Hell | The Grinding Gear Podcast #75

The Ministry of Truth has declared, Helldivers 2 is good y'all. You may have heard about the newest internet darling. Garrett and Kyle share the sentiment even if it did rain on their parade. And rain it did all over the renaissance fair. X-Men 97 is coming back in its Fox Kids glory. All the consoles are dead?!

The Final Grill with Jesse Cox | The Grinding Gear Podcast #74

Jesse Cox returns for the final grilling before the end of Endwalker. The test is stacked, the questions are hard and our memories are shit. Better than most? Maybe. Are there dragons in the Crystal Tower? Who has cloud hair? What characters are missing? What happens in patch content given the meta knowledge of the launcher? Jesse leaves no stone unturned, while Garrett and Kyle loose the stones. 

Obviously with Taliesin | The Grinding Gear Podcast #73

We’re cross-aisle, breaking down barriers, and having a lovely time doing it. On this week’s episode, Taliesin, half of Taliesin and Evitel, joins the show to discuss content creation, Final Fantasy 14 story, and WoW’s pursuits of that story. Taliesin streamed FF14 at the height of the “exodus” and had quite the journey. There’s no stopping this storytime.

Hyper-Growth | The Grinding Gear Podcast #72

2024 is feeling a whole lot like 2023 with layoffs continuing in the games industry. We take some time to talk about how the continuing cascade of lost jobs have now reached Riot and Blizzard, the Pokemon Company looking at getting legal with Palword, a cancelled Final Fantasy XIV live-action television adaptation, and which one of us is the best vocalist.

Pal Woes | The Grinding Gear Podcast #71

On this Monday episode of Grinding Gear, the new time btw: Palworld has taken the steam by storm, but is plagiarism afoot? Is Ai the villain in this tale? Is it really hard not to call them Pokemon. We are the judge! Garrett and Kyle also tell the tales of their many watchings and playings over the holiday break. Garrett is smitten by Freiren. Kyle’s friends conspire to get him a Tyranid army ready to paint.

GG in the House! | The Grinding Gear Podcast #70

Kyle and Garrett are in the house! Together! Join us for our first post-move podcast from Garrett’s redesigned studio space. Hear all about what happened during our break as Kyle moved and Garrett moved things out and into his studio. Also, is Indiana Jones shaping up to be an exciting game? The Xbox Developer Showcase gave everyone their first peak into it.

The Grindys 2023 | The Grinding Gear Podcast #69

The Grindys, The Golden Gears, Best of 2023. This is the final official podcast record for the year 2023, and we have our own LEGALLY DISTINCT accolades to hand out. An absolute banger of a year for video games comes to a close. Who will win “Best I Think It’s an Indie game” and who will walk away with Brightest Dumpster Fire. While there may be some bonus shows on your feed, we will see you in 2024. Supportourbromance.com or Garrett will make Kyle watch live-action television next year.

Call of Jury Duty | The Grinding Gear Podcast #68

Technically the podcast never left but we're back! Kyle has returned from his Jury Duty exile. The internet has continued to do what it does and Garrett’s got all the goods lined up. Twitch has set new rules regarding what has become known as the “Topless Meta”. The Video Game Awards continue to make dramatic waves as views argue over format and speech timers. In a real shocker, Kojima wants to make a movie. The Day Before is a truly bright burning dumpster fire. And so much more. One c...

Wrap It Up | The Grinding Gear Podcast #67

What a week! The bromance content has been upended due to jury duty. But we’re not going to let that stop us from getting up very early (EXTREMELY early for Kyle) and having a chat about this year’s Game Awards! Later in the show we also get into how jury duty has impacted our end-of-year schedule and how we’ve surpassed every goal we’ve set thanks to the gearbox!

The Walton Dead | The Grinding Gear Podcast #66

The Holidays are incoming. Garrett and Kyle return from Thanksgiving festivities to bring you all the important happenings from the dinner table! Bungie is messing it up again, but we don’t have time for that. Fallout has a tv show incoming and it’s canonical. See the return of HOT TAKES as we collect your HOTTEST TAKES from the internet, we call it Unpopular Opinions, but we all know what they are.

A GG Thanksgiving | The Grinding Gear Podcast #65

It’s a Grinding Gear Thanksgiving! The podcast records early this week as we’ll both be out the rest of the week for the holiday! Join us as we give a Bromance Studio update, talk Scott Pilgrim, WoW Classic Hardcore, FFXIV Endwalker, and share our holiday traditions.

MMO Roundtable: BlizzCon 2023 | The Grinding Gear Podcast #64

We have gathered an ELITE team of current, former, and cautious World of Warcraft content creators for our post-BlizzCon round-table. Previous GG guests Preach, Okaymage and Jesse Cox all make a triumphant return to talk WoW’s announcement for an upcoming and ongoing 5 year story. Blizzard has planted a flag, a beginning, middle, and end. A total rework of their narrative process with evergreen content. The beacon is lit.

Oscar Isaac Ganondorf | The Grinding Gear Podcast #63

A packed week means a packed show. A Zelda Movie? Grand Theft Auto 6? Transparent MMO Design? What do all these things have in common? They all happened this week. Garrett is back in the World of Warcraft and for Retail no less with the Season of Discovery around the corner. If there is a fence, Kyle is behind it, maybe even still purchasing the wood. Remakes, remasters, 2024 incoming, and more.

Live Not from BlizzCon | The Grinding Gear Podcast #62

Immediately following the BlizzCon Opening ceremony live watch, Garrett and Kyle take a seat to talk about the hits, misfires and mysteries. It should be no secret that you won't be hearing much about the Overwatch news. Diablo was also limited. The biggest hitter was the Warcraft section which features a Co-op Hearthstone Battlegrounds Mode, and a three expansion plan for the games narrative going forward. The comparisons to Final Fantasy 14 are not lost on us. News will continue to de...

Ground Beef Cultist | The Grinding Gear Podcast #61

We may be cross-country again, but we are ever so close to our goals! This is the Grinding Gear Podcast. Travel meant movie time for Kyle and he was delighted by a certain reference in Mutant Mayhem. Garrett turns back the clock to talk about the ABK Acquisition. Speaking of that clock, Heroes of the Storm received a sizable PTR patch. Mostly bug fixes, but many will absolutely affect balance. Is Microsoft taking Heroes to Game Pass? Spiderman 2 and Lies of P are on the menu. The new FF...

No More Long Distance | The Grinding Gear Podcast #60

What a week! We have announced The Bromance Studio. The big drive is underway. Podcast will soon be recorded TOGETHER and oh so much more. In this episode you will learn all about the Studio plans, how long we’ve had to keep this secret and so much more. Kyle had trouble picking a publicly played plane game. Garrett has continued his Cyberpunk journey. You might learn something. You might learn more than you need to. Supportourbromance.com and we’ll build a studio. Now that’s a threat y...

The One with Okaymage | The Grinding Gear Podcast #59

Okaymage, WoW caster and FF14 streamer, joins the episode! Okaymage has been on quite the content creation trajectory and is here to tell her story. With no RPG experience, coming straight from League of Legend to World of Warcraft, and making Frost Mage guides, she has developed a massive following due to her MSQ streams. Join in for the takes, the licks and the minty fresh podcast.

Hot, Cold and Spooky with Kristen and Jon | The Grinding Gear Podcast #58

A guest filled episode of Halloween gaming and Hot Takes! Grinding Gears own moderator, Dirty 30’s Reviewer (more incoming) and CEO of the House Kristen Ashton joins the episode, along side the MSQurator Jon Jagger. After hearing the previous Unpopular Opinions game, both were eager to take the stage and face their own pile of HOT TAKES!

The One with Endy | The Grinding Gear Podcast #57

Endy_D20, FFXIV streamer, previous WoW player, forever Dungeon Master and surprise Heroes of the Storm fan, joins the podcast today! A much requested guest who just wrapped his playthrough of the MSQ, Endy is the perfect guest for a thoughtful week in the MMO sphere. Chris Metzen returns to the WoW team, sparking a whirlwind of conversation across the internet. MMOs have tight competition in such a packed year. Endy shares a delightful journey, including tips for starting your own streams.

Cyberpunk’s Not Dead | The Grinding Gear Podcast #56

The bountiful riches of video games and adjacent content as we GRIND through the end of your week. Cyberpunk 2.0 is out and they want you to start a new game. Onimusha is getting a Netflix adaptation, with mixed reactions. Lies of P has a special sauce, and we’ve got a review from the Fromsoft expert in these parts. Lastly, Final Fantasy 14 is putting out a Tabletop RPG, with an unknown system.

Unpopular Opinions | The Grinding Gear Podcast #55

Nintendo’s Direct, Ahsoka, Starfield and Baldurs Gate 3 all make an appearance on this episode, but we know you’re really here for the HOT TAKES! We enjoy a new segment, based on our recent stream, where we judge your HOTTEST TAKES from games to movies, to music. Naturally we address the Unity situation, but we are not lawyers so we will leave that ongoing conversation to the professionals.

Stare-field | The Grinding Gear Podcast #54

We field your questions and field the STARS! Starfield is out for the wide public and you won’t believe it, but Garrett is in love. In fact, Kyle is on the back foot for this adventure. From bugs, ship building, IMMERSION and gunplay, we give you the big Starfield review. Supportourbromance.com or we’ll keep the planets PNG images.  

Armored Casual | The Grinding Gear Podcast #53

Starfield is almost upon us and the embargo has been lifted. Will we make SPACE for this monumental game amongst the awesome releases of today? It is yet to be seen. Armored Core 6 has taken the hosts by storm and a meaty spoiler-free discussion ensues. D&D, Dark Forces, movies and more. Supportourbromance.com or we’ll make a trailer with our L1 sticks gently romanced.

Target Kiosk Tryhard | The Grinding Gear Podcast #52

A burden of riches is upon us! Baldurs Gate 3 keeps on giving, but there is even more greatness to be had. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk has smitten Kyle, and Garrett got the Gamescom coverage. Armored Core 6 is TOMORROW?! Mario is changing, Phil Spencer is confusing, and what a time it is. Emails and more! Supportourbromance.com or we’ll instant spawn cops behind a wall.

The One with Preach! | The Grinding Gear Podcast #51

Mike aka Preach joins the episode! The 10-year veteran of MMO content creation broke free of World of Warcraft-only coverage in 2021 and has found huge success for him and his team, and he's here to tell the tale. Preach has had an almost identical adventure Garrett, going from WoW content creation to Final Fantasy 14, but will they agree on the worst and best parts? Kyle is here to stoke the fires. Supportourbromance.com or we’ll look at the rats.

Type D Measuring Contest | The Grinding Gear Podcast #50

The Gates are open. Baldur the Third is here. Reviews are off the charges and we are in love. Garrett and Kyle currently quest through act one and give you the spoiler-free lowdown on the internet darling, Baldur’s Gate. A surge of interest in D&D has followed as many try their hand at 5th edition rule. We’ve also been watching things, like Futurama, Justified, or Kyle's first viewing of Labyrinth for the first time. Supportourbromancing.com or we’ll multiverse franchise your planular a...

A Guide to Friendship | The Grinding Gear Podcast #49

Jon Jagger rejoins the show to talk Fan Fest 2023, Wrestling, Baldur’s Gate, Friendship and more. Garrett and Kyle fresh from their travel gauntlet share short-form stories of their adventures (see the Tuesday stream for the long form) and get the scoop for their eye in the sky, Jon who last minute could not attend. Batteries may be drained, music may be battle, but FRIENDSHIP REIGNS SUPREME!

Building Garrett's Baldur's Gate 3 Character - Garrett & Kyle's Podcast Vacation Vol.3

Oh my goodness, look at the time. Baldur’s Gate is basically out when we return from Fan Fest and as it is a construct of 5th Edition D&D, Kyle gives Garrett the full run down. What shall Garrett make? Is Kyle leading the witness?!

Worth the Whip? | The Grinding Gear Podcast #48

Star Wars Ahsoka trailer, Indiana Jones Dial of Destiny review and Diablo tells players to “touch grass”: this is Grinding Gear. We prepare to depart on our two-week Summer Vacation and Fan Fest adventure. A special pre-recorded episode will be posted next week for your listening enjoyment. Speaking of Fan Fest, the schedule for the convention is up but remains shrouded in mystery. What will a non-BlizzCon MMO convention feel like? What is there to do? How many Emets will there be?! All...

Safe or Not for Work | The Grinding Gear Podcast #47

Day of the deepest dives. In preparation for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Garrett has rewatched EVERY movie, including the Crystal Skull. Kyle has become deeply invested in Transformers and shares his findings. Pokemon has started a forum this week, so prepare for our first ever very cursed game show. What are we playing, emails and more! Supportourbromance.com or we’ll launch a new discord with zero moderation. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?!

Most Copies Sold to Jason | The Grinding Gear Podcast #46

The numbers are in! Or are they? FF16 has sold 3 million copies. A stacked year continues with Baldur’s Gate releasing early for PC to avoid lining up verse Starfield. Would you shave your head for money? How much? What if it was refunded? Deep questions like this and more.

Spartan Direct | The Grinding Gear Podcast #45

Grind through the end of this wild week with us! Nintendo Direct unleashed a number of announcements that caught our eye. Dota 2, a long-running MOBA, is getting rid of Battle Passes while Diablo 4 prepares to unleash its first one. Garrett and Kyle extol the virtues of Diablo 4 for a bit, before heading into FF16 review round-up which is looking mighty impressive. Emails and more.

Starfeelings | The Grinding Gear Podcast #44

2023 will become a year of games! FF16 is just around the corner and we are into it! Garrett and Kyle also talk Xbox Showcase: Starfield, Fable and eventually Star Wars Outlaws. Armored Core also had a “demo” but it was a demo-stration. Want more FF16 talk? Patrons and members prepare your bonus content!

Dia-Bros | The Grinding Gear Podcast #43

Beau Schwartz of the Core Podcast joins us LIVE from the field today for a massive talk on Diablo 4. Beau is participating in the race to lvl 100 hardcore events and every minute counts, including the ones on this show! We talk about the game, the systems, and the “sell speed” of Blizzard's new ARPG. No story spoilers as hardcore racers don’t have time for cutscenes.

Pay to Fix | The Grinding Gear Podcast #42

Diablo 4 has been released in paid early access? Blizzard continues its mysterious maneuvers. On the whole, Diablo 4 is pleasing its action rpg fans with a great game, though Playstation players are stuck with connectivity issues. Garrett and Kyle have been around the Blizzard sphere for many years, and we give you a full rundown of all that's happening around the (sort of) upcoming release. What we can’t understand is the bizarre Kotick interview the Verge published his week. Recover f...

Is This E3? | The Grinding Gear Podcast #41

Playstation unleashed a haul of trailers yesterday, and we’re here to talk about them. Trailer with no gameplay, mysteries abound but also lots and lots of cute indies and mainstream games coming our way. Assassin's Creed returning to form? Dragons Dogma 2 has our attention. WoW token causes drama for the Classic community, Initial D's sequel: MF Ghost, and more.

Exploding D*cks | The Grinding Gear Podcast #40

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is out and it’s time for the big showdown! Garrett, having played Breath of the Wild, wants his old Zelda back. Kyle, who is fresh to Switch Zelda games is smitten. Blizzard is at it again! Overwatch lost its 2 status in the fans eyes this week as they have canceled their big promised PVE mode. What will this mean for Diablo 4 and their future? What will this mean for BlizzCon just announced? Need for Speed, Darkest Dungeon 2 and more! Supportourbromance.com ...

Cooking with Jesse Cox | The Grinding Gear Podcast #39

Garrett and Kyle have finished FFXIV Shadowbringers which has summoned the Jesse Cox primal. Join as they talk Warhammer, getting friends into Final Fantasy XIV, and the end of Shadowbringers.

Who is this for? | The Grinding Gear Podcast #38

Redfall falls short. War Hammers on. Dune too. Whether its $70 or Game Pass, nobody is feeling the new Arkane Studios. Kyle has gone down a deep Warhammer 40k rabbit hole with the upcoming release of the 10th edition. Garrett loves cars, car games, and car movies. Luigi’s Mansion? Love it. All this and more. 

Blocking Blizzard | The Grinding Gear Podcast #37

Bean Bag Gaming | The Grinding Gear Podcast #36

Garrett, fresh from joining the final episode of Angry Chicken, is feeling a bit wistful. Kyle lost his weekend to Total War: Warhammer III. Our old photo-copied original pokemon art is getting an update. LOTR Gollum devs put Elvish behind a paywall. FF16’s State of Play really sold the game to RPG fans. Mailbag and more.

All the Mario! | The Grinding Gear Podcast #35

Sometimes, Nintendo does what the internet wants. Mario breaks all the records and a new trailer for Tears of the Kingdom has been released. Diablo excitedly announced their battle pass will take 80 hours to complete. Star Wars Celebration announced MANY upcoming projects. What three games would YOU play forever? This and more.

Power Up! | The Grinding Gear Podcast #34

The new rigs are here! With the help of Doghouse Systems and Cooler Master, the videos, stream, and gaming have had a SUBSTANTIAL UPGRADE! Garrett has been deep in Call of Duty, Kyle has been reading webcomics for the first time. A trailer for Bohemia Interactive’s Silica has caught our attention, are RTS back on the menu?! QA and more!

Attack Dog | The Grinding Gear Podcast #33

From Resident Evil 4 to FF16, this episode is packed with game goodness. RE4 was unleashed to rave reviews and already has sold 3 million copies. Yoshi P shows off FF16 in real time at PAX East, while combating the haters. Garrett watches John Wick, Kyle watches Uncle from Another World.

The Instance Epilogue with Scott Johnson! | The Grinding Gear Podcast #32

Scott Johnson, previously of The Instance: A World of Warcraft Podcast (so you don’t have to) joins the show. Garrett ended The Instance alongside Scott just last year along with Kyle’s ongoing D&D Podcast There Will Be Dungeons. The craft of podcasting, content creation is deeply delved into with this reunion. Scott is also a massive Diablo fan and is here to give you the scoop on the beta weekend that was, and what it’s going to be. Supportourbromance.com or we’ll add yellow tape and ...