This week we're all about Mojiken Studio and Toge Productions' A Space for the Unbound: a slice-of-life adventure game with beautifully detailed pixel art set in rural Indonesia in the late 1990s - following high school sweethearts Atma and Raya as they grapple with coming of age as their world falls apart and the very fabric of reality is tested. Ah, youth! CONTENT WARNING: A Space for the Unbound includes depictions of anxiety, depression, and suicide which are discussed during this episode.0:53 - Patreon shoutouts, eyebrow bleaching, and Ant-Man 6:44 - A Space for the Unbound discussion46:27 - SPOILERS START HERE! (Discussing specific emotional beats and themes upon completion of the game)1:07:00 - END SPOILERS - Closing thoughts and reflectionsSide QuestLet’s Adopt! Indonesia Animal Shelterpaypal.me/letsadoptindonesiaSaving animals through education and partnership. TNR as well as adoption services. Check them out on IG and Facebook!About Pixel TherapyNew episodes every three weeks! Learn more at pixeltherapypod.com or follow us on social media @pixeltherapypod. If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod

Yes, the horrors are indescribable, but you've got to serve. Join us as we dive into Obsidian Entertainment's Pentiment, a painstakingly detailed medieval murder mystery that reminds us that time is a flat circle (and what we know of history is often from just one perspective...). Meanwhile, Spencer's falling in love with Murder, She Wrote, Jamie's bingeing Hacks, and everyone is gagged over HBO's The Last of Us!4:25 - What is this, TV Therapy? 17:39 - Pentiment discussionSide Questgofund.me/F804BB72On January 21, at least 11 individuals were killed and many more seriously injured in a shooting spree that occurred at a dance studio in Monterey Park California, just blocks away from a joyous New Year festival where thousands of people gathered.Please donate to this collective fundraiser by Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Stop AAPI Hate, Asian Pacific Community Fund, The Asian American Foundation, AAPI equity Alliance, Gold House, Stand with Asian Americans, Chinatown Service Center, and Ann Wang. This fundraiser is put together by 18millionrising, an organization utilizing the power of community to grieve, process, and connect, even if we are physically apart. gofund.me/F804BB72About Pixel TherapyNew episodes every three weeks! Learn more at pixeltherapypod.com or follow us on social media @pixeltherapypod. If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod

New year, still queer! Spencer and Jamie kick off 2023 with some new directions for the show. Then Spencer tries to communicate the life-changing magic of FuturLab's PowerWash Simulator, which is cheaper than therapy and basically just as effective, while Jamie unpacks the extremely earnest and undeniably queer energy of Marvel's Midnight Suns from Firaxis Games. 0:57 - Intros & catch-ups7:23 - 13 Going on 30 does NOT hold up14:27 - BREAKFAST PIZZA?!19:10 - PowerWash Simulator discussion 37:07 - Marvel's Midnight Suns discussionSide QuestLet's rebuild a home for a cherished Black, disabled family in Florida!givebutter.com/yochevedYocheved (yo-heh-ved)  and Miss Wanda urgently need funds to repair their family’s home in Gainesville, FL. Most of their family members are disabled, and due to abysmal healthcare in Florida, are unable to seek proper care. They have to rebuild their off-the-grid home for what is now the third time due to repeated displacement.givebutter.com/yochevedAbout Pixel TherapyNew episodes every three weeks! Learn more at pixeltherapypod.com or follow us on social media @pixeltherapypod. If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod

It's somehow that time again...for our completely unofficial end-of-year reflection and round-up of all the games that made us laugh, cry, and obsess over for weeks! Join us as we close out another great year of sharing our favorite pastime with you, and gear up for another awesome year of gaming yet to come. 1:03 - Announcements, Patreon shoutouts, etc10:45 - Our play counts19:27 - 2022 in gaming news highlights33:07 - Our totally subjective and specific awards! 1:08:00 - Games we missed in 2022Side QuestHelp fund housing security for over 1,000 black trans folks in needwww.linktr.ee/transisbeautifulAbout Pixel TherapyNew episodes every three weeks! Learn more at pixeltherapypod.com or follow us on social media @pixeltherapypod. If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod

Heellloooooooo! We're back from our fall break and you KNOW we had to bring y'all up to speed on everything God of War Ragnarök, the latest installment in the storied series and the direct sequel to Sony Santa Monica Studios' 2018 soft reboot of Kratos' epic coming of age-- even if that age is pushing 1,000. Join us as we revel in each lovingly crafted detail of this masterpiece, try not to cry, and predictably run out of time. Also, Spencer pets a giant isopod and Jamie masters the art of doggie dental health. SCROLL TO SEE TIMESTAMPS FOR SPOILER SECTIONNO SPOILERS BEFORE 1:04:183:41 - Catch up and annoucements!12:35 - Intro to God of War Ragnarök review and discussion15:25 - Nominations and really cool gameplay data insights30:18 - Gameplay and combat: because sometimes hitting stuff just hits41:10 - Spencer's ONE critique lol 45:02 - 3D sound design? Slaying48:45 - The animation? Breathtaking52:51 - The writing and performances? GIVING1:04:18 - SPOILERCAST DISCUSSION BEGINS HERESide Quest Transanta - transanta.com Right now, young trans people, particularly Black and Brown trans youth, are under attack across the country and around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated unsafe conditions for trans youth who are houseless, in foster care, in detention, and in abusive or otherwise unsafe housing situations.We want to show trans young people that they are loved, supported, and have a family of people around the world who care about them and want them to succeed.Anyone can be a Santa, join us!About Pixel TherapyNew episodes every three weeks! Learn more at pixeltherapypod.com or follow us on social media @pixeltherapypod. We're proud members of the But Why Tho? Podcast Network: visit ButWhyThoPodcast.com for everything pop culture in an inclusive geek community! If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod

Welcome to our 50th episode! Whaaaaat? Thanks for spending two years and countless hours talking games and being gay with us. This week, Spencer and Jamie dive into the delightfully devilish Cult of the Lamb from Massive Monster and Devolver Digital, an addicting mash-up of Hades and Animal Crossing with plenty of poop management. Then Wells Santo (he/she/they) an educator, researcher and activist on the societal implications of technology - especially artificial intelligence - joins to chat PhD life, the power, potential, and dangerous misconceptions of AI, the perfect Boba tea order, and how 2018's Florence brought Wells back to video games after a decade away!After this episode we'll be taking a short break for some Life Events and mysterious medical leave, so enjoy your spooky season and we'll catch you in November 2022! 10:15 - Jamie shows off her new STEAM DECK!17:49 - Cult of the Lamb discussion45:07 - Interview with Wells SantoFollow Wells on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WellsLucasSanto Side Quest https://linktr.ee/PBOPEOPLE’S PROGRAMS is an Oakland-based Black/New Afrikan organization dedicated to the liberation and unification of ALL Afrikan people through scientific socialism. We are governed by the ideologies, theories, principles, and practices of Revolutionary Nationalists and Pan-Africanists, and we are aiming to do our part to contribute to the New Afrikan Independence Movement.Volunteer/donate/sign up for mutual aid efforts/check out PBO’s podcast Hella Black, and more! About Pixel TherapyNew episodes every three weeks! Learn more at pixeltherapypod.com or follow us on social media (we're most active on Twitter!) @pixeltherapypod. We're proud members of the But Why Tho? Podcast Network: visit ButWhyThoPodcast.com for everything pop culture in an inclusive geek community! If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod

Hey gamers! This week, Spencer and Jamie play everyone's favorite kitty cat game -- BlueTwelve and Annapurrna Interactive's blockbuster cat adventure platformer, STRAY! Also, because she's an overachiever, Jamie somehow finds some time to chat about INTERIOR/NIGHT and Xbox Game Studios' experimental interactive narrative game As Dusk Falls.Then we're joined by two of the fine folks at Achimostawinan Games: Art Lead and Character Designer Sadekaronhes Esquivel, and Founder, Owner, and Lead Game Designer Meagan Byrne! We loved our convo with Sade and Meagan on the world of their forthcoming game Hill Agency: PURITYdecay, and we're sure you will too! CORRECTION NOTE: This episode was recorded prior to the announcement that Hill Agency has been delayed to Fall 2022. The release date mentioned within the episode is no longer accurate.8:27 - Are y'all watching The Bear on Hulu?14:18 - Stray discussion32:39 - As Dusk Falls discussion51:00 - Interview with Achimo GamesFollow Achimo Games: https://achimogames.ca/ Wishlist Hill Agency on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1358370/Hill_Agency_PURITYdecay/ Side Questcats.org.uk/support-us/pawsome-playersFrom humble beginnings in 1927, Cats Protection has grown to become the UK's leading cat charity. We help an estimated 166,000 cats and kittens a year through our national network which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres. At Cats Protection, we’re working hard to improve the lives of cats. We offer cat adoption, rehoming and neutering assistance as well as help and advice to cat owners and cat lovers. As a leading animal welfare charity, our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness.You can visit their website to sign up to be a Pawsome Player and stream with the goal of raising money for homeless cats. If youre a first time streamer, no problem! Cats Protection will set you up with a fundraising pack, tips to support your event and great social media graphics via email to help with your fundraising.About Pixel TherapyNew episodes every three weeks! Learn more at pixeltherapypod.com or follow us on social media (we're most active on Twitter!) @pixeltherapypod. We're proud members of the But Why Tho? Podcast Network: visit ButWhyThoPodcast.com for everything pop culture in an inclusive geek community! If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod

Hey gamers! It's grab the Nintendo Switch and flop on the bed by the air conditioner weather, and we're ready to get in our feelings! After 90+ hours with just ONE storyline in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Spencer is left with a new appreciation for tactical strategy RPGs; meanwhile, Jamie finally finds the time is right for 2016's The Last Guardian and its beautifully mysterious and heart-wrenching world. Then we're joined by Kayla Ancrum (she/her), author of The Wicker King, The Weight of the Stars, Darling, and more! Kayla chats her early days as a Gameboy girl, the enduring appeal of YA literature, regardless of age, graffiti artist skater teens resisting a totalitarian police state in Jet Set Radio Future, and more! 4:44 - Our impromptu Thor: Love and Thunder movie review lol15:25 - Fire Emblem: Three Houses discussion38:25 - The Last Guardian discussion1:01:54 - Interview with Kayla AncrumFollow Kayla on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaylaAncrumCheck out her work! https://kancrum.com/ Side Questwomenandchildrenfirst.comWomen & Children First Bookstore believes in the transformative power of literature. As intersectional trans-inclusive feminists, we believe books are tools for liberation. Since 1979, we have celebrated and amplified underrepresented voices. In order for feminism to remain relevant, it must be forever evolving.Visit their website to learn more and donate to their Chicago Books to Women in Prison program!About Pixel TherapyNew episodes every three weeks! Learn more at pixeltherapypod.com or follow us on social media (we're most active on Twitter!) @pixeltherapypod. We're proud members of the But Why Tho? Podcast Network: visit ButWhyThoPodcast.com for everything pop culture in an inclusive geek community! If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod

Sup y'all, we're clinging to spots of joy in this burning world! This week, Spencer hosts tea parties and finds their footing as a magical warrior professor in Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo's Fire Emblem: Three Houses, while Jamie gets spooky (but not too scary) in Supermassive Games' The Quarry.Then we're joined by April Kit Walsh (she/her or gay/ghem), a kickass civil liberties lawyer at the Electronic Frontier Foundation as well as the designer behind Gay Spaceship Games -- and the Nebula Award-winning tabletop RPG Thirsty Sword Lesbians -- to chat about her early days as a modder, how her values shine through in her storytelling and game-making, not-so-literal swords, and so much more! PS: Humans have been around for about 300 generations! (This'll make sense in the interview)Follow April on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/prilkitCheck out Thirsty Sword Lesbianshttps://evilhat.com/product/thirsty-sword-lesbians/8:26 - Fire Emblem: Three Houses discussion23:08 - The Quarry discussion47:47 - Interview with April Kit WalshSide Questtranslifeline.orgTrans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community. Trans Lifeline connects trans people to the community support and resources we need to survive and thrive.About Pixel TherapyNew episodes drop every other Tuesday. Learn more at pixeltherapypod.com or follow us on social media (we're most active on Twitter!) @pixeltherapypod. We're proud members of the But Why Tho? Podcast Network: visit ButWhyThoPodcast.com for everything pop culture in an inclusive geek community! If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod

'Sup, gaymers and theymers? This week, Spencer and Jamie dust off their Nintendo Switches and kick off Wrath Month! Join us as we explore Spencer's extremely late arrival to Sid Meier's Civilization VI and Jamie's dive into Triangle Strategy's SALTY political intrigue. Then we're joined by Ace (they/she), aka @A_TypicalQueer: a content creator, activist working with Equality New York and NEW Pride Agenda, and Director of DEI Consulting at Qweerty Gamers! We talked with Ace about using games to hold space for important conversations, thriving on other people’s bullshit, and how they approach activism for marginalized LGBTQIA+ folks!10:02 - Civilization 6 discussion27:56 - Triangle Strategy discussion51:21 - Interview with Ace, @A_TypicalQueer1:23:56 - CONTENT WARNING - Reference to suicide and suicidal thoughts1:25:18 - END OF CONTENT WARNING'Civilization and Strategy Games' Progress Delusion' by Gabriel Soares (2019): https://www.vice.com/en/article/4aggzm/civilization-and-strategy-games-progress-delusionFollow Ace:https://twitter.com/a_typicalqueerSide QuestMetahealth.ggPer Gayming Mag: “Meta by Sinai Health Foundation is a dynamic and diverse online gaming community whose mission is to fundraise and support the game-changing research and services at Sinai Health, including vital programs directly serving the LGBTQ2S+ community. This Pride, Meta is gathering gamers and creators together to support young people between the ages of 16 and 29 who visit Mount Sinai Hospital’s Emergency Department in need of timely and inclusive mental healthcare.”About Pixel TherapyNew episodes drop every other Tuesday. Learn more at pixeltherapypod.com or follow us on social media (we're most active on Twitter!) @pixeltherapypod. We're proud members of the But Why Tho? Podcast Network: visit ButWhyThoPodcast.com for everything pop culture in an inclusive geek community! If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate us, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts (or your listening app of choice) and subscribe! Want more? Unlock monthly bonus episodes for $2/mo at patreon.com/pixeltherapypod