TR-49 reading-and-puzzle note

What a chockablock episode this week, touching on games like Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, Cairn, and Vinny's Silent Hill f ending extravaganza, plus how the Epstein files intersect with gaming, alarming layoff stats in game development, Switch sales' major new milestone, things we miss from the pre-Internet gaming era, and the AI-powered Parappa the Rapper podcast coming soon to a PlayStation near you.

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) NOTE: Some timecodes may be inaccurate for versions other than the ad-free Patreon version due to dynamic ad insertions. Please use caution if skipping around to avoid spoilers. Thanks for listening.
(00:00:10) Intro
(00:05:00) That video is fantastic and you should watch the whole thing!
(00:05:36) There's even more of that terrible Captain America movie?
(00:13:16) Cairn  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5]  |  Jan 29, 2026
(00:23:52) First Break
(00:23:57) Dragon Quest VII Reimagined  |  [Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S]  |  Feb 05, 2026
(00:50:08) Earth Must Die  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows)]  |  Jan 27, 2026
(00:53:26) Absolum  |  [Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5]  |  Oct 09, 2025
(00:56:22) TR-49  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac]  |  Jan 21, 2026
(00:57:05) Silent Hill f  |  [PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S]  |  Sep 25, 2025
(00:58:14) [SPOILERS] Ok, we are going to talk about SOME Silent Hill f narrative stuff
(01:16:29) Second Break
(01:16:33) The Epstein Files and Gaming
(01:30:47) Sony patents AI podcasts?
(01:39:34) Over a quarter of game developers have lost their jobs
(01:47:13) Obsidian not working on Outer Worlds 3...
(01:51:03) The Switch is Nintendo's biggest seller! Ever!
(01:54:41) Finally, a use for you Labo VR!
(01:59:51) Apex Legends shutting down on Switch
(02:01:14) Grand Theft Auto 6 may indeed have a physical release at launch!
(02:02:16) Highguard gets a five versus five mode!
(02:05:22) Emails
(02:27:38) Wrapping up and thanks
(02:29:57) Mysterious Benefactor Tier Shoutouts
(02:30:58) Nextlander Content Updates
(02:33:14) See ya!