Stephen Totilo

This podcast features Chris Grant, a gaming writer known for his insights into hardware and culture, alongside Stephen Totilo from GameFile.news, who provides in-depth historical context. The conversation focuses on the quirky Power Glove, exploring its ambitious yet flawed design and how it paved the way for future motion control technology. They recount personal experiences with the glove, its infamous adoption hurdles, and its surprising cultural impact, including its role in 'The Wizard' movie. The discussion wraps up with its lasting legacy and potential nostalgia-driven comebacks.

Jake Kastrenakes, a technology journalist, and Stephen Totilo, former Kotaku host, dive into the Flappy Bird phenomenon. They explore how its deceptive simplicity made it a global hit while stressing out its creator, Dong Nguyen. The discussion covers the addictive mechanics that drew players in, the fierce online backlash following its success, and the cultural impact of its abrupt removal from app stores. They also analyze the game's legacy in mobile gaming and ponder whether Flappy Bird can ever be truly replicated.

Stephen Totilo, veteran games journalist who founded the GameFile Substack after roles at MTV News, Kotaku, and Axios. He talks about leaving institutional media to build a subscription publication. He explores balancing reporting with running a business. He dives into AI’s role in reporting, issues with AI-generated pitches, and ethical tensions when industry readers pay.