

Hype Factor: A Fantasy Critic Podcast
Hype Factor
In this monthly podcast, Jon and Marcus discuss everything you need to know about Fantasy Critic. They breakdown the year's releases, discuss the news and predict review scores - all through a Fantasy Critic lens.Blue Sky: @hypefactor.bsky.socialIntro/Outro Music by Zapsplat (www.zapsplat.com)
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 50min
Episode 19 - The Doctor Is In: Chatting with Dr. Garret Bland
In Episode 19, Jon and Marcus bring on Garret Bland of the RPG Cave to talk about his history with Fantasy Critic and how he values & chooses RPGs for his team. He also sticks around to discuss news, look back at March's releases and look forward to what's coming up. GET HYPED!!! Time Stamps:0:00 - Intro1:50 - Topic of the Month: Interview with Garret35:38 - News/Announcements1:06:42 - Hype Check - Looking Back & Ahead 1:27:17 - Pixel Prognostications 1:45:14 - Closing Follow us and send us your questions on Blue Sky: @HypeFactor.bsky.social or on Twitter: @hypefactorfcFind Garret on Blue Sky: @blandexplosion.bsky.socialPodcast Art by the amazing Eric Gilles: https://linktr.ee/MrTheHumanIntro/Outro Music by Zapsplat www.zapsplat.com

Feb 27, 2026 • 1h 34min
Episode 18 - Budget Management
In Episode 18, Jon and Marcus chat about what determines how much they bid on games. As always they also discuss news, look back at February's releases and look forward to what's coming up. GET HYPED!!! Time Stamps:0:00 - Intro1:01 - Topic of the Month: Budget Management34:52 - News/Announcements1:07:12 - Hype Check - Looking Back & Ahead 1:22:44 - Pixel Prognostications 1:32:00 - ClosingFollow us and send us your questions on Blue Sky: @HypeFactor.bsky.social or on Twitter: @hypefactorfcIntro/Outro Music by Zapsplat www.zapsplat.com

Feb 2, 2026 • 2h 1min
Episode 17 - Tier List of Hidden Gems
In Episode 17, Jon and Marcus prepare a tier list for A WHOLE BUNCH of games likely to be available in your leagues. As always, they also discuss news, look back at January's releases and look forward to what's coming up. GET HYPED!!! Time Stamps:6:46 - Topic of the Month: Tier List of Hidden Gems1:37:06 - News/Announcements1:49:18 - Hype Check - Looking Back1:51:42 - Pixel Prognostications 1:58:02 - ClosingFollow us and send us your questions on Blue Sky: @HypeFactor.bsky.socialIntro/Outro Music by Zapsplat www.zapsplat.com

Jan 2, 2026 • 1h 45min
Episode 16 - 2026 Draft Preview
In Episode 16, Jon and Marcus preview the 2026 fantasy critic draft and provide their locks, booms or busts, sleepers and games to avoid. GET HYPED!!! Time Stamps:1:53 - Topic of the Month: 2026 Draft Preview1:20:18 - Hype Check1:35:40 - Pixel Prognostications1:41:28 - ClosingFollow us and send us your questions on Blue Sky: @HypeFactor.bsky.socialIntro/Outro Music by Zapsplat www.zapsplat.com

Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 27min
Episode 15 - 2025 Season Wrap Up
Jon and Marcus dive into the thrilling wrap-up of the 2025 fantasy critic season. They reveal surprising game releases like Expedition 33 and the unexpected impact of Donkey Kong Bonanza. They reflect on their biggest misses, celebrate indie sleepers that turned the tide, and advise on cautious picks. Highlights include debating Metroid Prime 4’s low score and the excitement of upcoming titles like Pragmata. With a dash of humor and insights, they prepare for the challenges ahead in 2026 while keeping listeners hyped!

23 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 47min
Episode 14 - Getting to Know Us
Jon and Marcus dive into their gaming journeys, recalling classic consoles and impactful titles that shaped their love for gaming. They share recent favorites and explore the appeal of indie games. The duo discusses exciting news from Sony's State of Play, including potential fantasy picks for 2026, and the implications of major game delays like GTA 6. They also tackle the controversy surrounding AI-created assets in games and highlight listener questions about bidding strategies. Get ready for a lively conversation packed with gaming insights!

Oct 27, 2025 • 2h
Episode 13 - Critics Royale w/ Dan from Canada
In Episode 13, Jon and Marcus bring on Dan from Canada to talk about Critics Royale and the Fantasy Critic Super League. He also sticks around to discuss news, look back at October's releases and look forward to what's coming up. GET HYPED!!! Time Stamps:0:00 - Intro1:59 - Topic of the Month: Interview with Dan from Canada36:43 - News/Announcements1:09:50 - Hype Check - Looking Back & Ahead 1:41:59 - Pixel Prognostications 1:51:17 - Listener Questions1:56:32 - ClosingFollow us and send us your questions on Blue Sky: @HypeFactor.bsky.socialFollow Dan on Blue Sky: @fielderschoice9.bsky.socialIntro/Outro Music by Zapsplat www.zapsplat.com

Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 56min
Episode 12 - The One with Sean Capri
In Episode 12, Jon and Marcus welcome Carpool Gaming's Sean Capri to chat Fantasy Critic. Sean gets into how he builds his fantasy teams and the role fantasy critic can play within an online community. He also sticks around to discuss news, look back at September's releases and look forward to what's coming up. GET HYPED!!! Time Stamps:0:00 - Intro2:35 - Topic of the Month: Interview with Sean Capri25:46 - News/Announcements59:29 - Hype Check - Looking Back & Ahead 1:27:07- Pixel Prognostications 1:43:49 - Listener Questions1:50:39 - ClosingFollow us and send us your questions on Blue Sky: @HypeFactor.bsky.socialCheck out Carpool Gaming at https://carpoolgaming.com and follow Sean on Blue Sky: @cpgsean.bsky.socialIntro/Outro Music by Zapsplat www.zapsplat.com

Aug 31, 2025 • 1h 38min
Episode 11 - DLC
In Episode 11, Jon and Marcus dig deep into DLC and attempt to answer whether they are worth adding to your roster. They also discuss fantasy relevant news, announcements, look back at August's releases and look forward to what's coming up soon. GET HYPED!!! Time Stamps:0:00 - Intro12:15 - Topic of the Month: DLC36:02 - News/Announcements1:09:27 - Hype Check - Looking Back & Ahead 1:25:38 - Pixel Prognostications1:35:16 - ClosingFollow us and send us your questions on Blue Sky: @HypeFactor.bsky.social OR on Twitter: @hypefactorfcIntro/Outro Music by Zapsplat www.zapsplat.com

Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 22min
Episode 10 - 2K Games
In Episode 10, Jon and Marcus do a deep dive into publisher, 2K Games. They also discuss fantasy relevant news, announcements, look back at July's releases and look forward to what's coming up soon. GET HYPED!!! Time Stamps:0:00 - Intro9:33 - Topic of the Month: 2K Games29:00 - News/Announcements46:49 - Hype Check - Looking Back & Ahead 1:04:08 - Pixel Prognostications1:14:00 - Listener Questions1:19:38 - ClosingFollow us and send us your questions on Blue Sky: @HypeFactor.bsky.socialIntro/Outro Music by Zapsplat www.zapsplat.com


