Spawn On Me with Kahlief Adams: A Video Game Podcast

I got to check out Sound System at GDC and immediately knew I had to get the team back on the show. This conversation with Echo Foundry's Lennon Lange, who worked on the original Guitar Hero, breaks down exactly why this could be the rhythm game revival we've been waiting for. We're talking about real innovation, not just nostalgia.• How Classic Mode and Pro Mode balance accessibility with hardcore challenge• The creator-focused tools that could transform how rhythm games work• Why having a Guitar Hero veteran leading this matters for the genre's future• What Sound System gets right about multiplayer and customization• The bigger picture of bringing rhythm games back to mainstream gamingSound System isn't just trying to recapture the past - it's building something that makes sense for today's gaming landscape. This is the kind of conversation that gets me hyped about where gaming is headed.— FIND US EVERYWHERE —YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/SPAWNONMETwitch (Live Wed 6PM PST):https://www.twitch.tv/SPAWNONMEX / Twitter:https://x.com/SpawnOnMeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/spawnonmepodcastTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@SpawnOnMeSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7gu7BteqvEnhZAP0MM2AApple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3wuJxYtMerch:https://spawnonme-1-shop.fourthwall.comBusiness / PR:[email protected] on X:https://x.com/KahliefAdamsKahlief on IG:https://www.instagram.com/itskahliefKahlief on Bluesky:itskahlief.bsky.social

Finally got to sit down with George Krstic, the creative mind behind one of horror gaming's biggest hits right now. We're talking Poppy Playtime Chapter 5, the psychology of "weaponized nostalgia," and why this series has managed to stand out in the crowded mascot horror space when so many others fall flat.What we covered:• The origins of Poppy Playtime and what inspired the creepy-cute aesthetic• How they approach character design to maximize the creep factor • The concept of "weaponized nostalgia" and turning childhood comfort into terror• Chapter 5's development and what makes this horror series actually workIf you're not already subscribed to Spawn On Me, now's the time! We're the internet's definitive gaming podcast spotlighting gamers of color, and we bring you conversations like this every week. Hit that subscribe button, ring the notification bell, and let's keep this community growing. We out here in Brookago doing the work, and we need y'all with us.
— FIND US EVERYWHERE —
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/SPAWNONME
Twitch (Live Wed 6PM PST):https://www.twitch.tv/SPAWNONME
X / Twitter:https://x.com/SpawnOnMe
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/spawnonmepodcast
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@SpawnOnMe
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7gu7BteqvEnhZAP0MM2A
Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3wuJxYt
Merch:https://spawnonme-1-shop.fourthwall.com
Business / PR:[email protected]
Kahlief on X:https://x.com/KahliefAdams
Kahlief on IG:https://www.instagram.com/itskahlief
Kahlief on Bluesky:itskahlief.bsky.social

We're back from GDC and I've got A LOT to unpack. This week on Spawn On Me. I'm diving deep into everything that had the internet buzzing coming out of the Game Developers Conference.
First up: Project Helix. Xbox finally confirmed the name, the hardware direction, and what their partnership with AMD really means for the future — FSR Next, machine learning integration, a custom AMD SOC, and yes… it IS a console.Then I get into the DLSS 5 controversy that has the gaming community split right down the middle. Is NVIDIA's latest AI upscaling tech a game-changer or a line that shouldn't have been crossed?
Plus — GDC sleeper hit alert. I got hands-on with a 90's nostalgia brawler that nobody saw coming, and it might be one of the most exciting indie games of the year. Think Double Dragon meets Scott Pilgrim with Demolition Manenergy.
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY GB STUDIO CENTRAL MAGAZINE!
Have you ever wanted to make your OWN Game Boy game? Now you can — no coding required. My friends at GB Studio Central have an incredible open-source retro game creator AND a gorgeous quarterly magazine delivered straight to your door, packed with interviews, game showcases, and everything you need to get started in the GB game-making world.
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In this episode of Spawn On Me, I sit down with IGDA Foundation Executive Director Alyssa Walles for a real conversation about what it actually takes to get more game developers the funding, mentorship, and access they deserve. We dig into the Foundation’s mission to break down barriers for underrepresented and marginalized creators around the world, and how their programs help devs find the resources they need to build sustainable careers and bring their games to life.
We talk about how access to capital, professional development, and community can change everything for a developer trying to break into the industry. Alyssa shares how the Foundation is building pathways through scholarships, mentorship initiatives, and direct support that connect talented creators with real opportunities. If you care about equity in games, want to understand how funding pipelines really work, or are looking for ways to support the next generation of developers, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

What's good, y'all! Welcome back to episode 565 of Spawn On Me - we're officially back and kicking off 2026 right! I know it's been a minute since I've been in your ears consistently, but your boy has been in the trenches getting things together, and I'm excited to be back in Brookago with all of you beautiful people. This episode, we're diving deep into some real conversations about the gaming industry, from HighGuard layoffs to how we approach criticism. We need to chill with the immediate hate on everything that drops before we even give it a chance.
We dig into State of Play, PS6 potentially getting delayed, and my time at DICE as well.

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