The Single Player Experience

• Xbox Crocs, Game Awards Chaos, and Another Xbox Price Hike... Plus the Sleeper Pick of the Week

  Xbox Crocs, Game Awards Chaos, and Another Xbox Price Hike... Plus the Sleeper Pick of the WeekThis week on The Single Player Experience, Sebastion dives into one of the strangest, funniest, and most frustrating weeks in gaming news. First up: Xbox Crocs. Yes, the collaboration is real, and yes, they look exactly like you think they look. We break down the internet’s reaction, why Xbox keeps leaning into meme marketing, and what this means for their brand identity going into 2025.Next, we unpack the 2025 Game Awards Nominations, what stood out, what shocked us, which single-player games were robbed, and what these nominations tell us about the changing landscape of modern gaming.And then… the big one: Another Xbox Price Increase?A new report claims the Series X and Series S might jump in price again due to rising RAM costs driven by global AI data center expansion. We discuss what’s going on, why Microsoft is in this position, and what this means for gamers as the industry gets more expensive than ever.Finally, Sebastion wraps the episode with your Sleeper Pick of the Week: Tower Dominion, a smart, addictive, incredibly strategic tower-defense/roguelite hybrid you absolutely should be playing.If you love single-player gaming, this episode is loaded.Tags / SEO Keywords:#XboxNews #GameAwards2025 #XboxPriceIncrease #GamingPodcast #SinglePlayerGames #TowerDominion #SleeperPick #GamingIndustry #XboxCrocs #PodcastEpisode #GamerNews #GameAwardsNominations #StrategyGames #MicrosoftGaming

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• Inside Pro Basketball Manager 2026: New Engine, New Systems, and More — Developer Interview

  Pro BasketBall Manager: Devs InterviewIn this premiere episode of our new developer interview series, Make the Experience, Sebastion sits down with Yoann and Victor from UMIX Studios, the team behind the long-running Pro Basketball Manager franchise. With Pro Basketball Manager 2026, UMIX has delivered the biggest leap the series has seen in years — a fully rebuilt 3D engine, deeper tactical systems, richer team chemistry dynamics, improved negotiations, and for the first time ever, the fully licensed Basketball Champions League.In this conversation, we go deep into the craft and complexity of building a true basketball management sim. Yoann and Victor reveal what it takes to model human behavior, locker-room dynamics, on-court synergy, and the unpredictable, chaotic nature of real-world basketball. We discuss how they approached rebuilding the match engine from the ground up, the pressure and excitement of securing the BCL license, and why PBM 2026 is more than a yearly update — it’s a reimagining of what their series can be. Steam Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3585230/Pro_Basketball_Manager_2026/We also get into:How realistic chemistry and morale impact gameplayThe challenges of designing advanced stats and consistent simulationsTheir philosophy behind youth development, scouting, and long-term career savesThe importance of community modders and the upgraded editorWhat feature nearly broke development… and what they’d add with unlimited timeWhether you're a franchise-mode fanatic, a sim-head, a stat nerd, or a basketball junkie, this interview gives you an inside look at how UMIX Studios builds one of the deepest single-player sports experiences on PC.Welcome to Make the Experience — where we sit with the creators shaping the worlds single-player gamers love.🎧 Listen now and discover how Pro Basketball Manager 2026 was crafted from the ground up.

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• Is Avowed a Peak Fantasy RPG?

  Is Avowed a Peak Fantasy RPG?Summary:In this conversation, Sebastion Mauldin reviews the game 'Avowed', discussing its visuals, gameplay mechanics, story, and character development. He shares his mixed feelings about the game, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses, particularly in terms of graphics, combat, and NPC interactions. The review culminates in a final verdict, where he rates the game and reflects on its place within the RPG genre.Sebastion and The Single Player Experience Links:Head to Discord to join the FREE Single Player Experience Discord Server! https://discord.gg/YeCwD6gtDvFor more episodes, head here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-single-player-experience/id1634071295Connect with Sebastion: https://twitter.com/SebastionPNRYT: Single Player Experience#VIdeoGames #Gaming #Gamingvideos #VideoGamePodcast #GamingVideosChapters:00:00 Welcome to the Single Player Experience00:51 Diving into Single Player Gaming News and Reviews00:54 Anticipation for a New RPG03:36 Exploring the Western RPG Experience03:43 Introduction to Avowed: A New RPG Experience05:30 Gameplay Mechanics: Combat and Character Development07:17 Innovative Combat Combinations and Exploration09:00 Companions and Tactical Gameplay09:55 Challenges in Progression and Enemy Scaling11:45 Overall Impressions and Final Thoughts on Combat12:07 Visuals and Graphics Evaluation14:05 Storytelling and Narrative Experience16:22 Character Development and Companions Dynamics19:55 Initial Impressions of the Game22:30 Combat Mechanics and Gameplay Experience23:50 Final Verdict and Recommendations24:14 Introduction and Community Engagement25:08 Closing Thoughts and Future Content25:29 SPE Swipe Transition 1.mp425:30 SPE Trans 4 Youtube Video.mp4

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• Black Ops 7…Is Call of Duty’s Campaign Dead? But Indie Games Are Eating Good.

  Black Ops 7…Is Call of Duty’s Campaign Dead? But Indie Games Are Eating Good.Black Ops 7…Is Call of Duty’s Campaign Dead? But Indie Games Are Eating Good.Episode Description:In this episode of The Single Player Experience, Sebastion breaks down what the hell happened to Call of Duty’s campaigns — and why Black Ops 7 might be the biggest misfire the franchise has had in years. We dig into the good, the bad, the bizarre, and the downright punishing design decisions that make this year’s campaign feel like a betrayal to solo players.Then, we take a sharp turn into GOOD gaming news — because two indie games, Megabonk and Ball x Pit, are doing more for fun, creativity, and pure replayability than most AAA games this fall. We talk about why Megabonk voluntarily withdrew from The Game Awards, why Ball x Pit might have the best roguelike upgrade system of the year, and why these smaller games are carrying the genre forward.Whether you’re angry about CoD or looking for your next indie obsession, this episode has everything you need.Welcome to The Single Player Experience Podcast — your home for all things single-player gaming!In each episode, we dive into the best narrative-driven adventures, hidden indie gems, and backlog battles that every gamer can relate to.✨ Join our Discord community for game discussions & backlog support → ⁠https://discord.gg/YeCwD6gtDv⁠ 🎧 Listen to full episodes of the podcast here → ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1OBh5lXcbSKI3VCTb2qaPO⁠Watch Full Episodes of the Podcast On Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrruLWSRKIMHwhxIEV3z9lg/⁠ 📌 Follow for more gaming breakdowns, reviews, and backlog confessions.#SinglePlayerGames #GamingPodcast #BacklogChallenge #GameReview #GamerLife #PCGames #PS5Games #Xboxgames #Switchgames #videogames #podcast #gaming

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• GTA 6 Delay Breakdown, Marvel 1943 Trouble, and the Video Game Recommendation of the Week

  GTA 6 Delay Breakdown, Marvel 1943 Trouble, and the Video Game Recommendation of the WeekEPISODE DESCRIPTION:In this episode of The Single Player Experience Podcast, Sebastion dives into the biggest stories rocking the gaming world this week. Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed yet again—this time to November 2026—and we break down why Rockstar made this move, how much it’s costing them, and what it means for players.We also discuss Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra’s second major delay and what’s going on behind the scenes at Skydance.And finally, Sebastion gives his indie game recommendation of the week: Megabonk — the chaotic, hilarious roguelike that’s taking Steam by storm.🎮 Topics Covered:GTA 6’s third delay & Rockstar’s perfectionism problemThe $60 million cost behind the delayMarvel 1943’s postponement and Amy Hennig’s ambitious projectIndie Game Recommendation: Megabonk ReviewTune in for thoughtful insights, laughs, and all the single-player vibes you need for your week.Welcome to The Single Player Experience Podcast — your home for all things single-player gaming!In each episode, we dive into the best narrative-driven adventures, hidden indie gems, and backlog battles that every gamer can relate to.✨ Join our Discord community for game discussions & backlog support → https://discord.gg/YeCwD6gtDv 🎧 Listen to full episodes of the podcast here → https://open.spotify.com/show/1OBh5lXcbSKI3VCTb2qaPOWatch Full Episodes of the Podcast On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrruLWSRKIMHwhxIEV3z9lg/ 📌 Follow for more gaming breakdowns, reviews, and backlog confessions.#SinglePlayerGames #GamingPodcast #BacklogChallenge #GameReview #GamerLife #PCGames #PS5Games #Xboxgames #Switchgames #videogames #podcast #gamingTitle: GTA 6’s $60 Million Delay Explained, Marvel 1943 Pushed Again, and Why Megabonk Might Be the Next Great RoguelikeAnother week, another wave of gaming news shaking the single-player scene.Rockstar Games has officially delayed Grand Theft Auto VI again, this time moving its release date to November 19, 2026. That makes three delays since the game was first announced, and insiders say it could cost the company an extra $60 million. Despite the frustration from fans, Rockstar insists the extra time is necessary to reach the “level of polish players deserve.”Meanwhile, Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, from Uncharted creator Amy Hennig, has also been delayed “beyond early 2026.” Skydance Games says the ambitious project needs more time to fully realize its vision.To end the episode on a positive note, Sebastion spotlights Megabonk, a chaotic and endlessly replayable roguelike that’s giving Vampire Survivors serious competition. It’s got humor, weird upgrades, meme energy, and enough “just one more run” energy to keep you hooked all night.Listen to the full episode to hear Sebastion’s takes on the delays, what they mean for gamers, and why Megabonk might be your next addiction.

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