The GameDiscoverCo Show
The GameDiscoverCo Show explores how PC and console games gain popularity and succeed in a crowded market. Hosted by GameDiscoverCo founder Simon Carless and Polygon co-founder Chris Plante, each weekly episode covers the latest trends in game platforms, storefronts, and discovery. The show serves as a companion to the GameDiscoverCo newsletter, offering analysis and commentary on what makes games take off.
Episodes
How long should a game wait to enter PlayStation Plus?
We talk about Helldivers 2 finally making it onto Sony's console subscription service, the state of paid mods/UGC in 2026, how AI interfaces may (or may not!) change how people pick out their media, and discuss which game showcase might be right for devs.
Join Simon Carless & Chris Plante in the latest GameDiscoverCo Show as they look at these questions and more. Mentioned in this episode:
- PlayS
Is Miyamoto right: console specs don't matter?
We talk about Roblox's market-disappointing financial results, how to think about Steam 1.0 releases vs. Early Access, Shigeru Miyamoto's recent comments on console tech specs being less relevant, and get into Simon's 30 years (!) in the game biz.
Join Simon Carless & Chris Plante in the latest GameDiscoverCo Show as they look at these questions and more. Mentioned in this episode:
- Roblox’s res
Too many 'compulsion loops' in PC games?
We talk about whether your target PC/console device, technically, should always be the PC, chat about vertical video taking over the Internet, the rise of 'compulsion loops' in games, and analyze new Steam demo hit Guildrun.
Mentioned in this episode of the GameDiscoverCo Show:
- Simon Carless on Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls & the rise of PC games as the 'lead' platform for tech: https://www.link
Do Steam player reviews matter for your game?
We talk about GDCo's survey around how Steam fans treat player review when they buy games. Also: an academic's view on the 'deprofessionalization' of games, Gamescom 2026's role in the industry, and improvements to Steam gifting and wishlist categorizing.
How much AI do players want in their games?
We talk about GDCo’s recent player survey of AI in games, whether Steam refunds for short games are bad news & how the Apple Arcade catalog has settled in over time. Plus, we discuss where Meccha Chamelon fits in the Steam ecosystem.
Should devs center their plans on Next Fest?
How does Steam Machine's pricing reflect the new reality of hardware costs? What's the state of physical video game sales in the U.S. in 2026? And what is Next Fest's relative importance for marketing your game?
Summer Game Fest: worth it for devs?
In a pilot episode, Simon & Chris talk about Summer Game Fest & its discovery ramifications for devs, as well as GTA VI's release, Epic's State Of Unreal showcase and UK social media-related legislation that may affect games.
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