Episode 20 of the Day Zero podcast is out. As the title suggests, we break down what to expect from the ShinyHunters hack of GTA 6 developer Rockstar. Keep in mind that this was recorded on April 12, a day before the hackers leaked details early. That said we parse what you can expect in the aftermath of this reveal and ponder how a company with more money than god can’t get its cybersecurity in order (what with this being the second known major hack since 2022).

Along with this we also discuss friend of the podcast Kirk McKeand’s awesome interview with industry legend and Bethesda game deliverer of sick day notes Pete Hines, which pretty much confirms what we already know when mega-corps try to make sense of video games.

Apart from this, we get into the weeds of one of the more ridiculous pricing moves for a video game in India — 007 First Light courtesy of IO — and make the argument for not buying anything from the publisher given its focus on live services.

Finally, we also talk about what we’ve been playing this week, namely the excellent Dosa Divas and the not so excellent Starfield to name a few.

The Day Zero podcast breaks down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. It’s run by Rahul Majumdar and Rishi Alwani.

Comments? Criticisms? Industry tips? Leather jackets? You can find us at the following handles to discuss all of that and then some:

* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani

* Threads - @rishi.alwani

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* Twitter/X - @darthrahul

* Threads - @darthrahul

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With the PS5 getting a much-maligned price hike this week, we discuss what to expect from PlayStation in terms of its impact on a potential PS5 Pro India launch and more importantly, how much more you could pay for a PS5 if you haven’t got one already.

Along with this, we also discuss the company’s legacy of making games for India from India (or in the case of Singstar Bollywood, London).

Before that though, we dig deep into Fishbowl. Developed by Goa-based imissmyfriends.studio, it’s a cosy slice-of-life game that has a surprising focus on details, a deceptively hypnotic gameplay loop, and an interesting story to boot.

However there’s more to it, as the first game of the PlayStation India Hero Project — Sony’s latest attempt at curating the best Indian game developers have to offer — it’ll likely set a standard by which others will be judged. Without spoiling much, Fishbowl sets the bar high enough.

Oh and, if you’re reading this the day it goes live and you want to win a limited edition Marathon DualSense controller, subscribe to us on Substack if you haven’t already. Winner to be announced on the next podcast.

Finally, we discuss what we’ve playing this week and to no one’s surprise it involves a lot of crimson — in terms of deserts and demon blood.

This is the Day Zero podcast. breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:

* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani

* Threads - @rishi.alwani

* Instagram - @rishi.alwani

* Twitter/X - @darthrahul

* Threads - @darthrahul

* Instagram - @darthrahul

AI slop and its proponents can’t stop clinging to an already hollowed-out games industry and this time it’s courtesy of Nvidia. By now the megacorp’s AI piss filter reveal or “DLSS 5”as its officially known has been universally panned to the point where our favourite leather clad CEO Jensen had to claim to hate AI slop after calling his audience wrong, all while the company has admitted that the level of control developers have isn’t as granular as it could be.

In this episode of Day Zero we discuss everything wrong with Nvidia’s DLSS 5 reveal. From the games chosen to how it was framed and even the amusingly hilarious attempts at astroturfing to boot. Suffice to say, we had opinions aplenty.

And for game developers, publishers, and industry execs listening, we also discuss if you should disclose if AI was used in making your game — or not. Spoiler alert: you should to understand why and how: we got you covered from 32:54 onwards.

Welcome to Day Zero. This is a podcast about video games breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Have a request? Hot take? Insider tip? Reach us at the handles mentioned below:

* Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani

* Threads - @rishi.alwani

* Instagram - @rishi.alwani

* Twitter/X - @darthrahul

* Threads - @darthrahul

* Instagram - @darthrahul