Episodes

  • Nintendo India Switch Launch Plans, Rockstar GTA 6 Crunch and the Mixtape "Controversy"

    Nintendo India Switch Launch Plans, Rockstar GTA 6 Crunch and the Mixtape "Controversy"
    May 13 2026
    Another week, another reason for GTA 6 to be in the news cycle. And like every generational pairing, be it peanut butter and chocolate, America and oil, or AI and circular funding, a Rockstar-developed game and crunch is one you can definitely count on. In this episode of the Day Zero podcast we discuss rumours of Rockstar’s India team crunching to meet the GTA 6 release date along with taking an “insider” to task for confusing a company with a long history of mismanagement as an “Indian work culture issue”.Along with this we talk about Nintendo’s imminent India arrival. Potential timelines, release dates, prices, and what to expect (spoiler: not the Nintendo Switch 2 it seems) are all laid bare complete with our thoughts on the company’s belated India return.Also, we weigh in on the controversy surrounding Mixtape, the latest game from indie publishing powerhouse Annapurna Interactive. Like most things in life, this too seems exaggerated by a set of grifters.Finally we round things off with what we’ve been playing this week, namely: Forza Horizon 6, Pragmata, Saros, and Mixtape. Time stamps as follows:Introduction and Overview* 00:00:11 – Overview of the episode’s main topics: GTA crunch, Nintendo’s India plans, and the Mixtape indie game controversy.GTA 6, Rockstar India, and Industry Crunch* 00:00:36 – Discussion begins regarding Glassdoor reviews of Rockstar Bengaluru alleging intense crunch (3am work hours).* 00:01:00 – Reaction to claims by “insider” Kiwi Talkz that crunch is simply “normal day-to-day work in India”.* 00:01:33 – Refutes the claim that extreme crunch is the standard across the Indian games industry.* 00:02:16 – Contextualising Rockstar’s history of crunch, specifically during the development of Red Dead Redemption 2.* 00:03:19 – Confirming that crunch is happening on GTA 6 and discussing how Rockstar has “exported” the problem to countries with less games journalism oversight.GTA 6 Release and PS5 Bundles* 00:04:37 – Discussion on the projected November release and a potential PS5 bundle.* 00:05:10 – Updates on PS5 supply issues in India and expected price hikes for the disc and digital versions.* 00:06:50 – Analyzing the “worst of both worlds” where US crunch culture meets Indian entertainment industry work habits.* 00:07:57 – Personal anecdotes about crunch in gaming journalism and the impact of the lack of specialized talent in India.Nintendo’s Official India Entry Plans* 00:10:02 – Introduction of the rumor regarding Nintendo officially launching in India.* 00:10:20 – Details on the planned launch: early next year at a price point of approximately 20,000 rupees.* 00:10:33 – Clarification that this launch is for the Switch 1, likely the base model, not the Switch 2.* 00:11:14 – Discussion on distribution, with Redington named as the likely partner.* 00:12:12 – Targeted launch window of February or March and details on the Nintendo India team.* 00:13:06 – Discussion on the “weird decision” to launch a 10-year-old console and how it compares to current grey market prices.* 00:15:44 – The challenge of brand awareness in India and how consumers want to be treated as “first-class citizens” regarding global release dates.* 00:17:38 – The hurdle of piracy and the potential “big win” for Nintendo’s IP like Pokemon and Zelda.The Mixtape “Controversy” and Online Discourse* 00:18:16 – Transition to discussing the indie game Mixtape.* 00:18:50 – Contrasting the game’s critical acclaim (including 10/10 scores) with the “culture war” attacks it has faced online.* 00:19:59 – Evidence of review bombing on Steam and the debate over “games as art” vs. traditional gameplay.* 00:22:33 – Personal impressions of the game.* 00:24:43 – Addressing the controversy surrounding Annapurna’s ownership and their connection to AI and surveillance.* 00:27:52 – Analysing the backlash to the IGN 10/10 review and the general misunderstanding of how media outlets review games.* 00:30:09 – Discussion on the harassment of journalists, such as Gene Park, following positive coverage of the game.What We’re Playing This Week* 00:31:04 – Rahul discusses finishing Pragmata, noting its short length and Resident Evil-style progression.* 00:32:25 – Rahul shares his experience with Saros, comparing its difficulty and accessibility to Returnal.* 00:34:41 – Rishi discusses playing Forza Horizon 6 on PC and checking out Mixtape and Saros.Outro* 00:35:22 – Social media handles and sign-off.This is the Day Zero podcast. Every week we break 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 This is a public episode. ...
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    36 mins
  • Saros PS5 Review, Valve's $100 Steam Controller, and May's Massive Game Releases

    Saros PS5 Review, Valve's $100 Steam Controller, and May's Massive Game Releases
    May 6 2026
    Another week, another episode. This time we’re focusing on Valve’s latest hardware drop: the new Steam Controller. It’s been a hot minute since the House Gaben built released its first-generation Steam Controller, only to be discontinued four years later. Fast-forward to now and the company’s second stab at it might be its most promising yet. We also discuss how you could get your hands on it if you aren’t living in a market Valve is selling the new Steam Controller in like India.Along with this, we discuss PS5 exclusive Saros’ gameplay chops and the early commercial response to it thus far, May Madness — our term for the veritable deluge of gaming goodness hitting shelves digital and physical this month such as 007 First Light, Dead as Disco, Thick as Thieves, and Forza Horizon 6, and Xbox’s revenue from games making it to the PS5 courtesy Alinea Analytics.Finally, we round off the episode with what we’ve been playing this week. Namely Crimson Desert, Pragmata, and Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred. Time stamps as follows:Introduction and Overview* (00:00:00): High-level overview of topics: Steam Controller, Saros, and the May Madness of game releases.Valve’s New Steam Controller* (00:00:31): Initial impressions and discussion of the $100 price tag.* (00:01:21): Hardware features, including dual trackpads and new TMR analog sticks to reduce stick drift.* (00:01:46): Discussion on software limitations, specifically that it only works natively through Steam without workarounds.* (00:03:34): Challenges of buying Valve hardware to India, including grey market imports and lack of official distribution.* (00:09:03): Speculation on future “Steam Machines” from third-party manufacturers like Asus and HP.Saros Deep Dive* (00:11:01): Introduction to Saros, the spiritual successor to Returnal by Housemarque.* (00:11:53): Impressions of the Saros haptic feedback and sound design on the DualSense controller.* (00:12:40): Comparison to other roguelikes like Hades regarding permanent progression and difficulty.* (00:13:30): Breakdown of new gameplay mechanics: shields, movement speed, and the Eclipse risk/reward loop.* (00:18:10): Analysis of the game’s sales performance and marketing in India,.Every Video Game You Should Care About in May 2026* (00:19:21): Overview of the major titles releasing in May.* (00:20:22): Forza Horizon 6: Discussion on its Day 1 release on PS5.* (00:20:44): Lego Batman: How it differs from the Arkham series with a populated open-world Gotham.* (00:22:16): Thick as Thieves: Excitement for the new game from immersive sim veteran Warren Spector.* (00:23:06): Dead as Disco: A viral rhythm-based brawler entering early access.* (00:23:38): Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Discussion on the upcoming Switch port.* (00:25:11): Other notable mentions: Zero Parades for Dead Spies, Paralives, and Romestead.Xbox Game Sales on PS5* (00:25:40): Breakdown of sales data from Alinea Analytics, highlighting that Forza Horizon 5 has sold 5.8 million units on PlayStation.* (00:26:49): The total gross revenue for the 13 analyzed titles reaching $667 million.What We’re Playing This Week* (00:28:01): Rahul’s progress in Pragmata via GeForce Now.* (00:28:20): Updates on Crimson Desert and its frequent patching.* (00:29:55): Rishi’s thoughts on Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and its “MCU-style” story.Closing and Giveaway* (00:31:21): Housekeeping and announcement of the Marathon Controller winner.* (00:31:41): Social media handles and sign-off.This is Day Zero, a podcast is 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com
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    32 mins
  • Is PlayStation Turning Into Xbox With Its DRM Screw Ups?

    Is PlayStation Turning Into Xbox With Its DRM Screw Ups?
    Apr 29 2026
    Xbox promises a return to form with a chatty new memo while PlayStation’s silence suggests a heel turn no one wanted or asked for. All while Pragmata and Saros have us feeling that video games, unlike the industry that makes them, are alright actually.It’s been a loaded week in the games business and we’re here to break it all down. Unlike most of our usual episodes that focus on a single topic, there’s a lot to unpack this time around so we got timestamps for your perusal.Xbox Strategy — or Lack Thereof* 00:01:00 – The Xbox memo: We break down Asha Sharma’s leaked-and-then-revealed memo on the future of Xbox.* 00:02:08 – The “Northstar” metric: Xbox identifies daily active players as their primary metric for success. Not the first time engagement became a cornerstone metric. Some of us are old enough to remember it first introduced in 2015.* 00:03:08 – Hardware priorities: Xbox Series X|S plans ahead of a Project Helix launch.* 00:04:37 – Game Pass price drops: Apparent efforts to lower the cost of Xbox Game Pass and why it’s a bizarre idea at this point.* 00:06:09 – Global distribution critique: We berate the Xbox’s lack of hardware availability in India, Asia, and the Middle East amidst a memo that calls for more console hardware focus.* 00:08:52 – Feature Deprecation: Criticism over the removal of Xbox social features like Clubs.* 00:10:00 – Mobile storefront rumours: Discussion on potential plans for a mobile APK storefront.* 00:10:53 – State of Halo: Analysis of the management and current status of the Halo franchise.* 00:12:31 – Personal Xbox Series X experiences: Rishi explains why he has owned three different Xbox Series X consoles this generation.* 00:14:50 – Next-Gen OEM partnerships: Rumours regarding third-party partners like ASUS manufacturing Helix-based hardware.* 00:17:22 – Corporate culture: It’s wild how much heavy-lifting the memo does in terms of making Xbox cosplay as a startup rather than a subsidiary of a megacorp.* 00:19:39 – Call of Duty profitability: We parse through the strategic decision to remove Call of Duty from Game Pass to protect retail sales.PS5 DRM and What Could Happen Next* 00:31:52 – PS5 DRM: Details on the 30-day login requirement for digital purchases on PS4 and PS5.* 00:36:34 – The Crew 2 offline mode: Ubisoft’s response to the Stop Killing Games community initiative via the EU regarding live service games.Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Everything We Know So Far* 00:37:39 – Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Resynced: Official announcement and details of the remake.* 00:40:54 – Assassin’s Creed roadmap: Discussion on Shadows, Hexe, and the rumored AC1 remake.* 00:43:16 – Gameplay overhaul: Improvements to stealth, tailing missions, and ship customisation.* 00:45:38 – Pricing & Indian retail: Details on the 4,999 INR price point and the legitimacy of the steelbook offer at Games The Shop.Pragmata, Saros, and the End* 00:47:37 – Pragmata: Rahul discusses playing Capcom’s Pragmata via GeForce Now.* 00:50:15 – Saros: Rishi reviews Housemarque’s spiritual successor to Returnal, featuring actor Rahul Kohli.* 00:52:48 – Saros mechanics: A look at the laser-focused gameplay and DualSense haptic feedback.* 00:57:05 – Outro & Giveaway: Information on the Marathon controller giveaway and closing out the podcast.Welcome to Day Zero. This podcast is 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com
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    58 mins
  • Is Nvidia’s GeForce Now India Launch the Right Compromise—or Just More Friction? We Review.

    Is Nvidia’s GeForce Now India Launch the Right Compromise—or Just More Friction? We Review.
    Apr 21 2026

    After a solid press event a few months ago, Nvidia finally lifted the lid on its GeForce Now streaming service India release. Following a couple of weeks of media previews, players can check it out from April 16 onwards in early access.

    In this episode of the Day Zero Podcast, we discuss our thoughts on GeForce Now after trying it out pre-release across a host of devices ranging from TVs to Steam Decks and a smartphone or two. We also discuss the state of the games business in India what with resurgent PS5 and Nintendo Switch (yes, Switch, not Switch 2) sales.

    Furthermore, we also address the RTX 5090-sized elephant in the room — if renting high-speed, performant servers to stream video games is all GeForce Now is, and if you still have to buy your own games — who is it really for in a market that’s dominated by free-to-play mobile games and value-conscious spenders?

    Finally, we discuss what we’ve been playing this week, including Pragmata, Dosa Divas, and to no one’s surprise, Starfield.

    This is Day Zero. It is a podcast on video games breaking down the bytes and bits behind the decisions that make and break the world’s greatest entertainment industry. Day Zero is hosted by Rahul Majumdar and Rishi Alwani.

    We’d love to hear your objectively good takes — they surely can’t be worse than some of ours. Find us with yours at the handles below:

    * Twitter/X - @RishiAlwani

    * Threads - @rishi.alwani

    * Instagram - @rishi.alwani

    * Twitter/X - @darthrahul

    * Threads - @darthrahul

    * Instagram - @darthrahul



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com
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    41 mins
  • Will There Be a GTA 6 Release Date Delay After the ShinyHunters Hack?

    Will There Be a GTA 6 Release Date Delay After the ShinyHunters Hack?
    Apr 14 2026

    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

    * Instagram - @rishi.alwani

    * Twitter/X - @darthrahul

    * Threads - @darthrahul

    * Instagram - @darthrahul



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com
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    45 mins
  • Amidst a PS5 Price Hike, Could Fishbowl Be the PlayStation India Hero Project’s First Big Hit?

    Amidst a PS5 Price Hike, Could Fishbowl Be the PlayStation India Hero Project’s First Big Hit?
    Mar 30 2026

    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



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com
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    45 mins
  • Everything Nvidia Got Wrong With Its Big DLSS 5 AI Slop Reveal

    Everything Nvidia Got Wrong With Its Big DLSS 5 AI Slop Reveal
    Mar 24 2026

    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



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com
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    45 mins
  • Is Xbox Speedrunning an Exit With Project Helix?

    Is Xbox Speedrunning an Exit With Project Helix?
    Mar 17 2026

    Halo and Destiny hitmaker Bungie released Marathon earlier this month. It’s the legendary studio’s first game following Sony splurging $3.6 billion to acquire it. While there’s a lot of things in this extraction shooter that make it compelling to play, there’s also a lot of friction that make it impenetrable for some. And while certain sections of the internet might croon that it’s Concord 2.0 (probably the same lot fetishising Nvidia’s DLSS 5), Marathon’s actually a pretty solid game. We explain why in the first half of the Day Zero Podcast. Oh, and if you want to win a limited edition Marathon DualSense controller, subscribe to us on Substack if you haven’t already. Winner to be announced in two weeks.

    After that we talk about Microsoft’s new Xbox moves or lack thereof. At GDC 2026 Xbox revealed more details on Project Helix, the next iteration of its consoles. While a slew of technical information was made public, there was little in the way of innovation spoken and even less in terms of Xbox Game Pass, likely lending credence to the deprioritisation of a service some have referred to as ‘Welfare Pass’.

    Furthermore, the way forward seems to indicate lip service in terms of video games preservation rather than an earnest attempt at it.

    Finally we discuss Xbox’s duality in terms of keeping AI away from game development but still shoehorning it into Xbox Series X|S with Copilot coming in an update to the consoles.

    This is Day Zero. It 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



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dayzeromedia.substack.com
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    1 hr