app03 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:05:12 +0000 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Sorgatron Media Master Feed - Episodes Tagged with “Dolly Parton” https://sorgatronmedia.fireside.fm/tags/dolly%20parton Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Sorgatron Media is producing a series of Podcasts in the Entertainment, Music, and Technology genres. This is a feed of everything we do on a weekly basis for an all inclusive collection. Includes: Wrestling Mayhem Show, AwesomeCast, Rambling Movie Minute, Boss Battle, Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, S'eclairer Chatterbox, Good Morning, WWE RAW Wraup Up, Midweek War, Wrestling Game Show and Specials! en-us episodic Sorgatron Media Sorgatron Media is producing a series of Podcasts in the Entertainment, Music, and Technology genres. This is a feed of everything we do on a weekly basis for an all inclusive collection. Includes: Wrestling Mayhem Show, AwesomeCast, Rambling Movie Minute, Boss Battle, Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, S'eclairer Chatterbox, Good Morning, WWE RAW Wraup Up, Midweek War, Wrestling Game Show and Specials! no Sorgatron Media mike@sorgatronmedia.com AwesomeCast 794: Xbox Discs Go Digital, Gamescom’s AI Problem, $100K Keyboards & Retro Tech https://sorgatronmedia.fireside.fm/39187 f7560395-ea36-41db-8b9e-e6084957d9a4 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400 Sorgatron Media full Sorgatron Media Xbox is finding a new way to bridge physical and digital gaming, Gamescom 2026 has restarted the debate over generative AI in game development, and somehow we’ve found a keyboard that costs around $100,000. Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar discuss Xbox’s Discs to Digital program and what it could mean for used games, delisted titles and game preservation. ChachiSays looks at AI use in Gamescom titles and the continuing decline of physical game sales. Katie explores Roku City’s tributes to Dolly Parton, Tim Curry and Peter Cullen, while Dave dives into the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Plus: LEGO Advent Calendars arrive early, Brütal Legend honors Tim Curry with 666 minutes of free gaming, the bizarre Donkey Kong Country CGI cartoon returns to our lives, the Nintendo Switch bargain bin gets weird, Katie labels a slow USB-C charger, Dave finds luxury keyboards with unbelievable prices, and a Cyberpunk-themed Commodore 64 sends us back into retro-computing memories. Hosted by Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar. 1:03:48 no <p>How do you preserve physical video games in a world increasingly designed around downloads? How much would you pay for a really good keyboard? And what exactly happens when you sort the Nintendo Switch store from cheapest to most expensive?</p> <p>Those questions—and several much stranger ones—come up on AwesomeCast 794 with Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar.</p> <h2>Xbox Finds a New Use for the Game Disc</h2> <p>One of the episode’s biggest discussions centers on Microsoft’s <strong>Xbox Discs to Digital</strong> initiative.</p> <p>The concept offers an interesting middle ground between physical and digital ownership. A supported Xbox disc can be authenticated and connected to a player’s digital library, potentially giving players digital access while the disc itself continues to function as the transferable proof of ownership.</p> <p>That last part is important. If the disc is sold and authenticated by somebody else, the digital access moves with it.</p> <p>For Sorg, who has stacks of Xbox One games and a console with a failed optical drive, this could solve a very practical problem. It also opens possibilities for finding inexpensive used Xbox games at stores such as GameStop and turning them into accessible digital titles.</p> <p>There are still questions surrounding Xbox 360 compatibility, licensing, sports games, delisted games and publisher participation, but it is a fascinating attempt to bridge two very different eras of game ownership.</p> <p><a href="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/08/26/your-discs-now-also-digital/?ocid=Platform_soc_omc_xbo_fb_Photo_lrn_8.26.2" rel="nofollow noopener">https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/08/26/your-discs-now-also-digital/?ocid=Platform_soc_omc_xbo_fb_Photo_lrn_8.26.2</a></p> <h2>Gamers Say They Want Physical Games. Are They Buying Them?</h2> <p>That question carries directly into this week’s <strong>ChachiSays Video Game Minute</strong>.</p> <p>Chachi points to figures showing U.S. spending on physical video games falling to levels not seen since physical-game statistics began being tracked in 1995. Nintendo represented a sizable portion of the remaining physical market.</p> <p>The contradiction is hard to ignore: gamers regularly criticize publishers for abandoning physical media, but those products need enough buyers to justify continuing to manufacture and distribute them.</p> <p><a href="https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/us-console-sales-fall-39-percent-in-july-as-memory-costs-push-average-price-to-542" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/us-console-sales-fall-39-percent-in-july-as-memory-costs-push-average-price-to-542</a></p> <h2>Generative AI Comes to Gamescom</h2> <p>Chachi also discusses reports of generative AI being used during development of multiple titles connected to Gamescom 2026.</p> <p>The larger concern is not simply whether AI tools exist inside game development. The segment focuses on how companies disclose that use, what work the systems replace, and whether developers are being transparent with their audiences.</p> <p>Project Zeta, Aion 2, Train Sim World 7, Crimson Desert and Crazy Taxi: World Tour are among the games brought up during the discussion.</p> <p><a href="https://kotaku.com/opening-night-live-2026-genai-slop-games-geoff-keighley-2000728477" rel="nofollow noopener">https://kotaku.com/opening-night-live-2026-genai-slop-games-geoff-keighley-2000728477</a></p> <h2>Roku City Quietly Remembers Three Entertainment Icons</h2> <p>Katie highlights a much more thoughtful use of technology: the little visual Easter eggs hidden inside <strong>Roku City</strong>.</p> <p>The screensaver incorporated imagery referencing Dolly Parton and Tim Curry along with an Optimus Prime-inspired tribute to Peter Cullen.</p> <p>That leads the crew into memories of Cullen’s massive voice-acting career and the strange experience of realizing, years later, just how many familiar childhood characters were voiced by the same small group of performers.</p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcrPR8alYG3/?img_index=1" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.instagram.com/p/DcrPR8alYG3/?img_index=1</a></p> <h2>From Hubble to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope</h2> <p>Dave’s Awesome History segment turns toward NASA and astronomer <strong>Nancy Grace Roman</strong>.</p> <p>Roman played an important role in pushing space-based astronomy forward, helping lay the groundwork for what ultimately became the Hubble Space Telescope.</p> <p>The telescope carrying her name represents another enormous leap in what astronomers can observe. The hosts discuss its much wider field of view, the search for exoplanets, dark matter and dark energy, as well as the unusual orbital environments used by major observatories.</p> <p><a href="https://www.planetary.org/articles/the-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-launch" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.planetary.org/articles/the-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-launch</a></p> <h2>It's Already LEGO Advent Calendar Season</h2> <p>Katie has an annual public-service announcement: <strong>if you want a particular Advent Calendar, buy it when you see it.</strong></p> <p>LEGO’s 2026 calendars are already appearing, including traditional Christmas offerings alongside Star Wars, Marvel and Disney sets.</p> <p>Waiting until December is how you end up frantically checking every store in town for the one calendar somebody decided they absolutely had to have.</p> <p><a href="https://www.lego.com/en-us/search?q=advent%20calendar%202026&amp;suggestion=true" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.lego.com/en-us/search?q=advent%20calendar%202026&amp;suggestion=true</a></p> <h2>The $100,000 Keyboard</h2> <p>Dave then discovers a corner of technology that makes even premium mechanical keyboards look inexpensive.</p> <p>A social video begins with keyboards priced in the hundreds of dollars, moves into models costing thousands, and eventually reaches one sitting around the <strong>$100,000 mark</strong>.</p> <p>At that point, calling something a “computer accessory” may no longer adequately explain what is happening.</p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1593262308558803" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.facebook.com/reel/1593262308558803</a></p> <h2>Brütal Legend Honors Tim Curry for 666 Minutes</h2> <p>Double Fine found an extremely appropriate way to honor Tim Curry by making <strong>Brütal Legend free for 666 minutes</strong>.</p> <p>The Xbox 360-era heavy-metal adventure stars Jack Black and features Curry among its memorable cast.</p> <p>Sorg recently returned to the game and found that, despite showing its age in places, it remains surprisingly enjoyable.</p> <p><a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/double-fine-productions-makes-brutal-legend-free-for-666-minutes-to-honor-tim-curry?link_source=ta_first_comment&amp;taid=6a905803b9a113000189638d&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=facebook" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.ign.com/articles/double-fine-productions-makes-brutal-legend-free-for-666-minutes-to-honor-tim-curry?link_source=ta_first_comment&amp;taid=6a905803b9a113000189638d&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=facebook</a></p> <h2>Donkey Kong Country: CGI From Another Time</h2> <p>Speaking of things that have aged differently, Sorg rediscovers the computer-animated <strong>Donkey Kong Country television series</strong> from the late 1990s.</p> <p>The show provides an incredible time capsule of early television CGI: stiff animation, questionable lip synchronization and character models that can occasionally drift into nightmare territory.</p> <p>And yet there is something fascinating about seeing what creators were able to accomplish with 1990s rendering technology.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWpI4vahfIY" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWpI4vahfIY</a></p> <h2>Sort the Nintendo eShop From Cheap to Expensive. You Have Been Warned.</h2> <p>There is another kind of digital archaeology available right now.</p> <p>Go to the Nintendo Switch store. Sort everything from <strong>lowest price to highest</strong>. Start scrolling.</p> <p>The result is a journey through inexpensive retro games, indie releases, zombie games, cat games, simulators, dating games, suspiciously AI-looking artwork and enough shovelware to keep the AwesomeCast crew entertained far longer than expected.</p> <p>There are legitimate bargains hiding in the pile—but finding them is part of the adventure.</p> <p><a href="https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/sales-and-deals/#show=0&amp;p=1&amp;sort=pa&amp;f=priceRangeFilter&amp;priceRangeFilter=%240+-+%244.99" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/sales-and-deals/#show=0&amp;p=1&amp;sort=pa&amp;f=priceRangeFilter&amp;priceRangeFilter=%240+-+%244.99</a></p> <h2>Commodore 64 Meets Cyberpunk</h2> <p>The episode’s final major retro-tech rabbit hole comes courtesy of a <strong>Cyberpunk-themed Commodore 64</strong>.</p> <p>The unusual crossover sends Katie and Dave back into memories of the original beige Commodore machines, while Dave recalls using GEOS for word processing and schoolwork long before the modern Windows experience became standard.</p> <p><a href="https://commodore.net/store/commodore64/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://commodore.net/store/commodore64/</a></p> <h2>Plus: Giant Medals, Slow USB-C Cables and Video Game Wrestling</h2> <p>Dave also shows off the giant magnetic medals earned through the Pro Football Hall of Fame virtual race series.</p> <p><a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Canton/HOFRaceSeries" rel="nofollow noopener">https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Canton/HOFRaceSeries</a></p> <p>Katie introduces what may become a recurring feature, <strong>“What Is Katie Labeling Now?”</strong>, after discovering one of her USB-C cables was charging her laptop dramatically slower than the others.</p> <p>And before any of that, the crew revisits Sorgstock and its real-life video game wrestling match, where the performers recreated all of the awkward movement, button mashing, missed attacks and controller confusion of playing a wrestling game when nobody remembers the controls.</p> <p>From the future of game ownership to 1980s computers and $100,000 keyboards, AwesomeCast 794 once again proves there is always something wonderfully strange happening in technology. </p> Sorg, Katie Dudas, Dave Podnar, technology podcast, tech news, Pittsburgh podcast, Xbox, Xbox Discs to Digital, physical video games, physical media, game preservation, Gamescom 2026, generative AI, AI in video games, ChachiSays Video Game Minute, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo eShop, Nintendo Switch sale, Commodore 64, Cyberpunk, retro computing, LEGO Advent Calendar 2026, Roku City, Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, Peter Cullen, Brütal Legend, Double Fine, Donkey Kong Country, retro gaming, Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, NASA, exoplanets, Pro Football Hall of Fame, virtual races, mechanical keyboards, luxury keyboards, USB-C cables, cable management, Sorgstock How do you preserve physical video games in a world increasingly designed around downloads? How much would you pay for a really good keyboard? And what exactly happens when you sort the Nintendo Switch store from cheapest to most expensive?

Those questions—and several much stranger ones—come up on AwesomeCast 794 with Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar.

Xbox Finds a New Use for the Game Disc

One of the episode’s biggest discussions centers on Microsoft’s Xbox Discs to Digital initiative.

The concept offers an interesting middle ground between physical and digital ownership. A supported Xbox disc can be authenticated and connected to a player’s digital library, potentially giving players digital access while the disc itself continues to function as the transferable proof of ownership.

That last part is important. If the disc is sold and authenticated by somebody else, the digital access moves with it.

For Sorg, who has stacks of Xbox One games and a console with a failed optical drive, this could solve a very practical problem. It also opens possibilities for finding inexpensive used Xbox games at stores such as GameStop and turning them into accessible digital titles.

There are still questions surrounding Xbox 360 compatibility, licensing, sports games, delisted games and publisher participation, but it is a fascinating attempt to bridge two very different eras of game ownership.

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/08/26/your-discs-now-also-digital/?ocid=Platform_soc_omc_xbo_fb_Photo_lrn_8.26.2

Gamers Say They Want Physical Games. Are They Buying Them?

That question carries directly into this week’s ChachiSays Video Game Minute.

Chachi points to figures showing U.S. spending on physical video games falling to levels not seen since physical-game statistics began being tracked in 1995. Nintendo represented a sizable portion of the remaining physical market.

The contradiction is hard to ignore: gamers regularly criticize publishers for abandoning physical media, but those products need enough buyers to justify continuing to manufacture and distribute them.

https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/us-console-sales-fall-39-percent-in-july-as-memory-costs-push-average-price-to-542

Generative AI Comes to Gamescom

Chachi also discusses reports of generative AI being used during development of multiple titles connected to Gamescom 2026.

The larger concern is not simply whether AI tools exist inside game development. The segment focuses on how companies disclose that use, what work the systems replace, and whether developers are being transparent with their audiences.

Project Zeta, Aion 2, Train Sim World 7, Crimson Desert and Crazy Taxi: World Tour are among the games brought up during the discussion.

https://kotaku.com/opening-night-live-2026-genai-slop-games-geoff-keighley-2000728477

Roku City Quietly Remembers Three Entertainment Icons

Katie highlights a much more thoughtful use of technology: the little visual Easter eggs hidden inside Roku City.

The screensaver incorporated imagery referencing Dolly Parton and Tim Curry along with an Optimus Prime-inspired tribute to Peter Cullen.

That leads the crew into memories of Cullen’s massive voice-acting career and the strange experience of realizing, years later, just how many familiar childhood characters were voiced by the same small group of performers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcrPR8alYG3/?img_index=1

From Hubble to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Dave’s Awesome History segment turns toward NASA and astronomer Nancy Grace Roman.

Roman played an important role in pushing space-based astronomy forward, helping lay the groundwork for what ultimately became the Hubble Space Telescope.

The telescope carrying her name represents another enormous leap in what astronomers can observe. The hosts discuss its much wider field of view, the search for exoplanets, dark matter and dark energy, as well as the unusual orbital environments used by major observatories.

https://www.planetary.org/articles/the-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-launch

It's Already LEGO Advent Calendar Season

Katie has an annual public-service announcement: if you want a particular Advent Calendar, buy it when you see it.

LEGO’s 2026 calendars are already appearing, including traditional Christmas offerings alongside Star Wars, Marvel and Disney sets.

Waiting until December is how you end up frantically checking every store in town for the one calendar somebody decided they absolutely had to have.

https://www.lego.com/en-us/search?q=advent%20calendar%202026&suggestion=true

The $100,000 Keyboard

Dave then discovers a corner of technology that makes even premium mechanical keyboards look inexpensive.

A social video begins with keyboards priced in the hundreds of dollars, moves into models costing thousands, and eventually reaches one sitting around the $100,000 mark.

At that point, calling something a “computer accessory” may no longer adequately explain what is happening.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1593262308558803

Brütal Legend Honors Tim Curry for 666 Minutes

Double Fine found an extremely appropriate way to honor Tim Curry by making Brütal Legend free for 666 minutes.

The Xbox 360-era heavy-metal adventure stars Jack Black and features Curry among its memorable cast.

Sorg recently returned to the game and found that, despite showing its age in places, it remains surprisingly enjoyable.

https://www.ign.com/articles/double-fine-productions-makes-brutal-legend-free-for-666-minutes-to-honor-tim-curry?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a905803b9a113000189638d&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook

Donkey Kong Country: CGI From Another Time

Speaking of things that have aged differently, Sorg rediscovers the computer-animated Donkey Kong Country television series from the late 1990s.

The show provides an incredible time capsule of early television CGI: stiff animation, questionable lip synchronization and character models that can occasionally drift into nightmare territory.

And yet there is something fascinating about seeing what creators were able to accomplish with 1990s rendering technology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWpI4vahfIY

Sort the Nintendo eShop From Cheap to Expensive. You Have Been Warned.

There is another kind of digital archaeology available right now.

Go to the Nintendo Switch store. Sort everything from lowest price to highest. Start scrolling.

The result is a journey through inexpensive retro games, indie releases, zombie games, cat games, simulators, dating games, suspiciously AI-looking artwork and enough shovelware to keep the AwesomeCast crew entertained far longer than expected.

There are legitimate bargains hiding in the pile—but finding them is part of the adventure.

https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/sales-and-deals/#show=0&p=1&sort=pa&f=priceRangeFilter&priceRangeFilter=%240+-+%244.99

Commodore 64 Meets Cyberpunk

The episode’s final major retro-tech rabbit hole comes courtesy of a Cyberpunk-themed Commodore 64.

The unusual crossover sends Katie and Dave back into memories of the original beige Commodore machines, while Dave recalls using GEOS for word processing and schoolwork long before the modern Windows experience became standard.

https://commodore.net/store/commodore64/

Plus: Giant Medals, Slow USB-C Cables and Video Game Wrestling

Dave also shows off the giant magnetic medals earned through the Pro Football Hall of Fame virtual race series.

https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Canton/HOFRaceSeries

Katie introduces what may become a recurring feature, “What Is Katie Labeling Now?”, after discovering one of her USB-C cables was charging her laptop dramatically slower than the others.

And before any of that, the crew revisits Sorgstock and its real-life video game wrestling match, where the performers recreated all of the awkward movement, button mashing, missed attacks and controller confusion of playing a wrestling game when nobody remembers the controls.

From the future of game ownership to 1980s computers and $100,000 keyboards, AwesomeCast 794 once again proves there is always something wonderfully strange happening in technology.

]]> How do you preserve physical video games in a world increasingly designed around downloads? How much would you pay for a really good keyboard? And what exactly happens when you sort the Nintendo Switch store from cheapest to most expensive?

Those questions—and several much stranger ones—come up on AwesomeCast 794 with Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar.

Xbox Finds a New Use for the Game Disc

One of the episode’s biggest discussions centers on Microsoft’s Xbox Discs to Digital initiative.

The concept offers an interesting middle ground between physical and digital ownership. A supported Xbox disc can be authenticated and connected to a player’s digital library, potentially giving players digital access while the disc itself continues to function as the transferable proof of ownership.

That last part is important. If the disc is sold and authenticated by somebody else, the digital access moves with it.

For Sorg, who has stacks of Xbox One games and a console with a failed optical drive, this could solve a very practical problem. It also opens possibilities for finding inexpensive used Xbox games at stores such as GameStop and turning them into accessible digital titles.

There are still questions surrounding Xbox 360 compatibility, licensing, sports games, delisted games and publisher participation, but it is a fascinating attempt to bridge two very different eras of game ownership.

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/08/26/your-discs-now-also-digital/?ocid=Platform_soc_omc_xbo_fb_Photo_lrn_8.26.2

Gamers Say They Want Physical Games. Are They Buying Them?

That question carries directly into this week’s ChachiSays Video Game Minute.

Chachi points to figures showing U.S. spending on physical video games falling to levels not seen since physical-game statistics began being tracked in 1995. Nintendo represented a sizable portion of the remaining physical market.

The contradiction is hard to ignore: gamers regularly criticize publishers for abandoning physical media, but those products need enough buyers to justify continuing to manufacture and distribute them.

https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/us-console-sales-fall-39-percent-in-july-as-memory-costs-push-average-price-to-542

Generative AI Comes to Gamescom

Chachi also discusses reports of generative AI being used during development of multiple titles connected to Gamescom 2026.

The larger concern is not simply whether AI tools exist inside game development. The segment focuses on how companies disclose that use, what work the systems replace, and whether developers are being transparent with their audiences.

Project Zeta, Aion 2, Train Sim World 7, Crimson Desert and Crazy Taxi: World Tour are among the games brought up during the discussion.

https://kotaku.com/opening-night-live-2026-genai-slop-games-geoff-keighley-2000728477

Roku City Quietly Remembers Three Entertainment Icons

Katie highlights a much more thoughtful use of technology: the little visual Easter eggs hidden inside Roku City.

The screensaver incorporated imagery referencing Dolly Parton and Tim Curry along with an Optimus Prime-inspired tribute to Peter Cullen.

That leads the crew into memories of Cullen’s massive voice-acting career and the strange experience of realizing, years later, just how many familiar childhood characters were voiced by the same small group of performers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcrPR8alYG3/?img_index=1

From Hubble to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Dave’s Awesome History segment turns toward NASA and astronomer Nancy Grace Roman.

Roman played an important role in pushing space-based astronomy forward, helping lay the groundwork for what ultimately became the Hubble Space Telescope.

The telescope carrying her name represents another enormous leap in what astronomers can observe. The hosts discuss its much wider field of view, the search for exoplanets, dark matter and dark energy, as well as the unusual orbital environments used by major observatories.

https://www.planetary.org/articles/the-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-launch

It's Already LEGO Advent Calendar Season

Katie has an annual public-service announcement: if you want a particular Advent Calendar, buy it when you see it.

LEGO’s 2026 calendars are already appearing, including traditional Christmas offerings alongside Star Wars, Marvel and Disney sets.

Waiting until December is how you end up frantically checking every store in town for the one calendar somebody decided they absolutely had to have.

https://www.lego.com/en-us/search?q=advent%20calendar%202026&suggestion=true

The $100,000 Keyboard

Dave then discovers a corner of technology that makes even premium mechanical keyboards look inexpensive.

A social video begins with keyboards priced in the hundreds of dollars, moves into models costing thousands, and eventually reaches one sitting around the $100,000 mark.

At that point, calling something a “computer accessory” may no longer adequately explain what is happening.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1593262308558803

Brütal Legend Honors Tim Curry for 666 Minutes

Double Fine found an extremely appropriate way to honor Tim Curry by making Brütal Legend free for 666 minutes.

The Xbox 360-era heavy-metal adventure stars Jack Black and features Curry among its memorable cast.

Sorg recently returned to the game and found that, despite showing its age in places, it remains surprisingly enjoyable.

https://www.ign.com/articles/double-fine-productions-makes-brutal-legend-free-for-666-minutes-to-honor-tim-curry?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a905803b9a113000189638d&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook

Donkey Kong Country: CGI From Another Time

Speaking of things that have aged differently, Sorg rediscovers the computer-animated Donkey Kong Country television series from the late 1990s.

The show provides an incredible time capsule of early television CGI: stiff animation, questionable lip synchronization and character models that can occasionally drift into nightmare territory.

And yet there is something fascinating about seeing what creators were able to accomplish with 1990s rendering technology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWpI4vahfIY

Sort the Nintendo eShop From Cheap to Expensive. You Have Been Warned.

There is another kind of digital archaeology available right now.

Go to the Nintendo Switch store. Sort everything from lowest price to highest. Start scrolling.

The result is a journey through inexpensive retro games, indie releases, zombie games, cat games, simulators, dating games, suspiciously AI-looking artwork and enough shovelware to keep the AwesomeCast crew entertained far longer than expected.

There are legitimate bargains hiding in the pile—but finding them is part of the adventure.

https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/sales-and-deals/#show=0&p=1&sort=pa&f=priceRangeFilter&priceRangeFilter=%240+-+%244.99

Commodore 64 Meets Cyberpunk

The episode’s final major retro-tech rabbit hole comes courtesy of a Cyberpunk-themed Commodore 64.

The unusual crossover sends Katie and Dave back into memories of the original beige Commodore machines, while Dave recalls using GEOS for word processing and schoolwork long before the modern Windows experience became standard.

https://commodore.net/store/commodore64/

Plus: Giant Medals, Slow USB-C Cables and Video Game Wrestling

Dave also shows off the giant magnetic medals earned through the Pro Football Hall of Fame virtual race series.

https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Canton/HOFRaceSeries

Katie introduces what may become a recurring feature, “What Is Katie Labeling Now?”, after discovering one of her USB-C cables was charging her laptop dramatically slower than the others.

And before any of that, the crew revisits Sorgstock and its real-life video game wrestling match, where the performers recreated all of the awkward movement, button mashing, missed attacks and controller confusion of playing a wrestling game when nobody remembers the controls.

From the future of game ownership to 1980s computers and $100,000 keyboards, AwesomeCast 794 once again proves there is always something wonderfully strange happening in technology.

]]> AwesomeCast 793: Apple M6 Macs, Grogu & RC Racing https://sorgatronmedia.fireside.fm/39178 17803f03-8d43-4818-abf2-13bc3d4432f9 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:00:00 -0400 Sorgatron Media full Sorgatron Media Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are back with a packed AwesomeCast covering the latest intersections of technology, gaming, gadgets, and geek culture. The show opens with a remembrance of Dolly Parton and her extraordinary charitable legacy before diving into RC cars controlled through full-size racing simulators and Apple’s updated Mac mini and Mac Studio hardware. Dave explains the M6 chip, Thunderbolt 5 clustering, and why running AI locally could become increasingly attractive for businesses and creators. Chachi takes us inside Chicago’s Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit and delivers gaming news on Kingdom Hearts 4, Mattel Game Studios, and the latest GTA VI leaks. Katie opens a box full of 3D-printed Dungeon Crawler Carl collectibles, while the crew celebrates 35 years of Linux. Plus: Transformers invades Minecraft, Hasbro creates a $600 interactive Grogu, the Nature Calls restroom finder launches, Pittsburgh International Airport gets a gaming lounge, and Disney characters are being paired with NFL teams. Get geeky. Get awesome. 1:03:11 no <p>Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are back for another round of geeky tech, gadgets, games, collectibles, and Pittsburgh happenings. The episode opens on a somber note with a tribute to Dolly Parton and the impact of her philanthropy, including her work supporting childhood literacy.</p> <p>Then the crew gets into everything from simulated RC racing and Apple’s latest Macs to a life-size Grogu, Linux history, Pokémon fossils, GTA VI leaks, and gaming at Pittsburgh International Airport.</p> <p><strong>Topics discussed include:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <strong>Remembering Dolly Parton</strong> – The crew reflects on Parton’s passing, her charitable legacy, her support of literacy programs, and the positive impact she made far beyond entertainment.</li> <li> <strong>RC racing meets full-size driving simulators</strong> – Sorg discovers first-person RC car racing setups that combine tiny vehicles, onboard cameras, and full simulator rigs. The conversation explores CloudRC, RC aircraft, and whether experiences like this could become the next arcade, mall, or Dave &amp; Buster’s attraction.</li> <li> <strong>Apple updates the Mac mini and Mac Studio</strong> – Dave breaks down Apple’s new Mac hardware, including the M6 chip, pricing, local AI performance, and the ability to combine machines over Thunderbolt 5. The crew discusses why local AI processing could become increasingly important for businesses dealing with cloud costs, privacy, and sensitive data.</li> <li> <strong>Pokémon Fossils invade Chicago</strong> – Chachi reports from the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit at Chicago’s Field Museum, where fossils inspired by the games are compared with real paleontology. The exhibit even includes Pokémon GO bonuses and limited merchandise.</li> <li> <strong>Dungeon Crawler Carl and 3D printing</strong> – Katie opens her mysterious box of 3D-printed creations from Chachi’s Plastic Fun Time shop, including Dungeon Crawler Carl characters, ornaments, magnets, Pokémon-inspired pieces, the infamous Rock Lobster, and more.</li> <li> <strong>Linux turns 35</strong> – Dave traces the unlikely chain of events connecting AT&amp;T antitrust action, UNIX, GNU, Linus Torvalds, and the operating system that became one of the foundations of modern computing. There’s even a bonus discussion about Linux running on a Sega 32X.</li> <li> <strong>Kingdom Hearts expands</strong> – Chachi’s Video Game Minute covers a 2027 release window for <em>Kingdom Hearts 4</em> and a planned animated <em>Kingdom Hearts</em> series for Disney+.</li> <li> <strong>Mattel builds its own game studio</strong> – Mattel is expanding its internal video game operation with hundreds of developers and new games based on properties including UNO and Hot Wheels.</li> <li> <strong>GTA VI leaks and the digital ownership fight</strong> – The show looks at reported leaks of <em>Grand Theft Auto VI</em> material tied to protests over digital-only game distribution and the broader debate over whether players actually own their digital purchases.</li> <li> <strong>Transformers comes to Minecraft</strong> – Sorg and Katie explore the Transformers content available through the Minecraft Marketplace, including G1-inspired characters, story-based gameplay, combat modes, and plenty of temptation for Transformers fans.</li> <li> <strong>A nearly life-size Ultimate Grogu</strong> – Hasbro Pulse has a roughly 14.6-inch animatronic Grogu featuring movement, sounds, multiple interaction modes, cosplay-friendly settings, and a $599.99 price tag.</li> <li> <strong>Nature Calls restroom finder launches</strong> – The crowdsourced restroom-finding app discussed on an earlier AwesomeCast is now available, helping users locate bathrooms, water fountains, porta-potties, and other facilities.</li> <li> <strong>Gaming at Pittsburgh International Airport</strong> – Sorg checks out Gameway, a gaming lounge at Pittsburgh International Airport offering video games, snacks, drinks, and another option for travelers with time before a flight.</li> <li> <strong>Disney characters meet NFL teams</strong> – Disney and the NFL have teamed up for team-specific character merchandise. The Pittsburgh Steelers get Pete, while other combinations include Captain America with the Patriots, Thor with the Vikings, Darth Vader with the Raiders, and more.</li> </ul> <p>The crew also checks in on their recent Pittsburgh Shootout adventures and previews more of what’s happening around the Sorgatron Media universe.</p> <p><strong>RC Racing / CloudRC</strong><br> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/Db2l4aVjpRO/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.instagram.com/reels/Db2l4aVjpRO/</a><br> <a href="https://store.cloudrc.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://store.cloudrc.com/</a></p> <p><strong>Plastic Fun Time 3D Prints</strong><br> <a href="https://plasticfuntime.etsy.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://plasticfuntime.etsy.com/</a></p> <p><strong>Apple Mac mini / Mac Studio Updates</strong><br> <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/apple-announces-m6-and-m5-ultra-mac-mini-mac-studio/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.wired.com/story/apple-announces-m6-and-m5-ultra-mac-mini-mac-studio/</a></p> <p><strong>35 Years of Linux</strong><br> <a href="https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/linux-was-announced-by-linus-torvalds-35-years-ago-today-humble-os-started-with-10-000-lines-of-code-but-has-now-grown-to-40-million-dominates-global-infrastructure" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/linux-was-announced-by-linus-torvalds-35-years-ago-today-humble-os-started-with-10-000-lines-of-code-but-has-now-grown-to-40-million-dominates-global-infrastructure</a></p> <p><strong>Kingdom Hearts Announcements</strong><br> <a href="https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/games-d23-digital-entertainment/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/games-d23-digital-entertainment/</a></p> <p><strong>Mattel Game Studios</strong><br> <a href="https://kotaku.com/the-toy-maker-behind-barbie-and-hot-wheels-wants-to-make-its-own-video-games-2000724968" rel="nofollow noopener">https://kotaku.com/the-toy-maker-behind-barbie-and-hot-wheels-wants-to-make-its-own-video-games-2000724968</a></p> <p><strong>GTA VI Leak Story</strong><br> <a href="https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/hacker-leaks-gta-vi-gameplay-and-map-to-protest-digital-only-release-claims-pre-orders-are-a-legacy-of-physical-game-releases" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/hacker-leaks-gta-vi-gameplay-and-map-to-protest-digital-only-release-claims-pre-orders-are-a-legacy-of-physical-game-releases</a></p> <p><strong>Transformers Minecraft</strong><br> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1056475313409694" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.facebook.com/reel/1056475313409694</a></p> <p><strong>Nature Calls Restroom Finder – iOS</strong><br> <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/find-toilets-nature-calls-run/id6790583853" rel="nofollow noopener">https://apps.apple.com/us/app/find-toilets-nature-calls-run/id6790583853</a></p> <p><strong>Ultimate Grogu</strong><br> <a href="https://www.hasbropulse.com/product/star-wars-ultimate-grogu/G44835S00" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.hasbropulse.com/product/star-wars-ultimate-grogu/G44835S00</a></p> <p><strong>Pittsburgh Airport Gameway</strong><br> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcbcVbCBU34/?igsi=MTJweXZ1N2N4cTZ1dg==" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcbcVbCBU34/?igsi=MTJweXZ1N2N4cTZ1dg==</a><br> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1089385550715987" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.facebook.com/reel/1089385550715987</a></p> <p><strong>Disney x Pittsburgh Steelers</strong><br> <a href="https://www.nflshop.com/pittsburgh-steelers/disney/t-36604861+c-1202616796+z-8-2894738209?ab=%7Bwt-static%5C_graphic%7D%7Bpt-TLP%7D%7Bal-HMB%7D%7Bct-Pittsburgh%5C_Steelers%5C_disney%7D" rel="nofollow noopener">https://www.nflshop.com/pittsburgh-steelers/disney/t-36604861+c-1202616796+z-8-2894738209?ab=%7Bwt-static\_graphic%7D%7Bpt-TLP%7D%7Bal-HMB%7D%7Bct-Pittsburgh\_Steelers\_disney%7D</a> </p> Michael Sorg, Sorg, Katie Dudas, Dave Podnar, technology podcast, Pittsburgh podcast, Pittsburgh technology, Apple, Apple M6, M6 chip, Mac mini, Mac Studio, local AI, artificial intelligence, Thunderbolt 5, CloudRC, RC racing, RC cars, racing simulator, Linux, Linux 35th anniversary, Linus Torvalds, UNIX, Pokemon, Pokemon Fossil Museum, Field Museum Chicago, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Plastic Fun Time, 3D printing, Kingdom Hearts 4, Kingdom Hearts Disney Plus, Mattel Game Studios, Hot Wheels, UNO, GTA VI, GTA 6, Rockstar Games, Minecraft, Transformers Minecraft, Transformers, Grogu, Ultimate Grogu, Hasbro Pulse, Star Wars, Nature Calls app, bathroom finder app, Pittsburgh International Airport, Gameway, airport gaming, Disney NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dolly Parton Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are back for another round of geeky tech, gadgets, games, collectibles, and Pittsburgh happenings. The episode opens on a somber note with a tribute to Dolly Parton and the impact of her philanthropy, including her work supporting childhood literacy.

Then the crew gets into everything from simulated RC racing and Apple’s latest Macs to a life-size Grogu, Linux history, Pokémon fossils, GTA VI leaks, and gaming at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Topics discussed include:

  • Remembering Dolly Parton – The crew reflects on Parton’s passing, her charitable legacy, her support of literacy programs, and the positive impact she made far beyond entertainment.
  • RC racing meets full-size driving simulators – Sorg discovers first-person RC car racing setups that combine tiny vehicles, onboard cameras, and full simulator rigs. The conversation explores CloudRC, RC aircraft, and whether experiences like this could become the next arcade, mall, or Dave & Buster’s attraction.
  • Apple updates the Mac mini and Mac Studio – Dave breaks down Apple’s new Mac hardware, including the M6 chip, pricing, local AI performance, and the ability to combine machines over Thunderbolt 5. The crew discusses why local AI processing could become increasingly important for businesses dealing with cloud costs, privacy, and sensitive data.
  • Pokémon Fossils invade Chicago – Chachi reports from the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit at Chicago’s Field Museum, where fossils inspired by the games are compared with real paleontology. The exhibit even includes Pokémon GO bonuses and limited merchandise.
  • Dungeon Crawler Carl and 3D printing – Katie opens her mysterious box of 3D-printed creations from Chachi’s Plastic Fun Time shop, including Dungeon Crawler Carl characters, ornaments, magnets, Pokémon-inspired pieces, the infamous Rock Lobster, and more.
  • Linux turns 35 – Dave traces the unlikely chain of events connecting AT&T antitrust action, UNIX, GNU, Linus Torvalds, and the operating system that became one of the foundations of modern computing. There’s even a bonus discussion about Linux running on a Sega 32X.
  • Kingdom Hearts expands – Chachi’s Video Game Minute covers a 2027 release window for Kingdom Hearts 4 and a planned animated Kingdom Hearts series for Disney+.
  • Mattel builds its own game studio – Mattel is expanding its internal video game operation with hundreds of developers and new games based on properties including UNO and Hot Wheels.
  • GTA VI leaks and the digital ownership fight – The show looks at reported leaks of Grand Theft Auto VI material tied to protests over digital-only game distribution and the broader debate over whether players actually own their digital purchases.
  • Transformers comes to Minecraft – Sorg and Katie explore the Transformers content available through the Minecraft Marketplace, including G1-inspired characters, story-based gameplay, combat modes, and plenty of temptation for Transformers fans.
  • A nearly life-size Ultimate Grogu – Hasbro Pulse has a roughly 14.6-inch animatronic Grogu featuring movement, sounds, multiple interaction modes, cosplay-friendly settings, and a $599.99 price tag.
  • Nature Calls restroom finder launches – The crowdsourced restroom-finding app discussed on an earlier AwesomeCast is now available, helping users locate bathrooms, water fountains, porta-potties, and other facilities.
  • Gaming at Pittsburgh International Airport – Sorg checks out Gameway, a gaming lounge at Pittsburgh International Airport offering video games, snacks, drinks, and another option for travelers with time before a flight.
  • Disney characters meet NFL teams – Disney and the NFL have teamed up for team-specific character merchandise. The Pittsburgh Steelers get Pete, while other combinations include Captain America with the Patriots, Thor with the Vikings, Darth Vader with the Raiders, and more.

The crew also checks in on their recent Pittsburgh Shootout adventures and previews more of what’s happening around the Sorgatron Media universe.

RC Racing / CloudRC
https://www.instagram.com/reels/Db2l4aVjpRO/
https://store.cloudrc.com/

Plastic Fun Time 3D Prints
https://plasticfuntime.etsy.com/

Apple Mac mini / Mac Studio Updates
https://www.wired.com/story/apple-announces-m6-and-m5-ultra-mac-mini-mac-studio/

35 Years of Linux
https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/linux-was-announced-by-linus-torvalds-35-years-ago-today-humble-os-started-with-10-000-lines-of-code-but-has-now-grown-to-40-million-dominates-global-infrastructure

Kingdom Hearts Announcements
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/games-d23-digital-entertainment/

Mattel Game Studios
https://kotaku.com/the-toy-maker-behind-barbie-and-hot-wheels-wants-to-make-its-own-video-games-2000724968

GTA VI Leak Story
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/hacker-leaks-gta-vi-gameplay-and-map-to-protest-digital-only-release-claims-pre-orders-are-a-legacy-of-physical-game-releases

Transformers Minecraft
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1056475313409694

Nature Calls Restroom Finder – iOS
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/find-toilets-nature-calls-run/id6790583853

Ultimate Grogu
https://www.hasbropulse.com/product/star-wars-ultimate-grogu/G44835S00

Pittsburgh Airport Gameway
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcbcVbCBU34/?igsi=MTJweXZ1N2N4cTZ1dg==
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1089385550715987

Disney x Pittsburgh Steelers
https://www.nflshop.com/pittsburgh-steelers/disney/t-36604861+c-1202616796+z-8-2894738209?ab=%7Bwt-static\_graphic%7D%7Bpt-TLP%7D%7Bal-HMB%7D%7Bct-Pittsburgh\_Steelers\_disney%7D

]]> Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are back for another round of geeky tech, gadgets, games, collectibles, and Pittsburgh happenings. The episode opens on a somber note with a tribute to Dolly Parton and the impact of her philanthropy, including her work supporting childhood literacy.

Then the crew gets into everything from simulated RC racing and Apple’s latest Macs to a life-size Grogu, Linux history, Pokémon fossils, GTA VI leaks, and gaming at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Topics discussed include:

  • Remembering Dolly Parton – The crew reflects on Parton’s passing, her charitable legacy, her support of literacy programs, and the positive impact she made far beyond entertainment.
  • RC racing meets full-size driving simulators – Sorg discovers first-person RC car racing setups that combine tiny vehicles, onboard cameras, and full simulator rigs. The conversation explores CloudRC, RC aircraft, and whether experiences like this could become the next arcade, mall, or Dave & Buster’s attraction.
  • Apple updates the Mac mini and Mac Studio – Dave breaks down Apple’s new Mac hardware, including the M6 chip, pricing, local AI performance, and the ability to combine machines over Thunderbolt 5. The crew discusses why local AI processing could become increasingly important for businesses dealing with cloud costs, privacy, and sensitive data.
  • Pokémon Fossils invade Chicago – Chachi reports from the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit at Chicago’s Field Museum, where fossils inspired by the games are compared with real paleontology. The exhibit even includes Pokémon GO bonuses and limited merchandise.
  • Dungeon Crawler Carl and 3D printing – Katie opens her mysterious box of 3D-printed creations from Chachi’s Plastic Fun Time shop, including Dungeon Crawler Carl characters, ornaments, magnets, Pokémon-inspired pieces, the infamous Rock Lobster, and more.
  • Linux turns 35 – Dave traces the unlikely chain of events connecting AT&T antitrust action, UNIX, GNU, Linus Torvalds, and the operating system that became one of the foundations of modern computing. There’s even a bonus discussion about Linux running on a Sega 32X.
  • Kingdom Hearts expands – Chachi’s Video Game Minute covers a 2027 release window for Kingdom Hearts 4 and a planned animated Kingdom Hearts series for Disney+.
  • Mattel builds its own game studio – Mattel is expanding its internal video game operation with hundreds of developers and new games based on properties including UNO and Hot Wheels.
  • GTA VI leaks and the digital ownership fight – The show looks at reported leaks of Grand Theft Auto VI material tied to protests over digital-only game distribution and the broader debate over whether players actually own their digital purchases.
  • Transformers comes to Minecraft – Sorg and Katie explore the Transformers content available through the Minecraft Marketplace, including G1-inspired characters, story-based gameplay, combat modes, and plenty of temptation for Transformers fans.
  • A nearly life-size Ultimate Grogu – Hasbro Pulse has a roughly 14.6-inch animatronic Grogu featuring movement, sounds, multiple interaction modes, cosplay-friendly settings, and a $599.99 price tag.
  • Nature Calls restroom finder launches – The crowdsourced restroom-finding app discussed on an earlier AwesomeCast is now available, helping users locate bathrooms, water fountains, porta-potties, and other facilities.
  • Gaming at Pittsburgh International Airport – Sorg checks out Gameway, a gaming lounge at Pittsburgh International Airport offering video games, snacks, drinks, and another option for travelers with time before a flight.
  • Disney characters meet NFL teams – Disney and the NFL have teamed up for team-specific character merchandise. The Pittsburgh Steelers get Pete, while other combinations include Captain America with the Patriots, Thor with the Vikings, Darth Vader with the Raiders, and more.

The crew also checks in on their recent Pittsburgh Shootout adventures and previews more of what’s happening around the Sorgatron Media universe.

RC Racing / CloudRC
https://www.instagram.com/reels/Db2l4aVjpRO/
https://store.cloudrc.com/

Plastic Fun Time 3D Prints
https://plasticfuntime.etsy.com/

Apple Mac mini / Mac Studio Updates
https://www.wired.com/story/apple-announces-m6-and-m5-ultra-mac-mini-mac-studio/

35 Years of Linux
https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/linux-was-announced-by-linus-torvalds-35-years-ago-today-humble-os-started-with-10-000-lines-of-code-but-has-now-grown-to-40-million-dominates-global-infrastructure

Kingdom Hearts Announcements
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/games-d23-digital-entertainment/

Mattel Game Studios
https://kotaku.com/the-toy-maker-behind-barbie-and-hot-wheels-wants-to-make-its-own-video-games-2000724968

GTA VI Leak Story
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/hacker-leaks-gta-vi-gameplay-and-map-to-protest-digital-only-release-claims-pre-orders-are-a-legacy-of-physical-game-releases

Transformers Minecraft
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1056475313409694

Nature Calls Restroom Finder – iOS
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/find-toilets-nature-calls-run/id6790583853

Ultimate Grogu
https://www.hasbropulse.com/product/star-wars-ultimate-grogu/G44835S00

Pittsburgh Airport Gameway
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcbcVbCBU34/?igsi=MTJweXZ1N2N4cTZ1dg==
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1089385550715987

Disney x Pittsburgh Steelers
https://www.nflshop.com/pittsburgh-steelers/disney/t-36604861+c-1202616796+z-8-2894738209?ab=%7Bwt-static\_graphic%7D%7Bpt-TLP%7D%7Bal-HMB%7D%7Bct-Pittsburgh\_Steelers\_disney%7D

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