Cj and his good friend, Samuel Tolbert discuss layoffs shaking the gaming industry.
Topics include:
Important unionization efforts by Microsoft studios.
What went wrong for the company
What gamers and consumers should know
Read Sam’s writing here: https://campaign-mode.ghost.io/ (https://campaign-mode.ghost.io/)
Follow Sam:
@samueltolbert.bsky.social (http://samueltolbert.bsky.social)
Follow Cj
@cynicalceezy.bsky.social (http://cynicalceezy.bsky.social)
Read Cj’s writing here:
https://medium.com/@salcedo.cj (https://medium.com/@salcedo.cj)
Music Ballad of Aether - Synthwave/Synthpop - Royalty Free Music (https://youtu.be/YlyDRm0Hvw0?si=iGIDSXSUrD8cBCOf)
14 Aug 2026
Upgrading Blues (with Justin)
The Checkpoint returns after a weeklong break! Cj is joined by his good friend, Justin, as the two talk about the raising costs of hardware and their own experiences of upgrading tech.
Topics Covered:
The FOMO and anxiety that leads to panic buying a console
The loss of curiosity and conversation in the gaming space
How our choice of hardware shapes these conversations
Socials:
Justin: @roboplato.bsky.social (http://roboplato.bsky.social)
Cj: @cynicalceezy.bsky.social (http://cynicalceezy.bsky.social)
Read Cj’s writing:
https://medium.com/@salcedo.cj (https://medium.com/@salcedo.cj)
Music :
Ballad of Aether - Synthwave/Synthpop - Royalty Free Music (https://youtu.be/YlyDRm0Hvw0?si=iGIDSXSUrD8cBCOf)
Links:
https://linktr.ee/thecheckpointpod (https://linktr.ee/thecheckpointpod)
31 Jul 2026
Digital Love? (with Justin, Rorenado)
Cj is joined by his friend Justin Grandfield to talk Sony's all-digital plans and PS3 store shutdowns.
Topics include:
Great PS3 games
Cool emulation projects
Accessibility in gaming
Follow Justin:
Bluesky: @rorenado.bsky.social (http://rorenado.bsky.social)
Writing: https://muckrack.com/justin-grandfield-1/portfolio (https://muckrack.com/justin-grandfield-1/portfolio)
Read Cj's writing: https://medium.com/@salcedo.cj (https://medium.com/@salcedo.cj)
Music Ballad of Aether - Synthwave/Synthpop - Royalty Free Music (https://youtu.be/YlyDRm0Hvw0?si=iGIDSXSUrD8cBCOf)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact The Checkpoint
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of The Checkpoint?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
