<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://gamesatwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander-grigoryev-YSEp8dLK8K8-unsplash-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5041" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/gamesatwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander-grigoryev-YSEp8dLK8K8-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/gamesatwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander-grigoryev-YSEp8dLK8K8-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/gamesatwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander-grigoryev-YSEp8dLK8K8-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/gamesatwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander-grigoryev-YSEp8dLK8K8-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/gamesatwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander-grigoryev-YSEp8dLK8K8-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/gamesatwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander-grigoryev-YSEp8dLK8K8-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/gamesatwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander-grigoryev-YSEp8dLK8K8-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C150&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/gamesatwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander-grigoryev-YSEp8dLK8K8-unsplash-scaled.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https://i0.wp.com/gamesatwork.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexander-grigoryev-YSEp8dLK8K8-unsplash-scaled.jpg?w=2400&amp;ssl=1 2400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@alex__grig?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Alexander Grigoryev</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/black-and-gray-computer-keyboard-YSEp8dLK8K8?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure> <p>Published 22 December 2025</p> <p>e536 with Andy, Michael R, and guest host newly-retired <a href="https://www.feedingedge.co.uk/blog/2025/12/18/i-have-retired-wahoooo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Ian &#8220;Epredator&#8221; Hughes</a> &#8211; a dive into gaming in 2025, retro computing and games, how to fix old paintings, and what&#8217;s coming to the public domain on January 1st.</p> <p>The show kicks off with a number of gaming topics, discussing what the hosts have been playing lately, including the results of the Steam Replay for 2025. There&#8217;s also a chat about Commodore (joysticks, and the new Commodore 64 Ultimate), ZX Spectrum, and other retro machines. Netflix has been making acquisitions in the gaming space, where will they lead?</p> <p>Michael is fascinated by the process of restoring old paintings; Andy and Ian have seen a lot more of this on TV in the UK!</p> <p>In the wrap, the hosts cover an incident of apparent smart glasses-induced rage on the subway; and briefly talk about what&#8217;s coming into the Public Domain on January 1st 2026.</p> <p>Wishing all our listeners a happy and peaceful break to close out 2025, and we&#8217;ll be back with new episodes in 2026.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Selected Links</h2> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size">Gaming</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://openfodder.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Open Source Cannon Fodder Engine </a></li> <li><a href="https://www.tweaktown.com/news/109388/steam-replay-2025-shows-that-only-14-percent-of-all-user-playtime-was-spent-playing-new-pc-games/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Steam Replay shows high interest in older games</a> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://s.team/y25/jqfcrch?l=english" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Andy&#8217;s Steam year in review</a> </li> <li><a href="https://s.team/y25/ftvngtb?l=english" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Michael’s Year in review </a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/snl-spoofed-uber-eats-wrapped-youber-did-it-for-real-2025-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Uber Eats spoofed</a> by SNL</li> <li><a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/845447/retro-games-the-quickshot-ii-joystick-controller-commodore-64" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Old new Commodore 64 Joystick</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hackster.io/news/keeping-up-with-the-commodore-a-hands-on-review-of-the-commodore-64-ultimate-235da0c5e23a" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Hackster review of Commodore 64 Ultimate</a></li> </ul> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.esp32rainbow.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">ESP32 Rainbow</a> (ZX Spectrum Re-created)</li> <li><a href="https://picocomputer.github.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Picocomputer</a> 6502 board</li> <li><a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/19/netflix-acquires-gaming-avatar-maker-ready-player-me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Netflix buys Ready Player Me</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size">Makers</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2025/12/baumgartner-restoration-portrait-painting-video/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">A satisfying painting restoration on YouTube </a></li> </ul> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>UK alternatives: <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001lttx" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Hidden Treasures of the National Trust</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b08l581p/the-repair-shop" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">The Repair Shop</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size">Media</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://futurism.com/future-society/woman-hero-smashing-meta-smart-glasses-subway" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Smashed smart glasses</a></li> <li><a href="https://pluralistic.net/2025/12/17/boop-oop-a-doop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="">Public Domain Day 2026</a></li> </ul>