Former Podcast Hosts Launch New Show After IGN’s Exit from Podcasting

Last month, a significant round of layoffs hit the gaming community, affecting several familiar faces. Longtime hosts Brian Altano and Seth Macy were among those let go, but they’re not staying down for long. They’re teaming up with Max Scoville, who also left during the recent shakeup, to launch an independent network of gaming podcasts called X Button. This shift comes as their former employer steps back from its well-known gaming podcasts.

In the first episode of their new venture, Altano shared, “A couple weeks ago, there was a slight shift in programming at our former employer, and we are now out into the great unknown and doing a brand new thing. Hopefully, by the time you’re hearing this, we’re all crying tears of joy because it worked out.”

The new network is hosted on Patreon and currently features two podcasts. The first, X Button, is a general gaming show, while the second, Ninfriendo 64, focuses on all things Nintendo. According to X Button’s About page, “We’ll cover video game news, new game releases, and the classic games we still love today, all with the insight, passion, and humor you expect from us by now. We’re bringing our years of experience and inviting dozens of games industry peers, game developers, voice actors, and more on as guests, all for every listener and viewer we’ve reached along the way. We’re making something brand new that also feels familiar.”

Before the layoffs, Altano and Scoville co-hosted a weekly PlayStation show, while Macy was a long-time co-host of a Nintendo-themed podcast. Following the restructuring, the PlayStation show is currently on hiatus, and the Nintendo podcast will no longer release episodes weekly.

The Xbox-themed podcast hasn’t seen a new episode since October 1. Reports indicate that only one show, co-hosted by a veteran of the site, will continue to publish regularly. Sources suggest that leadership informed staff that the remaining shows weren’t generating enough revenue to justify ongoing production.

This retreat from podcasting is surprising for a platform that was among the first to embrace the medium, especially as other media companies ramp up their podcasting efforts. Some have even partnered with streaming services to air shows alongside movies and TV. Another podcast network, launched by former staff, has demonstrated that this model can still be profitable.

In their pitch to new subscribers, X Button stated, “We got let go. Careers we put so much passion, love, and expertise into for so long vanished instantly. We lost it all, suddenly and unexpectedly. And it really, really sucked. But then, we got thousands of comments and messages telling us to keep going. So we’re picking up the pieces and doing just that. And we’re bringing our community, our peers, and our years of experience with us. Because we know we want to keep doing this crazy fun thing, and we want you there with us.”