Distractible – "2026 Distractible Game Guide"
Release Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Mark Fischbach (Markiplier), Wade Barnes, Bob Muyskens
Theme: Gaming in 2026 – Upcoming Games, Game Awards Reactions & Classic Banter
Episode Overview
In this lively new-year episode, the Distractible crew drops their typical inconsistency and returns to their “roots” with a spirited, sprawling discussion of the games (and some shows) they're most excited for in 2026. Using their classic banter, personal stories, and a running tally of “points,” Mark, Wade, and Bob immerse themselves in game trailers, hype cycles, gaming nostalgia, and their characteristic absurd tangents. The episode is rich in anticipation, playful criticism of the industry, and unpredictably hilarious moments—including tales of family, toddler comedy, and their infamous competition for podcast “winner.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. New Year, New Distractible?
- Opening Banter & Awards:
- The hosts riff on being "consistently inconsistent," with Mark joking about changing the show’s paradigm, likening it to the jarring art style change in Dexter’s Laboratory’s final season.
- They discuss the end-of-year Spotify wrapped awards—fancy boxes, trophies (like the “Crate Digger” and “Armchair Athlete”), and even a personalized Distractible water bottle.
- Bob cherishes the rare sight of his name on a trophy, while Mark insists that macaroni art from a kid might matter more (“when your kid gets you a macaroni art…that’ll be better than any award. Or not.” – Mark, 08:34).
2. Personal Updates & Comedic Family Moments
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Medical Misadventures:
- Wade shares a story of a family holiday derailed by his aunt's "vast cavern of pus" infection, leading to hospital drama (“That small little dot of infection was, like, the entry point into the vast cavern of pus and death and murder spots.” – Wade, 10:45).
- Bob jokes about the need for everyone to get medical degrees to deal with doctors who need “reminding.”
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Bob’s Toddler, the Comedian:
- Bob recounts his three-year-old son James working on his comedic timing at dinner: “Mom, you’re cheese. Cheese can’t talk. Dad, you’re crackers…crackers can’t talk. What’s James? I’m scared because mom and dad are cheese and crackers.” (13:07–13:51).
- Everyone praises the toddler’s budding sense of wordplay and timing.
3. Game Awards, Trailers, and 2026 Gaming Landscape
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Trailers that Tease Way Too Soon:
- Big discussion of the trend toward trailers years ahead of release, focusing especially on the newly announced Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, which may not drop until 2030.
- Wade’s frustration: “Why would they have the trailer? Why even tease that this far in advance? It builds a hype that is then gone for years.” (19:30)
- Bob’s counterpoint: Studios need to impress money-people and publishers; early trailers drive interest even if they annoy fans.
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Star Wars Nostalgia & Frustrations:
- The group bemoans the long stretches between Star Wars game releases, joking about the original Knights of the Old Republic “coming in 2030—maybe.”
- Excitement spikes over the reveal of Star Wars Galactic Racer, a modern take on the old pod racing arcade games (“Finally a sequel to Episode One Racer…from 1999!” – Wade, 23:24).
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Other Game Awards Reactions:
- Mark expresses “hate” for “Clair Obscura 33er,” an apparently controversial new title that swept awards, likely in jest.
4. Games the Hosts are Excited About
Upcoming & Niche Games:
- Slay the Spire 2:
- Bob hypes this anticipated indie sequel, reminiscing about obsessive play during tour days (24:36).
- New Nintendo IPs:
- Bob shares excitement for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book for Switch 2, thrilled by the nostalgic vibes and callback mechanics (37:10).
- New Mario Tennis for Switch 2 also generates interest due to the enduring quality of the Mario sports line.
Blockbusters & Tentpole Titles:
- Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred DLC:
- Wade discusses the cycle of hype/disappointment, noting the addition of the Paladin class and finally facing actual “Big Bads”—after years of build-up (“Why has Diablo 4 been so low on Diablo?!” – Wade, 33:13).
- 007: First Light:
- Bob spotlights this new Bond title, speculating it will have Hitman-esque mechanics and marveling at the $300 edition with a “real” golden gun replica (29:35).
- Divinity’s Next Chapter:
- Mark and Wade puzzle over whether the new Divinity game will stick to its roots with turn-based combat after mixed, potentially misleading messages in the game’s promotion (43:38).
- The Boys – Final Season (TV):
- Although off-topic, Wade shares deep hype for The Boys’ final season, lauding its wild, graphic tone and eagerly predicting the reunion of Supernatural stars (26:40–27:10).
- The Forest 3 & Sons of the Forest:
- The crew remembers good (and hilariously bad) times playing survival-crafting hits, now anticipating the next chapter—despite the series’ increasing complexity and size (39:04–40:24).
- GTA 6:
- Still nobody expects a punctual release—“We’ll see that in June 2027 at the earliest.” – Bob, 45:11.
5. Classic Distractible Bits & The Points Game
- Wheel of Points:
- Hilarity ensues as Bob and Wade compete for points via outlandish reasons, joke “lie points,” and the dreaded Scottish Accent challenge (47:39–49:16).
- Both attempt (knowingly terrible) Scottish accents:
- Bob: “Oh, listen here, laddie, you best be giving me this point!” (48:02)
- Wade: “You can take my points, but you'll never take my victory!” (48:23)
- Ultimately, Wade ekes out a win, delivering an over-the-top winner’s speech: “Unintended victory was inevitable. As am I. I'm in your house. I'm on your screen. I'm in your ears. Look upon me, for I am the bald and you can never forget.” (49:53)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Gaming Paranoia:
“Why would they have the trailer? Why even tease that this far in advance? It builds a hype that is then gone for years.”
– Wade (19:30) -
On Toddler Wordplay:
“Mom, you’re cheese. Cheese can’t talk. Dad, you’re crackers…crackers can’t talk…”
– James (via Bob, 13:07–13:51) -
On Modern Game Marketing:
“You want the money people to look and be like, ah, they've got a trailer. So, like, they're working on it… If they see the hype, they'll believe the game might make money.”
– Bob (20:20) -
On Discouraging Success:
“If people like something, it makes me immediately want to stop playing it.”
– Bob (41:45) -
On Points Competition Absurdity:
“Who said Lord Commander cum stain? Was that you, Wade?”
– Host (likely Mark, 47:15)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Award & Gift Unboxing: 07:03–09:42
- Family Medical Saga: 10:45–11:42
- Toddler Comedy Hour: 13:07–14:56
- Game Awards/Trailers Rant: 16:40–21:47
- Star Wars in Gaming Nostalgia: 22:01–23:45
- Slay the Spire 2 Chatter: 24:13–25:07
- Diablo 4 DLC Breakdown: 32:20–36:49
- Yoshi & Nintendo Platformers: 37:09–38:23
- The Forest Memories: 39:04–41:45
- Mario Tennis/Switch 2 Games: 42:02–43:10
- 007: First Light Speculation: 29:35–31:10
- Wheel of Points / Scottish Accent Showdown: 47:39–49:16
- Winner & Loser Speeches: 49:53–50:59
Language & Tone
The episode features Distractible’s trademark mix of affectionate mockery, quick-witted humor, over-the-top storytelling, and self-deprecation. The tone is playful and teasing but rich in genuine excitement for games, nostalgia for media, and evident warmth among the hosts. Quotable one-liners and absurdist jokes abound, mixed with surprisingly insightful commentary (often buried in their comedic delivery).
Takeaways for Listeners
- Get a whirlwind tour of 2026 gaming news and industry oddities—via the Distractible lens.
- Enjoy contagious enthusiasm, sharp critiques of media trends, and the hosts’ unmatched chemistry and rivalry.
- Marvel at (or cringe with) their recurring points game and the ever-complicated Wheel of Scottish Accents.
- Gain a short-list of 2026’s must-watch games: Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, Slay the Spire 2, 007: First Light, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, the next Divinity, and more.
- Relish side stories about toddler comedians, lost holidays, and the eternal battle: who’s the podcast “winner”?
In short:
Distractible’s 2026 Game Guide is a wild, welcoming, and wonderfully messy kickoff for the gaming year—exactly as you’d want from Mark, Wade, and Bob.