Kotaku reporter Patrick Klepek hosts the debut episode of a weekly Chicago-based podcast with freelance writer Gita Jackson and middle school teacher Sam Phillips that explores the cultural context of video games.

Episode 72: The End

Nov 17th, 2016 1h 7m

In this final episode of Match 3, your three hosts—Patrick, Gita, and Sam—discuss their anxieties about Donald Trump's election, and get a little teary-eyed as they say goodbye to the podcast. Thanks for all of your support, love, honesty, and

Episode 71: Go Cubbies!

Nov 2nd, 2016 51m 10s

Patrick and Gita convene, as Patrick reacts to the Cubs game in real-time and breaks down Waypoint's 72-hour launch in New York this past weekend., while Gita discusses her time in the trenches at Kotaku.Feedback? Questions?Send questions ma

Episode 70: Inside Baseball

Oct 19th, 2016 53m 58s

Patrick, Gita, and Sam join around the table once again, as Gita announces her new role at Kotaku, Patrick reveals VICE Gaming is now Waypoint, and Sam explains that he's jetlagged.Feedback? Questions?Send questions [email protected]

Episode 69: Remotecast

Oct 12th, 2016 39m 57s

Patrick, Gita, and Sam file reports on the weirdness of sharing children's photos on social media, being drunk and talking about Quantico (??), and the weirdess of Clutertruck and Thumper.Feedback? Questions?Send questions matchthreepodcast@

Episode 68: Don't Clean Strangers

Oct 5th, 2016 56m 31s

Patrick and Gita give Sam a hall pass this week, before they break down the tragedy of trying to "win" in Rimworld, crappy final boss battles, and react to your horrifying carry-on stories.Feedback? Questions?Send questions matchthreepodcast

Episode 67: Trumpcast

Sep 28th, 2016 1h 2m

Patrick, Gita, and Sam join hands and summon the strength to discuss the first debate between Clinton and Trump.Feedback? Questions?Send questions [email protected] or yell at us on Twitter at @match3podcast.Match 3 is brought to

Episode 66: Your Source For Brangelina Hot Takes

Sep 21st, 2016 1h

Patrick, Sam, and Gita crowd around a table of microphones to not actually talk about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but reminisce about our first jobs, worry about what tarot cards say about Sam's future, and respond to your emails. (Send us m

Episode 65: Two White Boys That Sit With Gita

Sep 14th, 2016 57m 7s

The podcast returns, following the birth of Patrick's first child, with Patrick, Gita, and Sam catching up on the last two weeks and answering your emails.Feedback? Questions?Send questions [email protected] or yell at us on Twitte

Episode 64: Ding Dong, Gawker's Dead

Aug 24th, 2016 1h 2m

Patrick, Sam, and Gita finally get in a room together again to discuss the legacy of Gawker.com, which went offline this week, the result of a lawsuit connected to Hulk Hogan's leaked sex tape.Feedback? Questions?Send questions matchthreepod

Episode 63: Weekend Edition

Aug 17th, 2016 53m 9s

Gita and Patrick discuss what it's like writing for an audience of millions, and recount their early experiences with No Man's Sky. Sam valiantly tries to interview his students.Feedback? Questions?Send questions [email protected]

Episode 62: New York, New York

Aug 10th, 2016 26m 21s

With Patrick out of town and Gita backed up on deadline, Patrick and Sam file independent reports from New York and Chicago.Feedback? Questions?Send questions [email protected] or yell at us on Twitter at @match3podcast.Match 3 i

Episode 61: Vice City

Aug 3rd, 2016 45m 3s

Patrick and Gita hope they don't break any bones in the future before discussing Patrick's new job at Vice and the weirdness of trying to plan out a "career."Feedback? Questions?Send questions [email protected] or yell at us on Twi

Episode 60: Ted Cruz 2016

Jul 27th, 2016 1h 12m

Patrick, Sam, and Gita discuss the decline of the American rollercoaster, Quadrilateral Cowboy, Capcom's embrace of Hot Ryu, and dive deep into the nightmare that is politics in 2016.What We PlayedPatrick: Quadrilateral CowboySam: Pokémon

Episode 59: The Demise of Sam Phillips

Jul 20th, 2016 1h

Sam Phillips reveals his existential nightmare over the rise of Donald Trump before Gita Jackson and Patrick Klepek join in to answer a bunch of reader mail.What We PlayedPatrick: Pokémon GoSam: Pokémon GoGita: Pokémon GoFeedback?

Episode 58: Pokégasm

Jul 13th, 2016 57m 24s

Patrick, Gita, and Sam spend an hour gushing about Nintendo's new phenomenon, Pokémon Go.What We PlayedPatrick: Pokémon GoSam: Pokémon GoGita: Pokémon GoFeedback? Questions?Send questions [email protected] or yell at us o

Episode 57: Hold Me Closer, Tiny Vurper

Jul 6th, 2016 1h 4m

Is that a fan you hear in the background? Yes. (Sorry.) Is that the group doing their best to record after a long holiday? Yes. Patrick, Sam, and Gita discuss beer pong vs. flippy cup before a long examination of "development hell" and why crea

Episode 56: Shark Tank lol

Jun 29th, 2016 57m 50s

Gita, Sam, and Patrick break down the games they've been playing--35MM, Inside, Inks--before Sam takes them on a journey to a children's version of the TV show Shark Tank. Seriously! Later, the group opens up about depression, anxiety, and trea

Episode 55: Justin Bieber Enjoys Cool Sunglasses

Jun 22nd, 2016 56m 49s

Patrick, Gita, and Sam return from a week away, thanks to E3. Gita tell us about her chance encounter with Justin Bieber (seriously!), Patrick explains how to get a good deal on a car, and everyone congratulates Austin Walker in his new job at

Episode 54: E3 Dads

Jun 9th, 2016 38m 54s

With everyone busy with life stuff, Patrick, Gita, and Sam file individual reports in the lead up to next week's big industry event, E3.Feedback? Questions?Send questions [email protected] or yell at us on Twitter at @match3podcast

Episode 53: Sausagecast

Jun 1st, 2016 49m 55s

As Sam recounts his Mega Bus journey to Ohio and comes away disappointed with the Hardee's food franchise, Gita laments the fall of Britney Spears, thanks to her new iPhone game. Later, the group answers emails about trigger warnings in games,

Episode 52: Insufferably Pretentious

May 25th, 2016 1h 1m

Gita and Patrick gush over the new Doom game, while Sam reveals his not-so-secret Bachelorette obsession. Then, the group tackles the ongoing Ghostbusters gender controversy, and how such incidents force us to pick sides we don't want to be o

Episode 51: Is Mark Zuckerberg A Dick?

May 18th, 2016 1h 6m

Patrick, Gita, and Sam discuss the controversy over Facebook suppressing conservative news, check up on Gita's ongoing quest for galactic domination, and why the new DOOM is rad.What We PlayedPatrick: Ratchet & ClankSam: Garry’s Mod, Dia

Episode 50: The Wakanda Experience

May 11th, 2016 1h 2m

Gita reveals her galactic ambitions for the Holy Rihanna State, while Sam and Patrick join the conversation for a breakdown of Marvel's Captain America: Civil War and spoiler culture.What We PlayedPatrick: Ratchet & ClankSam: Garry’s Mod

Episode 49: Rhythm Violence

May 4th, 2016 1h 7m

Patrick, Gita, and Sam delve into a digital mailbag to weigh in on how to handle uncomfortable Facebook situations, the power of strawberries, and the price of buying good socks. And video games?What We PlayedPatrick: VRSam: Abra, King T