Pocket Gamer Podcast Episode 98: Exploring Iconic Mobile Game Characters, Among Us Solo Adventures, and the Upcoming Pocket Gamer Awards

Who truly stands as the greatest mobile game character of all time? Do players prefer frantic, first-person Doom-esque shooters, or are they more inclined to seek out dungeon-crawling chaos in alternative digital realms? These are the burning questions debated in the newest and improved episode of the Pocket Gamer Podcast, where the team dives deep into the nuances of iconic visual designs, character depth, and the occasional lack thereof. Alongside these lively debates, the hosts turn their attention toward the horizon, building anticipation for the upcoming Pocket Gamer Awards and the launch of its crucial nominations phase.

The Pocket Gamer Awards are officially opening their doors for nominations, inviting the gaming community to put forward their absolute favorite titles and breakout stars. To be eligible for consideration, nominated games must have launched within the specific window between October 1st, 2025, and September 30th, 2026. This year’s lineup introduces an array of fresh categories designed to honor the diverse landscape of modern portable gaming, most notably the Best Mobile Game Character category. This particular addition has already sparked playful speculation over whether a certain spiky-haired teen renowned for wielding excessively massive swords might make an appearance among the contenders.

Podcast co-hosts Iwan and Will take listeners on a nostalgic and analytical journey, suggesting various franchise icons that have successfully transitioned from niche releases to household names and mobile classics over the years. Their discussion touches upon instantly recognizable faces originating from powerhouse franchises such as Clash of Clans and Angry Birds, alongside the beloved, imposter-hunting space crew that has dominated public consciousness. This naturally paves the way for a transition into recent gaming headlines, specifically concerning the trajectory of the social deduction phenomenon through Among Us Story: On Guard. This upcoming release looks to flip the established formula on its head by removing the traditional multiplayer aspect entirely, instead opting for a single-player, murder-mystery-styled adventure.

Whether this bold departure from the core multiplayer experience will resonate with long-time fans remains to be seen, but the concept itself evokes other notable titles on the radar. It serves as a reminder for Iwan regarding a project he was initially looking forward to experiencing: Boltgun Boom. However, insights gathered from Stephen’s hands-on preview raised some notable concerns regarding the control schemes tailored for this specific boomer shooter sub-genre. While this realization brings a touch of disappointment to Iwan, it ultimately redirects his enthusiasm toward Warhammer Survivors, a title he is now fully committed to diving into when it officially launches next month.

Shifting the spotlight, Will shares the most recent release that has captured his attention and excitement: the mobile arrival of Vampire Crawlers. This encouraging update succeeds in lifting Iwan’s spirits, rounding out a comprehensive discussion of current mobile gaming trends. Before bringing the episode to a close, the hosts issue a final, friendly reminder to the audience to cast their votes and submit their personal mobile favorites for the Pocket Gamer Awards as the nomination window opens.

Listeners wishing to tune into the conversation can access the podcast directly through the embedded media player, stream episodes via the dedicated Spotify page, or ensure they never miss an installment by hitting the follow button. Following the show on Spotify allows new episodes to be pushed directly to subscribers as soon as they are uploaded, offering early access even before the accompanying stories land on the main website. Furthermore, expanding upon long-awaited accessibility options, the Pocket Gamer Podcast is now readily available across additional major listening platforms, including Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts, ensuring that fans can easily tune in wherever they prefer to enjoy their audio content.