When it was announced that The 1Up Show would be no more, a little part of me died inside.

As one of the few podcasts I constantly recommended to fellow gamers, The 1UP Show disappeared into the ether like so many others.

I was exceptionally happy discover that the awesome minds behind the show, (Cesar Quintero, Matt Chandronait, Jay Frechette, Ryan O’Donnell, Jason Bertrand and Rob Bowen), had decided to group together to form Area 5 Media. 

Area 5 (paying homage to Rez in both name, and website layout) have been working hard since they formed, to produce their first original show: CO-OP.

CO-OP is an ongoing conversation about games and gaming culture. You won’t find any review scores here or top 10 lists. We simply hope to enliven the conversations gamers are having out there already.

With a format that is reminiscent of the show I used to love, Area 5′s passion for games shines through in each episode.  As such, CO-OP is now top on my list of recommendations, and I demand that you head over there and check it out for yourself.