TL;DR — Horror star Samara Weaving (Ready or Not, The Babysitter, Azrael, Carolina Caroline) joins Polygon’s Shelf Quest at VideoGamesNewYork. She travels with a PS5 in her carry-on, calls Red Dead Redemption 2 “a job,” and reveals The Sims is her actual therapy between blood-soaked film shoots. Episode published June 14, 2026. Time investment: 20 min watch. Worth it: YES — rare authentic celebrity gaming content.
Polygon’s Shelf Quest series has a simple premise: take a creative person to Manhattan’s VideoGamesNewYork, let them loose among the imported cartridges and CRT displays, and see what memories surface. Most guests arrive with a curated PR list. Samara Weaving walked in and immediately gravitated toward the PlayStation 5 section — because she actually travels with one.
“I pack a PS5 in my carry-on,” she tells host Matt Patches in the episode published today. “It’s just easier than explaining to TSA why I have a console in my checked luggage. They always pull you aside.”
This isn’t a celebrity doing a bit for content. I’ve watched actors pretend to game for marketing — Henry Cavill’s Warhammer posts feel genuine, but most “gamer celebs” can’t name three games they played last month. Weaving is different. She’s got a Pelican 1510 case with custom foam cutouts for her PS5 Slim, DualSense, and Pulse 3D headset. She showed it on camera. The case has stickers from film sets in Australia (Carolina Caroline), Budapest (Azrael), Toronto (The Babysitter 2 reshoots). That’s not prop dressing — that’s a working setup.
Why this matters for you: If you travel for work and game to decompress, her setup is a masterclass. Pelican 1510 ($180) + custom foam ($40) + PS5 Slim (3.2 lbs) fits in overhead on most international flights. Compare that to checking a bag and praying baggage handlers don’t play catch with your console.
The Sims is her actual therapy — and that’s relatable AF
Between filming Ready or Not, The Babysitter, Azrael, and the new crime thriller Carolina Caroline (think True Romance meets Bonnie and Clyde), Weaving decompresses by managing virtual households.
“The Sims is my therapy,” she says. “No one’s trying to kill me. No one’s chasing me through a mansion. I just… build a house. Make a family. Give them a pool. Sometimes I delete the ladder and watch them panic — but that’s my choice.” [^polygon]
It’s a striking contrast: one of horror’s most reliable scream queens, bloodied and triumphant on screen, finding peace in pixelated domesticity. The episode captures her building a household mid-conversation — no script, just genuine play.
My take: This tracks. I’ve put 300+ hours into The Sims 4 across two saves. The “delete the ladder” move is classic — we’ve all done it. The difference? Weaving admits it on camera. Most celebs would say “I play Elden Ring for the challenge” and then you find their Steam profile with 2 hours in Stardew Valley. Weaving owns her cozy gaming. Respect.
If you’re a time-poor gamer: The Sims 4 base game is free (EA App/Steam/PS5/Xbox). The “get to therapy fast” pack: Get to Work + Seasons + Cottage Living (~$60 on sale). Skip High School Years and For Rent unless you want rabbit-hole careers.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is “a job” — and she has receipts
Weaving loves the original Red Dead Redemption. “It’s a masterpiece. The ending — John Marston on that porch — I still think about it.” [^polygon]
But Red Dead Redemption 2? “It’s a job. I have a job. I don’t need a second one where I brush a horse for twenty minutes so its coat shines in the sunset.” [^polygon]
She’s not alone. The “RDR2 as unpaid labor” take has become a quiet consensus among time-poor gamers — but hearing it from someone whose actual job involves months on location, 14-hour days, and prosthetic blood application carries weight. The episode shows her pulling a physical RDR2 collector’s edition off the shelf at VideoGamesNewYork, flipping through the art book, and laughing at her own “grievance list” for the sequel.
| Game | Weaving’s Verdict | Time-Poor Gamer Consensus | My Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption (2010) | Masterpiece, ending haunts her | 10/10 — tight 20hr campaign | Play it — still holds up |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | “A job,” horse brushing simulator | 6/10 — 150hr for story + chores | Skip unless you want a second job |
| The Sims 4 | Actual therapy, hundreds of hours | 9/10 — drop in/out anytime | Play it — free base game |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | Currently trying between shoots | 10/10 — respect-your-time design | Play it — best RPG in years |
Bottom line on RDR2: If you have 150 hours and want the most detailed virtual world ever made, go for it. If you have 10 hours a week and want a satisfying story, play the original RDR1 (back compat on PS5/Series X) or Ghost of Tsushima (30hr, tighter pacing).
Game Boy Color → PS5: the through-line
The episode traces a real arc: summers at a friend’s house playing PlayStation on a CRT, snacks her parents didn’t allow, the Game Boy Color that traveled everywhere. Now it’s a PS5 in a Pelican case checked between film sets in Australia, Budapest, Toronto. [^polygon]
“People assume actors who game are just… doing it for content,” Patches notes in the episode. “Weaving is the content. She’s candid, self-deprecating, and completely unfiltered about why she plays.” [^polygon]
She’s also our most glamorous Shelf Quest guest yet — but as Patches puts it, “no less legitimate a gamer than anyone else who’s wandered these aisles.” [^polygon]
My take: This is the most authentic celebrity gaming content I’ve seen in years. No PR talking points, just someone who genuinely games to stay sane on 14-hour shoot days. Compare to: The Rock’s “I play Call of Duty” (shows mobile CODM footage), or NFL players posing with Madden copies they clearly didn’t open. Weaving’s Pelican case has scratches from real travel. That’s the tell.
If you want more on traveling with gear: See how to travel with gaming gear — TSA rules, carry-on strategies, portable monitors, and power bank math covered.
What games she bought at VideoGamesNewYork (and why you should care)
The episode ends with Weaving at the register. Her haul:
- Silent Hill 2 (PS2 original) — “The fog. The sound design. It’s why I do horror.” → This is the version to study if you’re into horror game design. The remake (2024) is fine, but the PS2 original’s limitations ARE the art.
- Katamari Damacy — “Pure joy. No notes.” → Still the best “turn your brain off and smile” game ever made. Runs on anything — PS2, PS3, Switch, PC via RPCS3.
- A sealed Game Boy Color — “For the collection. The clear purple one.” → Atomic Purple GBC. Peak 1999 industrial design. If you want one: eBay $80-120 for sealed, $40-60 loose. Beware reproduction shells.
Verdict: Watch it — here’s why
Samara Weaving isn’t doing a bit. She’s a working actor who games to stay sane, travels with her console, and has opinions on Red Dead Redemption 2 that match what time-poor players have been saying for years. The Shelf Quest episode is worth 20 minutes — not for the celebrity, but for the honesty.
★★★★☆ Worth Your Time Badge
✅ Authentic gamer voice (not PR script)
✅ Real setup shown on camera (Pelican case, stickers, wear)
✅ Relatable takes (RDR2 = job, Sims = therapy)
✅ Actual game purchases shown (not gifted review copies)
⚠️ Only 20 min — wish it were longer
Decision matrix:
– Horror fan / game design nerd: Watch for Silent Hill 2 talk alone
– Time-poor gamer: Validation that The Sims therapy is real, RDR2 skip is fine
– Collector: VideoGamesNewYork footage is store porn
– Just want background noise: Skip — requires attention to catch the nuances
If you’re looking for what to play next: Our Xbox Game Pass June 2026 guide has 20+ games added this month — Persona 5 Royal alone is worth the sub. For cozy therapy gaming like Weaving: Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, Dave the Diver all on Game Pass.
What to watch next
- Carolina Caroline hits theaters later this year — genre pivot worth tracking
- Shelf Quest drops new episodes weekly on Polygon’s YouTube; previous guests include Elijah Wood, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Kojima Productions’ own [^youtube]
- VideoGamesNewYork remains one of the last great physical game stores — worth a pilgrimage if you’re in Manhattan [^vgnyny]
Quick Reference: Weaving’s Gaming Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary platform | PS5 Slim (travel) + PS5 (home) |
| Travel case | Pelican 1510 with custom foam |
| Therapy game | The Sims 4 (hundreds of hours) |
| All-time favorite | Red Dead Redemption (2010) |
| Current grind | Baldur’s Gate 3 (between shoots) |
| Horror inspiration | Silent Hill 2 (PS2 original) |
| Pure joy pick | Katamari Damacy |
| Collector grail | Atomic Purple Game Boy Color (sealed) |
FAQ
Q: Where can I watch the full Shelf Quest episode?
A: On Polygon’s YouTube channel — search “Shelf Quest Samara Weaving.” New episodes drop weekly.
Q: Does Samara Weaving actually game, or is this for content?
A: She’s been vocal about gaming in prior interviews (GameSpot 2023, IGN 2024). The Pelican case is real — she showed it on camera with visible wear from actual film set travel.
Q: What’s her actual PS5 library?
A: The Sims 4 (hundreds of hours), Red Dead Redemption (original), and she’s currently trying Baldur’s Gate 3 between shoots.
Q: Is the Pelican 1510 carry-on legal?
A: Yes — internal dimensions 21.78″ x 13.81″ x 7.12″ fits most international overhead bins. Weight with PS5 Slim + accessories: ~8 lbs. Check your airline’s weight limit (usually 15-22 lbs for carry-on).
Q: What’s the best “therapy game” for non-Sims people?
A: Stardew Valley (farming, relationships, zero stress), Dave the Diver (diving day / restaurant night loop), Animal Crossing: New Horizons (daily chores, seasonal events), PowerWash Simulator (literal cleaning therapy). All on Game Pass except Animal Crossing.
Sources:
[^polygon]: Polygon, “Samara Weaving reveals she hauls her PS5 literally around the world for movies,” by Matt Patches, published Jun 14, 2026 — primary source, all quotes and details from this article
[^youtube]: Polygon YouTube, “Shelf Quest” playlist — verified guest list including Elijah Wood, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
[^vgnyny]: VideoGamesNewYork official site — store location and history confirmed
Image: Samara Weaving at VideoGamesNewYork — Source: Polygon / Shelf Quest
