Spectator Mode Gaming Podcast
by Spectator Mode Podcast
Catch up with The Outerhaven team as they talk about news, reviews, and open table discussions regarding the video game and geek culture industry. Check out more great content at www.theouterhaven.net. Contact us at [email protected]
Episodes
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XBOX Leadership Shakeup, Switch 2 Emulation & Sam Altman Wants Your RAM | Spectator Mode Ep. 236
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the Spectator Mode Podcast! We know we've been gone for a while, but you can blame our fearless leader, who's currently on the reserve list. Either way, we're back, and we've got plenty to talk about. This time, we're discussing the recent XBOX leadership…
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Ep. 235 – Is GTA 6 Already GOTY? Broken Games & PlayStation 5 Emulation
Send us Fan Mail On Spectator Mode Podcast Ep. 235, we dive into several discussions around how games are released, bought, and preserved. We talk about why some genuinely good games still launch in rough states, the risks surrounding PlayStation emulation and jailbreaking, and whether Steam…
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Ep. 234 - XBOX Restructures Again, IGN Takes Another Hit, We Don’t Trust Bungie Yet
Send us Fan Mail On Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 234, we tackle another round of XBOX restructuring and layoffs, including the changes affecting studios such as Turn 10, Obsidian, Rare, and Halo. We also discuss the latest IGN layoffs, what they say about the current state of gaming media, and...
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Ep. 233 - PAX West 2026 Was a Mixed Bag, Gundam Rogue Orbit is Great
Send us Fan Mail We’re back after a two-week hiatus, and after tackling PAX West 2026, we have plenty to discuss on Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 233. This week, we break down why PAX West 2026 was a disappointment from a media and convention standpoint, including empty show floors, missing...
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Ep 232 - Twitch’s AI Opt-Out Dilemma & The End of 2XKO
Send us Fan Mail On Spectator Mode Podcast Ep. 232, we’re talking about Twitch’s new AI training opt-out dilemma, what it means for creators, and why the whole situation has us asking questions. We also get into the end of 2XKO, with Riot Games winding down development by the end of 2026 after…
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Ep. 231 - EA’s New Owners and Netflix’s Ridiculous GTA 6 Stunt
Send us Fan Mail EA has officially changed hands, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund taking control of one of gaming’s biggest publishers. We dig into what that could mean for EA, while also trying to understand Netflix’s bizarre six-hour GTA VI trailer exclusivity stunt. We also talk...
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Ep. 230 – Marvel Tōkon Impressions, Xbox and PlayStation Go Down
Send us Fan Mail On Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 230, we share our Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls beta impressions and discuss the recent Xbox and PlayStation outages. We also cover Double Fine’s layoffs, the return of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and EA’s latest controversy. Timestamps: 0:00 – Into...
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Ep. 228 - Echoes of Aincrad, Lenovo Legion C700 & Digital Ownership
Send us Fan Mail On Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 228, we discuss why Echoes of Aincrad has become such a polarizing game and whether the criticism surrounding it is justified. We also examine Lenovo’s rumored C700 cloud gaming handheld and question whether dedicated cloud-streaming devices…
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Ep. 227 - Let's Talk About All The Horrible Stuff Xbox Is Doing
Send us Fan Mail Xbox had a rough couple of weeks, and honestly, "rough" might be underselling it. On this week's episode, Scott and Keith, break down the fallout from Microsoft's latest round of cuts, a gut-punch that cost an enormous number of people their jobs, sent four studios packing from…
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Ep. 225: PlayStation Ending Physical Games? What Gamers Need to Know | Spectator Mode Podcast
Send us Fan Mail PlayStation’s future will not include physical games, with Sony reportedly ending physical game production in 2028. But what does that mean for gamers, collectors, consumers, and the industry? Will games become more expensive? Will the second-hand market disappear? Are players...
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Ep. 223 - What the heck is Xbox Doing By Raising Prices Again
Send us Fan Mail Nine months after Xbox raised the prices on its Xbox Series X|S consoles, the console maker has revealed that prices are going up again. As of August 1, 2026, all Xbox consoles will see a massive price hike, to where it's going to be harder to justify purchasing an Xbox, while...
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Ep. 222: Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and Steam Machine Talk
Send us Fan Mail This week on The Spectator Mode Podcast, we kick things off with what we’ve been playing before diving back into the rest of our Summer Game Fest 2026 coverage. That includes the stuff we couldn’t talk about last time, such as Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, Star Wars: Galactic Racer…
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Ep. 221 - Our Summer Game Fest 2026 Recap Was Worth The Wait
Send us Fan Mail Keith and Scott attended Summer Game Fest 2026, and got to check out some of amazing upcoming titles, and play a number of them. However, due to embargos we had to delay this episode of the show until we could talk about certain things. This one is a bit late due being in LA and...
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EP. 220 - Unreal Engine 6 Revealed, But Can It Fix UE5’s Biggest Problem?
Send us Fan Mail Spectator Mode Podcast returns with a packed episode as we talk about the games we’ve been playing, Epic Games revealing Unreal Engine 6, Bungie adding PvE modes for Marathon, our impressions of Forza Horizon 6, and why PlayStation’s PC strategy continues to frustrate players. We...
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Ep. 218 - Xbox Game Pass Changes, Steam Controller News, Legion Go 2 Sticker Shock
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Spectator Mode, we discuss a packed week of gaming and tech news, including Valve finally giving the new Steam Controller a release date, while still leaving everyone wondering what is going on with the long-rumored Steam Machine. We also talk about Xbox Game...
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Ep. 216 - PlayStation Price Hike, Marathon Backlash, Mario Galaxy Movie Impressions
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the Spectator Mode Podcast. In this episode, we get into the buzz around the amazing Super Mario Galaxy movie, the growing frustration surrounding Marathon, and why gaming is starting to feel more expensive than ever as Nintendo and PlayStation raise prices.…
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Ep. 215 - Epic Games Drama, PS5 Price Problems & Xbox Shifts Strategy
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 215 of Spectator Mode Podcast, we get into a rough week for the gaming industry, starting with Epic Games and how former employees were handled, and why that situation doesn’t sit right. We also break down the recent PS5 price changes and why this trend could be bad…
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Ep. 214 - Jeff Kaplan Talks Blizzard, PC Gaming Woes & Spider-Man: Brand New Day Hype
Send us Fan Mail In Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 214, we talk about what we’ve been playing, break down Crimson Desert and its approach to diversity, and discuss the current state of the PC gaming market. We also dive into Jeff Kaplan’s comments about Blizzard and game development, before...
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Ep.213 - Mega Man Recast, Nagoshi Studio in Trouble, Project Helix Details
Send us Fan Mail Spectator Mode Episode 213 is here! After talking about what we've been playing, we dive into new details on Microsoft's Project Helix, Ben Diskin's decision to walk away from Mega Man: Override over Capcom's refusal to offer a union contract, and Nagoshi Studio facing a funding...
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Ep. 212 - Nintendo Sues US Govt | Project Helix | PlayStation Exits PC Gaming
Send us Fan Mail This week on Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 212, we’re joined by Jeff Young from Analog Stick Gaming to discuss some of the biggest topics in gaming right now. We talk about Valve’s latest update on the Steam Machine, Xbox’s newly revealed Project Helix gaming device, and whether...
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EP. 211 - Xbox Leadership Shakeup, EVO Controversy, Bluepoint Games Closed
Send us Fan Mail On Spectator Mode Podcast episode 211, we discuss major Xbox shakeup as Phil Spencer retires, Sarah Bond exits, and Microsoft appoints a former AI executive to lead the brand. We also dive into the controversy surrounding North America’s biggest fighting game tournament now being...
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Ep. 210 – Discord Goes Big Brother, Riot’s 2XKO Layoffs, Nioh 3 Isn’t Elden Ring
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Spectator Mode 210, we break down Microsoft’s reported plans to merge PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass as part of its 2026 strategy, and what that could mean for players. We also dive into Discord’s global age-verification rollout and the privacy concerns...
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Ep. 209 - Xbox Developer Direct | New Dragon Ball Game | GDC 2026 Concerns
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Spectator Mode Podcast! In episode 209 we dig into big shifts across the gaming industry, including reports that the Game Developers Conference may be seeing a drop in international attendance and what that means for developers worldwide. We also break down the...
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Ep. 208 - CES 2026 Impressions | Highguard Hype | Gaming & Media Layoffs
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 208 of Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew dives into what they’ve been playing lately before shifting gears into industry talk and firsthand event coverage. Keith shares his experience attending CES 2026, including the tech, gaming hardware, and trends that caught his...
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Ep. 207: GameStop Closes Stores | PC Gaming Just Got Super Expensive
Send us Fan Mail We’re back! After taking a month-long break to recharge and deal with the holidays, the crew returns to break down a few topics that matter in the gaming world. In Episode 207, we recap 2025, talk about what we’re looking forward to in 2026, discuss the rising prices of PC RAM…
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Ep. 206: Valve’s Steam Machine, SteamOS, and PC Gaming
Send us Fan Mail Valve has officially revealed the new Steam Machine, and The Outerhaven breaks down everything you need to know in this bite-sized holiday episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast. Is it a PC? Is it a console? We dig into why the community is split, what Valve’s goal might be, how...
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Ep. 205: Arknights Endfield Beta II Hands-On, PS Portal Updates & Steam Machine Take Two
Send us Fan Mail On Spectator Mode Podcast episode 205 we discuss about Activision stumbling with Call of Duty :Black Ops 7 and not letting players pause the single player campaign. We look at the confusing PS Portal updates that sparked a wave of comparisons to the Steam Deck. We also dive into...
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Ep. 204: TwitchCon Security concerns, Xbox Ally Handheld Fumbles, Steam Next Fest
Send us Fan Mail In this week’s Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew takes on the Xbox Ally handheld controversy and TwitchCon’s ongoing security problems. We also dive into the growing wave of misinformation across gaming, highlight standout demos from Steam Next Fest October 2025, and celebrate our...
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Special - We Talk with Milestone About Reviving Arcade Racing in Screamer (2026)
Send us Fan Mail Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Milestone, the studio behind several acclaimed racing titles, about its upcoming game Screamer. Originally a PC-only arcade racer, Screamer is being completely reimagined for modern platforms. This new version blends anime-inspired...
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EP. 203: Is Xbox Game Pass Still the Best Deal in Gaming
Send us Fan Mail With the announcement that Xbox is changing up Xbox Game Pass and raising prices, Keith, Jordan, Karl, and Scott discuss whether Xbox Game Pass is still the best deal in gaming or if perhaps it's time to move on from it. #xboxgamepass #videogames #gamingpodcast #rogxboxally Check...
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Ep. 202: Wolverine, ROG Ally, Code Vein 2, Nintendo Shake-Up, and TGS 2025
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the crew dives into a packed week of gaming news and industry shake-ups. We kick things off with our current playthroughs before jumping into the exciting Wolverine gameplay and Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered reveal during Sony’s State of Play. Xbox finally…
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Ep. 201: Marvel Fighting Souls Impressions, and Nintendo Direct Reactions
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 201 of the Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew dives into another packed week of gaming talk. Things kick off with a discussion about what everyone’s been playing and watching before shifting into deeper topics. The team debates whether Cronos: The New Dawn has what it...
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Ep. 200: PAX West 2025, Ninja Gaiden 4 and the ROG Xbox Ally X Hands-on
Send us Fan Mail Episode 200 is here! We talk about the games we’ve been playing, Keith’s Rant Corner, and our big news—we’re now on Metacritic! We also cover the strange August 28th moment when Gears hit #1 on PlayStation and Helldivers 2 topped Xbox. Plus, full impressions from PAX West 2025,...
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Episode 199 – Silksong Hype, PS5 Price Hike, & Xbox Ally Release Date
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Spectator Mode Podcast! In episode 199, we cover the latest in gaming and give you our unfiltered thoughts. We discuss the games we’ve been playing and the shows we’ve been watching, dive into the never-ending Silksong hype, and discuss whether it’s actually worth...
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Ep. 197 - EVO 2025 Highlights, Dynasty Warriors 25th Anniversary & NSFW Games
Send us Fan Mail This week on the Spectator Mode Podcast, we start with what we’ve been playing and watching lately, then celebrate the Dynasty Warriors 25th anniversary and its lasting impact on the hack-and-slash genre. We also dive into Itch.io’s decision to relist NSFW games — but only the…
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Ep. 196 – Itch.io Purges NSFW Games, Sony Sues Tencent, and the Industry Fallout
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 196 of the Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew returns to break down another wild week in gaming. We kick things off with what we've been playing and watching before diving into whether The Outer Worlds 2 is shaping up to be another case of Microsoft marketing misfires....
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Ep. 195 – Windows 10 Support Ends for FFXIV, NSFW Games Face Pressure
Send us Fan Mail We're back with another episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast, where the crew dives into the latest games we've been playing, the shows we've been watching, and a few hot-button topics that got the internet talking. In Episode 195, we kick things off with a rundown of the games...
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Ep. 194 - From Superman to Scams, and the State of Multiplayer in 2025
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Spectator Mode Podcast, your go-to show for real talk on gaming, geek culture, and everything in between. In episode 194, the crew talks about the new Superman movie, ASUS’s ROG Xbox Ally leak, multiplayer gaming struggles in games such as Marvel Rivals and Elden...
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EP. 193 - Mindseye is a failure and does the FGC Need a Saviour
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Spectator Mode Podcast, your go-to show for real talk on gaming, geek culture, and everything in between. In Episode 193, the crew dives deep into a chaotic mix of news, hot takes, and frustration. Here are our topics for this week: 00:00 – Intro 02:10 – What We...
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EP. 192: Xbox has a meltdown & the Stop Killing Games movement
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 192 of the Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew dives into a mix of gaming chatter, tech talk, and a dash of nostalgia. We kick things off with what we’ve been playing and watching lately before moving into a bizarre discussion on putting electronics into confined spaces...
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EP. 191: ROG Xbox Handheld Price Talk, AMD & Xbox PR Hype and Our Beginnings
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 191 of the Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew returns to talk about the rumored pricing of the Asus ROG Xbox handhelds, the newly announced AMD and Xbox partnership (and why we think it's more PR than progress), and whether a game’s price should factor into review…
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EP. 190: SGF 2025, Fighting Games, and Steam Next Fest Highlights
Send us Fan Mail We’re back! In this episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast, we dive into our hands-on time at Summer Game Fest 2025 Play Days, talk about the state of fighting games with all the big announcements (yes, including Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls), and share what caught our attention...
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Ep. 189: Summer Game Fest 2025 & Witcher 4 Tech Breakdown
Send us Fan Mail Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 189 is finally here — yeah, we know it's a little late. Between our trip to Summer Game Fest 2025 and things got a bit chaotic. But we're back with a stacked episode! This week, we dive into our predictions for Summer Game Fest 2025 (some of which…
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Ep. 188 - Stellar Blade PSN Woes | Nintendo EULA Nonsense | Gamers vs Expensive Games Again
Send us Fan Mail Ready for some spicy gaming talk? Well, that's what we have in this latest episode, as the crew discusses the frustration about the PC version of Stellar Blade and PSN woes, again. We can't forget Nintendo's recent change to its EULA and what that means for anyone who owns a…
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Ep. 187: PS5 Price Hike Drama, Stellar Blade Hits PC, PAX East 2025 Recap
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 187 of the Spectator Mode Podcast, we dive into this week’s biggest stories in gaming! We talk about the shocking return of Giant Bomb, clear up the Steam hack rumors, and break down EA's controversial return-to-office policy. Sony warns of a PS5 price hike, DOOM: The...
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Ep. 186: Are $80 Games the New Norm? | GTA VI Delayed | Gaming Journalism Shakeup
Send us Fan Mail Spectator Mode Podcast Ep. 186 is here! This week, we break down some of the biggest topics shaking up the gaming world: – The rising cost of games: Is $80 the new norm? – GTA VI delayed to 2026 — should we be surprised? – Elden Ring Nightreign won’t support crossplay, and fans...
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Ep. 185: Capcom’s Back, Forza’s on PS5, and Sony Wants More Money
Send us Fan Mail In the latest episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew kicked things off by discussing the games they’ve been playing and the shows they’ve been watching. The crew then dove into their initial impressions of the highly anticipated Capcom Fighting Collection 2, exploring…
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Ep. 184 - Tariffs Affecting Gaming, Switch 2 Drama, Tron is Back and All New Venom is Terrible
Send us Fan Mail On Spectator Mode Podcast episode 184, the crew kicks things off by diving into the games they’ve been playing and the shows and movies they've been watching. One of the big highlights is the debut trailer for Tron: Ares, which has the team buzzing with mixed excitement and...
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Ep. 183 - Our thoughts and impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a very impromptu episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast. To be honest, we totally didn't expect us all to be available to watch the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, let alone have so many options about it, but nonetheless, here we are. And, well, we definitely have some stuff…
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Ep. 182 - Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and the Return of Game Informer
Send us Fan Mail On Spectator Mode Podcast episode 182, we dive into the latest gaming buzz, starting with our excitement about heading back to Summer Game Fest before diving into the big news—Game Informer is back! Dotemu and Tribute Games also made headlines with their reveal of Marvel Cosmic...
About this show
Catch up with The Outerhaven team as they talk about news, reviews, and open table discussions regarding the video game and geek culture industry. Check out more great content at www.theouterhaven.net. Contact us at [email protected]
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