Spectator Mode Gaming Podcast

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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, and more.

We also discuss Sega’s recent financials, Bungie revealing Marathon’s new Vault Breaker PvE mode, and why the upcoming Steam Machine has us feeling more than a little frustrated.

Give the episode a watch, let us know what you think in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more gaming, tech, and geek culture discussions from The Outerhaven.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
01:01 Mortal Shell II Open Beta impressions
01:54 Final Fantasy XIV, Trails Through Daybreak, and Steam Demos
03:25 Blood Dungeon Demo impressions
06:39 Lunistice impressions
09:40 Echoes of the End impressions
15:21 Arknights: Endfield
16:47 Gaming Chat With an Uber Driver
23:36 Keith's Son Wants to Play Dark Souls II Without Him
25:36 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 SGF 2026 Impressions
53:19 Star Wars: Galactic Racer SGF 2026 Impressions
1:11:54 Sega Financials and Underperforming Games
1:22:07 Marathon Vault Breaker PvE Mode Revealed
1:28:39 Steam Machine Controversy
1:53:27 Final Thoughts and Outro

#dragonballxenoverse3 #starwarsgalacticracer #marathon #summergamefest #steammachine

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You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, as it will go a long watch in more people discovering us. Thank you!

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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 some of the stuff we discussed was still under NDA/embargo at the time. So, enjoy our Summer Game Fest 2026 recap.

Timestamps coming soon!

Head over to our website to check out our Summer Game Fest content: https://www.theouterhaven.net/tag/summer-game-fest-2026/


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Support the show

You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, as it will go a long watch in more people discovering us. Thank you!

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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 also get into why exclusives still matter in today’s gaming landscape and break down the latest Echoes of Aincrad system trailer.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction
01:45 - Games we’ve played
12:13 - Epic Games revealed Unreal Engine 6
23:17 - Bungie to add PVE modes to Marathon
31:32 - Forza Horizon 6 impressions
52:00 - PlayStation continues to frustrate PC gamers
1:03:20 - Yes, exclusives still matter
1:32:01 - Echoes of Aincrad system trailer

Support the show

You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, as it will go a long watch in more people discovering us. Thank you!

• Apple Podcasts
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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 Pass changes, Xbox reportedly looking at adjustments to its exclusivity deals, recent PlayStation DRM concerns, and the price hikes surrounding the Lenovo Legion Go 2 and Legion Go S. Plus, The Outerhaven made an appearance in the MOUSE: P.I. For Hire accolades trailer, which was a pretty cool moment for the site.

Topics Discussed:

-The Outerhaven appears in the MOUSE: P.I. For Hire accolades trailer
-Valve reveals the Steam Controller release date
-Still no real update on the Steam Machine
-Xbox Game Pass changes
-Xbox exclusivity deal discussions
-Recent PlayStation DRM concerns
-Lenovo Legion Go 2 and Legion Go S price hikes

For more gaming news, reviews, interviews, and tech coverage, visit The Outerhaven: https://www.theouterhaven.net

#SteamController #XboxGamePass #PlayStation #LenovoLegionGo #GamingPodcast #SpectatorMode #TheOuterhaven

Support the show

You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, as it will go a long watch in more people discovering us. Thank you!

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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. There’s a lot to unpack here, and honestly, it feels like the conversation around gaming is shifting in a big way.

#GamingPodcast #marathongame  #mariobrosmovie #theouterhaven #playstation 

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:16 – Classic RPGs deserve a comeback (Breath of Fire IV)
02:07 – What we’ve been playing
15:27 – Remembering Yoshihisa Kishimoto
17:17 – Super Mario Galaxy movie buzz and expectations
35:04 – Marathon backlash and community frustration
46:53 – Gaming is getting more expensive (Nintendo & PlayStation price hikes)
1:07:16 – Closing


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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theouterhaven
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Support the show

You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, as it will go a long watch in more people discovering us. Thank you!

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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 news for gamers long-term, along with Xbox quietly backing away from its “Everything is an Xbox” push. On top of that, we cover the latest Xbox Partner Preview, Matt’s experience at PAX East 2026, and what we’ve been playing.


Timestamps

00:00 – Intro / Housekeeping
01:12 – Games We’ve Played
15:59 – Epic Games & Tim Sweeney Controversy
29:51 – Matt’s PAX East 2026 Experience
48:20 – PS5 Price Changes & Why This Is Dangerous
58:49 – Xbox Kills “Everything is an Xbox” Campaign
1:09:06 – Xbox Partner Preview Breakdown
1:18:18 – Last Minute Topics

#spectatormode #gamingpodcast #theouterhaven #epicgames #playstation5 #timsweeny

Support the show

You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, as it will go a long watch in more people discovering us. Thank you!

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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 wrapping things up with our reactions to the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer.

If you’re into gaming, industry talk, and a bit of hype, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro / Housekeeping
00:53 – Games We’ve Played
16:35 – Crimson Desert and Its Diversity
30:41 – The PC Gaming Market Continues to Get Worse
42:14 – Jeff Kaplan Talks Blizzard & Game Development
1:00:10 – Spider-Man: Brand New Day Trailer Reactions
1:15:28 – Outro

#SpectatorMode #GamingPodcast #CrimsonDesert #PCGaming #JeffKaplan #Blizzard #SpiderMan #GamingNews #TheOuterhaven

Support the show

You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, as it will go a long watch in more people discovering us. Thank you!

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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 crisis that could kill Gang of Dragon before it launches.

00:00 - Intro
01:35 - What we played this week (keep it to 3 games) 
10:44 - Project Helix gets more details
27:48 - Ben Diskin is not continuing as Mega Man
34:45 - Nagoshi Studio Has danger of getting funding pulled in May from NetEase

Check out our other Spectator Mode Podcast episodes - https://www.theouterhaven.net/podcasts/spectatormodepodcast/

#GamingPodcast #MegaMan #NagoshiStudio #projecthelix #xbox #

Support the show

You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, as it will go a long watch in more people discovering us. Thank you!

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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 PlayStation might be walking back its push into PC gaming. We also get into the growing issue of AI-written game reviews appearing in gaming journalism and the reveal of a new Sword Art Online game.

Along the way, we also discuss what we’ve been playing this week and share our thoughts on where the industry seems to be heading.
#projecthelix #nintendo #playstation #gaming #podcast #theouterhaven 

Timestamps:

1:00 – What games we played this week
24:18 – Valve gives an update on the Steam Machine release date
26:08 – Nintendo sues the US Government over tariffs
31:44 – Is PlayStation killing its PC gaming initiative?
52:55 – Xbox reveals Project Helix, its Xbox/PC gaming device
1:25:00 – AI game reviews are starting to appear in gaming journalism
1:38:00 – A new Sword Art Online game, Echoes Of Aincrad Announced 

#pcgaming #playstation #xbox #projecthelix #nintendo #gamingpodcast

Support the show

You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, as it will go a long watch in more people discovering us. Thank you!

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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 owned by Saudi investors, and why much of the FGC is pushing back. On top of that, we discuss Sony shutting down Bluepoint Games, the long-awaited return of .hack, and Bungie’s aggressive new plans to combat cheaters ahead of Marathon. It is a packed episode with a lot to unpack.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro / What we've been playing lately.
• 10:54 - .hack returns (.hack//Z.E.R.O)
• 24:07 - Sony shuts down Bluepoint Games
• 35:08 - Bungie Details Anti-Cheat Plans for Its Extraction Shooter Marathon
• 45:49 - Xbox Leadership Shakeup
• 1:06:10 - RTS fully owns EVO now
• 1:15:03 - Stop Making Steam Machine Videos That Ignore Reality
• 1:16:23 - Outro

Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music.

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And if you have questions for us or want us to discuss a topic, let us know by contacting us at [email protected].

Support the show

You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast, as it will go a long watch in more people discovering us. Thank you!

• Apple Podcasts
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Amazon Music