The Fork In Your Ear Podcast Ep#203 End of Line

Hosts Tim K. Trotter and Nate Foo discuss video games, entertainment, technology, and personal life updates in a casual, banter-filled episode. They note this might be the last with the current cast due to Nate's upcoming personal changes.

Opening and Setup

• The episode starts with technical glitches (freezes during recording setup) and casual chit-chat about sleep, caffeine, and weather. They spin a "topic wheel" landing on video games.

Video Games (Main Focus)

• News and Rumors: Free Assassin's Creed Mirage expansion (funded by Saudi government, adding 5-10 hours of content, releasing Nov 18). Debunked rumor of Microsoft canceling a handheld due to AMD sales demands. Positive reviews for ROG Ally X handhelds ($800-$1100 models), praised as strong Steam Deck competitors but criticized for Xbox-PC library confusion. Windows 10 end-of-support (Oct 2025), pushing users to Windows 11 with workarounds for older hardware. Nintendo's unexplained animated short revealed as Pikmin-related, with plans for more in-house CGI shorts. Astroneer spin-off Star Seeker (2026, multiplayer-focused, handcrafted levels). Game Pass changes: PC tier crippled (no day-one releases, reduced library); premium tier required for full access, causing confusion and backlash.
• Games Mentioned: Space Adventure Cobra (Metroidvania adapting 1980s anime, recommended). Tron Identity and Catalyst (picked up by Tim). Fortnite Tron Ares skins (Tim frustrated by purchase issues due to timed exclusivity). Minecraft Tron pack. Death of Team Ninja founder Tomonobu Itagaki (58), praised for Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive despite controversies.
• Games Played: Nate enjoyed Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (funny, retro FPS with Michael Biehn voicing). Tim beat Hollow Knight (48 hours, 86% completion; critiques it harshly for "artificially hard" design, inconsistent controls, and cheap difficulty, calling it "the best game I don't recommend"). Started Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (highly praised Metroidvania). Brief mentions of Dead Cells and Castlevania for better controls.

Entertainment

• In-depth review of Tron Ares (spoilers avoided): Both hosts loved it as a fun, visually stunning sequel blending old and new grids. Praised direction, action (light cycles, disc fights), Nine Inch Nails soundtrack, and themes (AI, identity). Minor critiques: heavy-handed callbacks, some sound inconsistencies, Jared Leto's performance (good but uneven). Tim notes it's his wife's favorite Tron film; appeals to non-fans. Discussed CGI evolution and fan reactions.

Technology

• Apple surprise press release: M5 chip (best single-core performance ever), new M5 MacBook Pros and iPad Pros (available now, with faster SSDs). Apple TV+ rebranding to Apple TV (confusing due to hardware overlap); bundling with Peacock.
• Rivian CEO doubles down on skipping Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, accepting lost sales.
• Nate recommends CMF Headphone Pros ($100: excellent noise-canceling, on-device EQ, 60+ hour battery, replaceable ear cushions).
• Tim's ad-driven interests: Bearskin Hoodie 4.0 (tried one, praises pockets and fit but notes rain issues). Ridge Wallet Tracker Card ($45: slim, rechargeable Find My-compatible).
• Brief home improvement/Tool Time parody idea for a hypothetical YouTube channel.

Life Updates

• Nate shares his drinking problem; intake for rehab starts Monday (hoping for outpatient to avoid work disruption). Wife stayed elsewhere last night due to issues.
• Tim's doctor visit: Stage 2 hypertension (unexpected spike); quitting alcohol post-current stock, limiting caffeine to one morning cup. Pursuing heart scans for genetic concerns (related to late father's issues). Leg physical therapy ongoing. Mom moving in end-Oct/early-Nov. Haunted house crawl tomorrow (waiver-required, including friends he matchmade). Friends' new relationship progressing adorably (poems, dates). Bought Nine Inch Nails tickets; Mariners baseball hype noted.

The episode runs long (~3 hours), filled with humor, rants (e.g., Tim's Hollow Knight frustration), and mutual support. Ends with plans for editing and future episodes, uncertain due to Nate's situation.

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