The Random Encounter Podcast

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 184! Today we talk about the non-stop depressing layoffs on the Xbox side; Doom: The Dark Ages developer ID Software is the latest casualty. We also briefly discuss games that are abandoned on older hardware, simply unplayable through any modern, official means. We want them here. Now. Lastly, we have a *Deluxe* episode of Memory Cards between four contestants!

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James runs these:

Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast

YouTube: @therandomencounter

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Check out Adam on:

Reddit: u/Adam_KT_Games

Email: [email protected]

Discord: https://discord.gg/Dfcb5cavx

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Check out Ash on:

BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.social

X: @ash_destroyum

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Check out Bryant on:

X: @red_so_deep

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Check out GEAK on:

Instagram: @thegeakshow

Twitch: @thegeakshow

Web: www.thegeakshow.com

X: @thegeakshow

YouTube: YouTube.com/@thegeakshow

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Check out Phan on:

BlueSky: @phaneckswhy.bsky.social

X: @PhanEcksWhy

Twitch: phaneckswhy

YouTube: @phaneckswhy⁠

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 183! Today’s major topic is about Sony’s final nail in the coffin of physical media. With their announcement this week of ending production of physical PlayStation 5 games in 2028, what does this mean for the future of media in general as well as digital gaming libraries at large? Memory Cards Vol. VI is also at the end of the show!

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James runs these:

Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast

YouTube: @therandomencounter

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Check out Ash on:

BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.social

X: @ash_destroyum

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Check out Bryant on:

X: @red_so_deep

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Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 182! Today we discuss our impressions of Nintendo Switch 2’s latest premier release: Star Fox. Also, we go into the depressing current reality of the gaming industry between exorbitant budgets, unrealistic development time, tragic layoffs, and how everything is just getting more and more expensive. What’s the endgame here? Oh, we also have a really fun episode of Memory Cards at the end!

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James runs these:

Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast

YouTube: @therandomencounter

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Check out Ash on:

BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.social

X: @ash_destroyum

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Check out Bryant on:

X: @red_so_deep

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Check out Phan on:

BlueSky: @phaneckswhy.bsky.social

X: @PhanEcksWhy

Twitch: phaneckswhy

YouTube: @phaneckswhy⁠

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 181! Today we discuss our impressions of the Nintendo Direct from June 2026 with the obligatory deep dives into Kingdom Hearts IV and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026).

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James runs these:

Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast

YouTube: @therandomencounter

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Check out Ash on:

BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.social

X: @ash_destroyum

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Check out Bryant on:

X: @red_so_deep

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Check out Phan on:

BlueSky: @phaneckswhy.bsky.social

X: @PhanEcksWhy

Twitch: phaneckswhy

YouTube: @phaneckswhy⁠

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 180! Today we discuss our impressions of PlayStation’s latest State of Play (Dates of Play), Geoff Keighley’s Summer Games Fest, and Xbox’s Showcase. We were left thrilled with two and let down by one (guess which).

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James runs these:

Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast

YouTube: @therandomencounter

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Check out Ash on:

BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.social

X: @ash_destroyum

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Bryant on:

X: @red_so_deep

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Check out Phan on:

BlueSky: @phaneckswhy.bsky.social

X: @PhanEcksWhy

Twitch: phaneckswhy

YouTube: @phaneckswhy⁠

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 179! Today we discuss our initial impressions of Mina the Hollower, the Dragon Quest XII announcement, and the Steam Deck price hikes. We also have a very difficult episode of Memories Card (video game Jeopardy!)! GEAK joins us for this episode!

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James runs these:

Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast

YouTube: @therandomencounter

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Check out Ash on:

BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.social

X: @ash_destroyum

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Bryant on:

X: @red_so_deep

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Check out Phan on:

BlueSky: @phaneckswhy.bsky.social

X: @PhanEcksWhy

Twitch: phaneckswhy

YouTube: @phaneckswhy⁠

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 178! Today we discuss the Prologue demo of The Adventures of Elliot, Nintendo Switch 2 leaks, and the rise, fall, and stagnation of PlayStation. Between the upcoming State of Play, end of Destiny 2, and the sorry state of PlayStation’s account security, things are inconsistent at best. Lastly, we have a very combative episode of Memories Card (video game Jeopardy!)!

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James runs these:

Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast

YouTube: @therandomencounter

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Check out Ash on:

BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.social

X: @ash_destroyum

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Bryant on:

X: @red_so_deep

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Check out Phan on:

BlueSky: @phaneckswhy.bsky.social

X: @PhanEcksWhy

Twitch: phaneckswhy

YouTube: @phaneckswhy⁠

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 177! Today Phan gives his thoughts on the Steam Controller… we’re only one member away from all of us having one! Maybe next week? We also discuss the leak of the supposed new Xbox Elite Series 3 controller as well as a WiFi variant of the standard Xbox Series S/X controller, and lastly, we have a very combative episode of Memories Card (video game Jeopardy!)!

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James runs these:

Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast

YouTube: @therandomencounter

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Ash on:

BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.social

X: @ash_destroyum

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Bryant on:

X: @red_so_deep

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Phan on:

BlueSky: @phaneckswhy.bsky.social

X: @PhanEcksWhy

Twitch: phaneckswhy

YouTube: @phaneckswhy⁠

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 176! Today

we discuss our impressions of Valve’s new Steam Controller (spoiler: it’s amazing). We also get into Nintendo’s announcement of Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2– coming out on June 25th. Exciting times. We’re getting old.

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James runs these:

Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast

YouTube: @therandomencounter

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Check out Ash on:

BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.social

X: @ash_destroyum

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Bryant on:

X: @red_so_deep

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Phan on:

BlueSky: @phaneckswhy.bsky.social

X: @PhanEcksWhy

Twitch: phaneckswhy

YouTube: @phaneckswhy⁠

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 175! Today we discuss PlayStation’s controversy from the last week surrounding DRM. We also discuss our anticipation of the Steam Controller launch the night before.

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James runs these:

Twitch: therandomencounterpodcast

YouTube: @therandomencounter

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Check out Ash on:

BlueSky: @ashdestroyum.bsky.social

X: @ash_destroyum

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Bryant on:

X: @red_so_deep

----------------------------------------------------

Check out Phan on:

BlueSky: @phaneckswhy.bsky.social

X: @PhanEcksWhy

Twitch: phaneckswhy

YouTube: @phaneckswhy⁠