The Random Encounter Podcast

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 174! Today we discuss all of the new changes coming down the pike thanks to new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. We also discuss how we’re all going to be buying Valve’s new Steam Controller when it inevitably comes out (thanks to an accidentally released video review).

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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 173! Today we discuss the recent announcement of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, as well as Capcom’s undeniably elite non-stop gaming releases in 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 172! Today we share our picks for an “About Me” video game template that got some attention on social media this week. We try not to go over 45 seconds per entry but sometimes fail!

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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: @phaneckswhy⁠https://grids.fun/t/about-me-video-games-dcefq

Welcome to The Random Encounter Podcast Episode 172! Today we take turns going over our picks for a template that got some some notice on social media this week (https://grids.fun/t/about-me-video-games-dcefq). We try our best go take no longer than 45 seconds per pick, but sometimes fail!

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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 171! Today is a James and Bryant only episode as we discuss some light news items, but mainly, Final Fantasy. We go into detail about our introduction to the series (1997’s Final Fantasy VII) as well as impressions of the entries since.

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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 170: Today we talk about the recent price increases for PlayStation products, NateTheHate’s supposed Nintendo leaks, and finally the Xbox Partner Preview from March 26th, 2026.

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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 169! Today we talk about the recent upgrade to PS5 Pro’s PSSR, Nintendo Switch 2’s newly implemented “Boost Mode” for Nintendo Switch backwards compatibility, as well as memories of the Game Boy Advance as it hits its 25th anniversary.

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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 168! Today we finish our thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem as all of us who played it, beat it. We also give our impressions on Microsoft’s attempted gaming redemption with the announcement of “Project Helix”.

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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 167! Today we discuss the newest entry in Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise with Resident Evil Requiem. We discuss other things too, but lets be real— this week’s episode is based in Raccoon City.

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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 166! Today we discuss the further erosion of AAA first-party gaming releases with the closing of Sony’s port/remake studio, Bluepoint. In a way, this also relates to Xbox’s leadership shakeup with Sarah Bond resigning and Phil Spencer retiring. What implications do these moves have on the further destruction of the Xbox brand and gaming at large? Lastly, is $19.99 too much for Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green rom releases on Nintendo Switch?

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

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