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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 should finally add a “Buy Now” button. We also share our thoughts on Dynasty Warriors 3 and Star Wars: Galactic Racer , explain why Ace Combat 8 continues to impress us, and discuss this year’s Game of the Year contenders alongside GTA 6. Plus, we touch on layoffs across the game industry, online misinformation, and the games we’ve been playing. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Games we've played 15:19 - Just how good is Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered and Star Wars: Galactic Racer 34:47 - Why Ace Combat 8 is such an amazing game 41:18 - When good games get released in poor states 58:40 - What's going on with PlayStation 5 emulation and jailbreaking risks 1:06:17 - Should Steam have a Buy Now button 1:16:00 - Will GTA6 automatically game of the year 1:33:49 - Wolverine misinformation and online engagement 1:40:19 - More gaming industry layoffs and what's going to happen to the talent 1:52:04 - Ending thoughts and outro Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. Spotify – spoti.fi/2HsmTZ8Apple Music – https://apple.co/43Bz67AYouTube – Youtube.com/theouterhavenAmazon Music – https://amzn.to/3FE4bPMAnd 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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 why seeing longtime personalities shown the door hits differently. Then we turn our attention to Bungie, its promises to rebuild Destiny, the future of Marathon, and why we're not ready to celebrate until Bungie actually delivers. We also talk about what we've been playing, including Moonlighter 2, along with some questionable new gaming patents from XBOX and Sony. Timestamps: 00:00 - Spectator Mode Podcast introduction 01:20 - Keith's Moonlighter 2 impressions and recent plays 07:18 - Scott's Dragon Quest and RPG roundup 23:44 - Final Fantasy XIV, Blood Dungeon, and Destiny Spire 27:43 - Gaming advertising and payment patents 36:42 - Xbox reset, studio changes, and layoffs 51:28 - IGN layoffs and gaming media uncertainty 1:00:36 - Bungie's Destiny promises and Marathon concerns 1:10:34 - Dynasty Warriors 3 demo and podcast sign-off Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. Spotify – spoti.fi/2HsmTZ8Apple Music – https://apple.co/43Bz67AYouTube – Youtube.com/theouterhavenAmazon Music – https://amzn.to/3FE4bPMAnd 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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 hardware vendors, outdated demos, limited media access, and a growing tabletop presence that continues to push video games further into the background. Thankfully, the games delivered. We share our hands-on impressions of Gundam Rogue Orbit, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Final Fantasy Resonance, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, Persona 4 Revival, and several promising indie games. We also discuss PlayStation reportedly dropping Kojima’s Physint, Xbox stepping in as its new partner, PlayStation’s continued focus on live-service games, and the Nintendo Switch 2 VRR update that improves Elden Ring in docked mode. Was PAX West 2026 still worth attending, or is the convention losing what once made it special? Let us know what you think in the comments. Timestamps: 0:00 Podcast return and Gundam Rogue Orbit 1:16 Hands-on impressions and Gundam builds 4:15 Switch 2 VRR update and Elden Ring 6:10 Switch 2 handheld grip options 7:06 PlayStation drops Physint and chases live service 8:22 Xbox becomes Physint’s new partner 10:04 Why live-service games require constant investment 15:04 PlayStation’s shifting audience and ecosystem problems 21:04 PAX West’s disappointing convention setup 21:43 Empty floors and crowded indie developers 25:16 Limited media access and outdated demos 32:44 Delayed media hour and line-cutting frustrations 36:03 Dark halls, weak booths, and missing vendors 40:39 Concerns over PAX’s future after COVID 43:14 Tabletop focus leaves video games behind 47:36 Lenovo’s missing Legion Go and hardware exhibitors 53:00 Friday demos at NIS America 53:20 Gobble’s consumable scythe platforming 54:11 The Grim Reapers puzzle mechanics 55:06 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 early build 55:37 Saturday at FURYU and Square Enix 55:45 Crime Light and Animalith previews 57:48 Square Enix’s private media presentations 58:32 Dragon Quest Monsters creature fusion impressions 1:00:01 Final Fantasy VII Revelation hands-on 1:02:30 Queen’s Blood returns with deeper story content 1:05:11 Exploring Mideel and rapid airship travel 1:06:36 Fit system jobs and party customization 1:10:40 Mai’s guidance and sensory overload concerns 1:14:41 Final Fantasy Resonance and Dragon Quest Monsters 1:15:21 Speedrunning the Wind Shrine boss 1:16:23 Resonance attacks, staggering, and party strategy 1:20:20 Interviewing Resonance’s director and producer 1:23:04 Persona 4 Revival and Sunday indie games 1:23:33 Persona 4’s dungeon and battle demos 1:24:08 New engine, expressive models, and All-Out Attacks 1:27:44 Student projects and Backyard Baseball Check out our PAX West 2026 content over at https://www.theouterhaven.net/pax-west-2026-coverage-hub/. For more gaming news, reviews, previews, interviews, and convention coverage, visit The Outerhaven: https://www.theouterhaven.net/ #PAXWest2026 #FinalFantasyVIIRevelation #GundamRogueOrbit #SpectatorModePodcast #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! Apple PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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 the fighter struggled to find its audience. Elsewhere, Mortal Shell II is doing quite well following its release, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is running better on PC but still has some issues, and the Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter demo is finally here. We also touch on the latest GTA VI CyberLeek rumors, Dave Bautista potentially stepping into the role of Kratos, Anime NYC weekend, and, of course, the games we’ve been playing. 0:00 – Intro and games played 9:08 – Mortal Shell II follow-up review and patch concerns 14:00 – 2XKO support ending and fighting-game missteps 18:40 – Marvel Tōkon Fighting Souls outpaces 2XKO 22:36 – Marvel Tōkon PC performance and DRM problems 30:08 – Trails in the Sky Second Chapter demo 37:47 – Anime NYC news and convention plans 38:00 – Frustration with another Gundam SEED project 41:33 – Questionable GTA 6 CyberLeek and cryptocurrency scams 50:20 – Dave Bautista cast as Kratos 54:07 – Twitch training AI on streamer content Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. Spotify – spoti.fi/2HsmTZ8Apple Music – https://apple.co/43Bz67AYouTube – Youtube.com/theouterhavenAmazon Music – https://amzn.to/3FE4bPMSupport 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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 Marvel Tōkon hype, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, new Fire Emblem, Warrior Cats, and why people seriously need to stop calling Beast of Reincarnation a Soulslike. That and more on this episode of Spectator Mode Podcast! Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro and games we've played 10:49 - Let's talk about how good Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is 16:18 - Netflix’s Brief GTA 6 trailer exclusive nonsense 21:01 - Spider-Man: Brand New Day reactions 32:39 - Fire Emblem: Fortunes Weave Direct reap 43:51 - Warrior Cats JRPG reveal 46:36 - Why Every Action Game isn’t a Soulslike 54:26 - Electronic Arts is owned by the Saudis and how bad this deal is 1:01:25 - Podcast wrap-up and PAX West plans 1:06:16 - Closing remarks and outro Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. Spotify – spoti.fi/2HsmTZ8Apple Music – https://apple.co/43Bz67AYouTube – Youtube.com/theouterhavenAmazon Music – https://amzn.to/3FE4bPM#xbox #playstation #nintendo #electronicarts #soulslike #grandtheftauto6 #GTA6 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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 1:08 – Games played discussion 15:54 – Xbox Double Fine layoffs 27:04 – Marvel Tokon: Fight Souls Open Beta impressions 46:04 – EA layoffs and executive bonuses 56:57 – PlayStation and Xbox service outages 1:05:31 – Hardware shortages and GPU prices 1:12:20 – Closing comments & outro Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. Spotify – spoti.fi/2HsmTZ8Apple Music – https://apple.co/43Bz67AYouTube – Youtube.com/theouterhavenAmazon Music – https://amzn.to/3FE4bPMAnd 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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 still have a place in the market. Topics discussed include: 00:00 - Podcast intro and welcome 00:45 - Recent games played roundtable 15:13 - Brief Ghost in the Shell (2026) chat 18:35 - Echoes of Aincrad is a mixed bag discussion 35:07 - Lenovo enters the cloud gaming with the Legion C700 48:24 - Digital ownership and access debate 1:05:26 - Final recommendations and sign-off As more players build entirely digital libraries, the question of ownership becomes increasingly important. What happens to our games when storefronts, publishers, or online services disappear? #SpectatorModePodcast #EchoesOfAincrad #LenovoC700 #DigitalOwnership #videogames #gameshow 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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 the Xbox family, and left id Software a shell of what it used to be. We get into what actually happened, why it happened now, and what it says about where Xbox is headed as a platform. Simply put, this isn't just bad news for the people affected, though that's the part that matters most. It's a signal. And we're not convinced it's one Microsoft can walk back from easily. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro and episode focus 01:40 - Asha email and layoffs 04:52 - Senior talent losses discussed 10:25 - Projects spared, platform reset 17:46 - id Software and Bethesda fallout 23:46 - New Xbox structure and priorities 30:06 - Minecraft, digital future, preservation 43:02 - Reset timeline and sale rumors 45:46 - GTA 6 revenue tangent 52:01 - Final thoughts and sign-off Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. Spotify – spoti.fi/2HsmTZ8Apple Music – https://apple.co/43Bz67AYouTube – Youtube.com/theouterhavenAmazon Music – https://amzn.to/3FE4bPMAnd if you have questions for us or want us to discuss a topic, let us know by contacting us at [email protected]. #xbox #gaming #idsoftware #pcgaming #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! Apple PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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 losing more control over the games they buy? We discuss all of that and more in this episode of Spectator Mode Podcast. Read the article: https://www.theouterhaven.net/playstation-just-confirmed-that-its-physical-game-discs-are-dead-by-2028/ Timestamps [00:00:00] Opening banter and introductions [00:01:07] PlayStation announcement overview [00:03:07] Scott opposes digital-only move [00:17:25] Keith's PC gamer perspective [00:23:18] Retail, ownership, and preservation worries [00:31:53] Broader consequences and final takes [00:38:12] Closing plugs and outro #playstation #playstation6 #gaming #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! Apple PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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  frustrating its fans. What is going on? #xbox #gaming  Check out our website for more great content - https://www.theouterhaven.net Stop by our Discord channel and say hello - https://discord.gg/c7FPrj3MGj Follow us on Social Media BlueSky-  https://bsky.app/profile/theouterhaven.net Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theouterhaven Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theouterhavenproductions/ ==Subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications to never miss a video!== https://www.youtube.com/theouterhaven?sub_confirmation=1 Want to send us something to review or preview? The Outerhaven 12 Glenrock Drive Claymont, DE 19703 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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, 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 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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 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/ Follow us on Social Media BlueSky-  https://bsky.app/profile/theouterhaven.net Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theouterhaven Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theouterhavenproductions/ 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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! Apple PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music

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. 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 Follow us on Social Media BlueSky-  https://bsky.app/profile/theouterhaven.net Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theouterhaven Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theouterhavenproductions/ 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 PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon Music