Spectator Mode Podcast - A Podcast For Gamers
Keith Mitchell
From the minds of The Outerhaven, comes Spectator Mode. A podcast devoted to covering all aspects of gaming and the gaming industry. Filled with news, reviews, interviews and a bunch of colorful debates coming to you, every week.
- 1 hour 17 minutesEp. 208 - CES 2026 Impressions | Highguard Hype | Gaming & Media Layoffs
In Episode 208 of Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew dives into what they’ve been playing lately before shifting gears into industry talk and firsthand event coverage.
Keith shares his experience attending CES 2026, including the tech, gaming hardware, and trends that caught his attention on the show floor. From there, the discussion turns to Highguard and whether anyone is truly hyped for it, followed by a serious conversation about the latest wave of gaming industry and games media layoffs and what it means for the future of coverage and development.
It’s a mix of games, tech, and real talk about where the industry is heading.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
01:59 – Games We’ve Played
27:35 – Keith Went to CES 2026
41:20 – Is Anyone Excited for Wildlight Entertainment's Highguard
51:45 – Gaming Industry and Gaming Media Layoffs
1:15:50 – OutroYou 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!
24 January 2026, 2:00 am - 1 hour 38 minutesEp. 207: GameStop Closes Stores | PC Gaming Just Got Super Expensive
We’re back! After taking a month-long break to recharge and deal with the holidays, the crew returns to break down a few topics that matter in the gaming world.
In Episode 207, we recap 2025, talk about what we’re looking forward to in 2026, discuss the rising prices of PC RAM and GPUs and how it impacts PC gaming, and cover GameStop closing even more stores. Plus, we hit a few other topics too… because of course we still manage to go off the rails.
But hey, that’s why you love us.
So yeah… welcome back!Episode 207 Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
10:37 – What We Have Been Playing
17:47 – 2025 Recap
52:58 – Wishes and Plans for 2026
1:09:22 – PC Gaming just got even more expensive
1:28:29 – GameStop Closing More Stores
1:37:00 – Outro#GamingPodcast #VideoGames #GamingNews #gameindustry
Make sure to listen, drop a comment, and share the episode if you enjoyed it. And we want to hear from you: what topics do you want us to cover in the next episode?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!
13 January 2026, 11:00 pm - 33 minutes 8 secondsEp. 206: Valve’s Steam Machine, SteamOS, and PC Gaming
Valve has officially revealed the new Steam Machine, and The Outerhaven breaks down everything you need to know in this bite-sized holiday episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast.
Is it a PC? Is it a console? We dig into why the community is split, what Valve’s goal might be, how this fits into the growing SteamOS ecosystem, and whether this mini-PC could shake up living-room gaming, hardware expectations, pricing predictions, and where the Steam Machine fits in the modern PC gaming landscape.#SteamMachine #Valve #SteamDeck #SteamOS #PCGaming
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!
25 November 2025, 1:00 am - 1 hour 31 minutesEp. 205: Arknights Endfield Beta II Hands-On, PS Portal Updates & Steam Machine Take Two
On Spectator Mode Podcast episode 205 we discuss about Activision stumbling with Call of Duty :Black Ops 7 and not letting players pause the single player campaign. We look at the confusing PS Portal updates that sparked a wave of comparisons to the Steam Deck. We also dive into the return of Valve's Steam Machine and what this could mean for the future of PC gaming in the living room.
On a more serious note, we talk about another round of layoffs at Crystal Dynamics and how these decisions continue to impact the gaming industry. Plus, we cover Arknights: Endfield, Six One Indie's Indie Game Awards, and what we have been playing and watching.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
02:11 - What’ve been playing & watching
16:54 - Scott's Arknight: Endfield adventure x
47:21 - Call of Duty Black Ops 7 blunders - can’t pause in single player campaign??? (link)
51:34 - Updates to PS Portal and silly Steam Deck comparisons
1:00:36 - Valve's Steam Machine take two
1:12:40 - More gaming layoffs - Crystal Dynamics
1:21:27 - PlayStation Mobile Games?
1:30:28 - We're on the Indie Games from Six One Indie
1:31:12 - OutroYou 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!
19 November 2025, 5:00 pm - 1 hour 7 minutesEp. 204: TwitchCon Security concerns, Xbox Ally Handheld Fumbles, Steam Next Fest
In this week’s Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew takes on the Xbox Ally handheld controversy and TwitchCon’s ongoing security problems. We also dive into the growing wave of misinformation across gaming, highlight standout demos from Steam Next Fest October 2025, and celebrate our appearance in Absolum’s accolades trailer, which is pretty damned cool for us, as well as upcoming updates for the fantastic game. #videogames #twitchcon #absolum #theouterhaven #spectatormodepodcast #xboxally #xboxgaming
So, hit that play button and enjoy our signature gaming and chaos fun!
- 00:00 - Intro / Say hello to the hosts
- 00:55 - So, what have you been playing
- 14:22 - What’s going on with the Xbox Ally handhelds?
- 28:50 - The rise of gaming journalism misinformation
- 38:33 - Emiru's assult at TwitchCon and what's going on with security.
- 47:42 - How was Steam Next Fest - The October 2025 Edition
- 01:06:01 - More updates coming to Absolum, we’re featured on the accolades trailer
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!
22 October 2025, 11:00 pm - 22 minutes 57 secondsSpecial - We Talk with Milestone About Reviving Arcade Racing in Screamer (2026)
Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Milestone, the studio behind several acclaimed racing titles, about its upcoming game Screamer. Originally a PC-only arcade racer, Screamer is being completely reimagined for modern platforms. This new version blends anime-inspired visuals, unique mechanics borrowed from fighting games, and an innovative dual-stick control system that lets you drift through corners with precision.
In this episode, we discuss why Milestone chose to bring Screamer back now, how anime influences the game’s design, and what fans can expect from this bold revival of an arcade classic.
#arcade #arcaderacing #racinggames #interview #screamer
Check out our written preview of Screamer - https://www.theouterhaven.net/screamer-preview-anime-arcade-racer-reboot
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!
18 October 2025, 5:00 pm - 52 minutes 20 secondsEP. 203: Is Xbox Game Pass Still the Best Deal in Gaming
With the announcement that Xbox is changing up Xbox Game Pass and raising prices, Keith, Jordan, Karl, and Scott discuss whether Xbox Game Pass is still the best deal in gaming or if perhaps it's time to move on from it. #xboxgamepass #videogames #gamingpodcast #rogxboxally
Check out some of our video game reviews
- Disgaea 7 Complete Review (Nintendo Switch 2)
- Digimon Story: Time Stranger Review (PS5)
- Hell is Us Review (PS5
- Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles Review (PC)
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!
5 October 2025, 3:00 pm - 1 hour 13 minutesEp. 202: Wolverine, ROG Ally, Code Vein 2, Nintendo Shake-Up, and TGS 2025
In this episode, the crew dives into a packed week of gaming news and industry shake-ups. We kick things off with our current playthroughs before jumping into the exciting Wolverine gameplay and Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered reveal during Sony’s State of Play. Xbox finally confirms the long-rumored ROG Ally prices, Code Vein 2 raises release date concerns, and Nintendo of America sees a major leadership change as its president retires.
We also tackle the buzz around Ananta being dubbed the “Anime GTA,” share our reactions to Tokyo Game Show 2025, and go on a fun tangent with Mega Man and Capcom talk before closing things out.
#SpectatorModePodcast #WolverineGame #ROGAlly #CodeVein2 #Nintendo #TGS2025 #DynastyWarriors3 #GamingPodcast #videogames #podcasts
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
01:22 – What have we been playing
16:22 – Wolverine gameplay & Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered reveal at State of Play
26:13 – Xbox ROG Ally prices confirmed & pre-orders live
30:54 – Code Vein 2 release date worries
35:03 – Nintendo of America’s President retires
39:53 – Is Ananta the “Anime Grand Theft Auto”?
41:44 – Tokyo Game Show 2025 reactions
59:43 – Mega Man & Capcom tangent
1:12:35 – Ending / OutroYou 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!
1 October 2025, 1:00 am - 1 hour 42 minutesEp. 201: Marvel Fighting Souls Impressions, and Nintendo Direct Reactions
In Episode 201 of the Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew dives into another packed week of gaming talk. Things kick off with a discussion about what everyone’s been playing and watching before shifting into deeper topics. The team debates whether Cronos: The New Dawn has what it takes to succeed, why handheld PCs still weigh more than the Switch 2, and if PC gaming should adopt baseline hardware requirements instead of the usual minimum/recommended spec lists.
The conversation heats up when news breaks that EVO has been sold to Saudi interests, raising questions about the future of the fighting game community. From there, the hosts share glowing impressions of the Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls beta and a more lukewarm response to Riot Games’ 2XKO.
Wrapping things up, the panel reacts to the September 2025 Nintendo Direct, breaking down the biggest reveals and what it means heading into the holiday season.
#marveltokonfightingsouls #nintendodirect #cronosthenewdawn #handheldgamingpc #handheldpcgaming #evo2025 #evo #riotgames #2xko #videogames #gamingpodcast
Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Intro
- 01:16 – Games Played & Stuff Watched
- 26:16 – Cronos: The New Dawn concerns
- 31:01 – Why handheld PCs weigh more than Switch 2
- 36:31 – Should PC Gaming have baseline specs?
- 50:48 – EVO sold to the Saudis
- 1:01:24 – Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls beta impressions
- 1:06:26 – Riot Games 2XKO thoughts
- 1:22:12 – September 2025 Nintendo Direct reactions
- 1:41:36 – Outro
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!
19 September 2025, 1:00 am - 1 hour 40 minutesEp. 200: PAX West 2025, Ninja Gaiden 4 and the ROG Xbox Ally X Hands-on
Episode 200 is here! We talk about the games we’ve been playing, Keith’s Rant Corner, and our big news—we’re now on Metacritic! We also cover the strange August 28th moment when Gears hit #1 on PlayStation and Helldivers 2 topped Xbox. Plus, full impressions from PAX West 2025, including the best games, highlights, and surprises from the show.
#ninjagaiden4 #rogxboxally #paxwest2025 #silksong #gamingpodcastTimestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:36 - Games Played & Stuff Watched
21:22 - Keith's Rant Corner returns (Gaming Journalism Frustrations)
33:22 - We finally got onto Metacritic
35:14 - Gears of War on PlayStation, Helldivers 2 on Xbox
46:02 - Ninja Gaiden 4, ROG Xbox Ally X hands on and PAX West 2025It's been a great ride, with 200 episodes and we got plenty left in the tank for another 200 more episodes. So, stay tuned! And thanks for tagging along with us!
Thanks for listening and watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please like, comment, and subscribe to 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!
3 September 2025, 9:00 pm - 1 hour 5 minutesEpisode 199 – Silksong Hype, PS5 Price Hike, & Xbox Ally Release Date
Welcome back to Spectator Mode Podcast! In episode 199, we cover the latest in gaming and give you our unfiltered thoughts. We discuss the games we’ve been playing and the shows we’ve been watching, dive into the never-ending Silksong hype, and discuss whether it’s actually worth it. Keith shares his hands-on impressions of Pragmata, Resident Evil Requiem, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword.
We also break down Sony raising the price of the PlayStation 5 in the U.S., why tariffs are to blame, and give a quick lesson on how tariffs actually work. Plus, we dig into the new Xbox Ally handheld, and Matt gives his take on Ra Ra Boom, the latest beat ’em up that might need a little more time in the oven.
Timestamps- 00:00 Intro
- 01:07 Games played and & stuff watched recently
- 16:29 Silksong hype and Gamescom date 2025 placement
- 30:48 PlayStation 5 price hike and tariffs
- 47:31 Xbox Ally gets a release date but no price
- 57:22 Ra Ra Boom Impressions
Thanks for listening and watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please like, comment, and subscribe to support the show.
#residentevil #pragmata #onimusha #videogames #gamingpodcast #gamecom2025 #playstation5
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!
22 August 2025, 6:00 pm - More Episodes? Get the App