- 52 minutes 48 secondsEp. 227 - Let's Talk About All The Horrible Stuff Xbox Is Doing
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-offThanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music.
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And 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
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!
9 July 2026, 10:00 pm - 39 minutes 50 secondsEp. 225: PlayStation Ending Physical Games? What Gamers Need to Know | Spectator Mode Podcast
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
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!
2 July 2026, 12:00 pm - 17 minutes 44 secondsEp. 223 - What the heck is Xbox Doing By Raising Prices Again
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
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27 June 2026, 2:00 am - 1 hour 54 minutesEp. 222: Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and Steam Machine Talk
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
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!
24 June 2026, 3:00 pm - 1 hour 41 minutesEP. 220 - Unreal Engine 6 Revealed, But Can It Fix UE5’s Biggest Problem?
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 trailerYou 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 June 2026, 5:00 pm - 1 hour 58 minutesEp. 221 - Our Summer Game Fest 2026 Recap Was Worth The Wait
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/
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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theouterhavenproductions/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 June 2026, 5:00 pm - 1 hour 29 minutesEp. 218 - Xbox Game Pass Changes, Steam Controller News, Legion Go 2 Sticker Shock
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 #TheOuterhavenYou 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 May 2026, 3:00 pm - 1 hour 7 minutesEp. 216 - PlayStation Price Hike, Marathon Backlash, Mario Galaxy Movie Impressions
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
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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theouterhavenproductions/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!
24 May 2026, 2:00 pm - 1 hour 23 minutesEp. 215 - Epic Games Drama, PS5 Price Problems & Xbox Shifts Strategy
In Episode 215 of Spectator Mode Podcast, we get into a rough week for the gaming industry, starting with Epic Games and how former employees were handled, and why that situation doesn’t sit right. We also break down the recent PS5 price changes and why this trend could be bad news for gamers long-term, along with Xbox quietly backing away from its “Everything is an Xbox” push. On top of that, we cover the latest Xbox Partner Preview, Matt’s experience at PAX East 2026, and what we’ve been playing.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro / Housekeeping
01:12 – Games We’ve Played
15:59 – Epic Games & Tim Sweeney Controversy
29:51 – Matt’s PAX East 2026 Experience
48:20 – PS5 Price Changes & Why This Is Dangerous
58:49 – Xbox Kills “Everything is an Xbox” Campaign
1:09:06 – Xbox Partner Preview Breakdown
1:18:18 – Last Minute Topics#spectatormode #gamingpodcast #theouterhaven #epicgames #playstation5 #timsweeny
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!
1 April 2026, 3:00 pm - 1 hour 16 minutesEp. 214 - Jeff Kaplan Talks Blizzard, PC Gaming Woes & Spider-Man: Brand New Day Hype
In Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 214, we talk about what we’ve been playing, break down Crimson Desert and its approach to diversity, and discuss the current state of the PC gaming market. We also dive into Jeff Kaplan’s comments about Blizzard and game development, before wrapping things up with our reactions to the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer.
If you’re into gaming, industry talk, and a bit of hype, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro / Housekeeping
00:53 – Games We’ve Played
16:35 – Crimson Desert and Its Diversity
30:41 – The PC Gaming Market Continues to Get Worse
42:14 – Jeff Kaplan Talks Blizzard & Game Development
1:00:10 – Spider-Man: Brand New Day Trailer Reactions
1:15:28 – Outro
#SpectatorMode #GamingPodcast #CrimsonDesert #PCGaming #JeffKaplan #Blizzard #SpiderMan #GamingNews #TheOuterhavenYou 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!
23 March 2026, 6:00 pm - 42 minutes 23 secondsEp.213 - Mega Man Recast, Nagoshi Studio in Trouble, Project Helix Details
Spectator Mode Episode 213 is here! After talking about what we've been playing, we dive into new details on Microsoft's Project Helix, Ben Diskin's decision to walk away from Mega Man: Override over Capcom's refusal to offer a union contract, and Nagoshi Studio facing a funding crisis that could kill Gang of Dragon before it launches.
00:00 - Intro
01:35 - What we played this week (keep it to 3 games)
10:44 - Project Helix gets more details
27:48 - Ben Diskin is not continuing as Mega Man
34:45 - Nagoshi Studio Has danger of getting funding pulled in May from NetEase
Check out our other Spectator Mode Podcast episodes - https://www.theouterhaven.net/podcasts/spectatormodepodcast/#GamingPodcast #MegaMan #NagoshiStudio #projecthelix #xbox #
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!
14 March 2026, 6:00 pm - More Episodes? Get the App