Spectator Mode Gaming Podcast

Send us a text 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 #gamingpodcast Timestamps: 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 2025 It'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. 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 a text 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 coming soon. 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 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 a text This week on the Spectator Mode Podcast, we start with what we’ve been playing and watching lately, then celebrate the Dynasty Warriors 25th anniversary and its lasting impact on the hack-and-slash genre. We also dive into Itch.io’s decision to relist NSFW games — but only the free ones — and what that means for indie developers. From there, we tackle the controversial Online Safety Act, questioning why it’s needed and how it could affect online communities. Finally, we close out with our EVO 2025 recap, highlighting the biggest matches, surprise upsets, and standout performances from the world’s biggest fighting game event. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro / What we’ve been playing & watching 33:49 – Happy Dynasty Warriors 25th anniversary 48:00 – Itch.io relists NSFW games (only the free ones) 52:45 – The Online Safety Act… why? 1:04:30 – EVO 2025 recap Thanks for listening and watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please like, comment, and subscribe to support the show. #SpectatorModePodcast #DynastyWarriors #EVO2025 #FightingGames #OnlineSafetyAct #Itchio #GamingPodcast #VideoGames #GameNews 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 a text In Episode 196 of the Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew returns to break down another wild week in gaming. We kick things off with what we've been playing and watching before diving into whether The Outer Worlds 2 is shaping up to be another case of Microsoft marketing misfires. From there, we explore the growing rumors around Sony potentially publishing games on Xbox, followed by our thoughts on Riot’s latest 2XKO update and whether it's too little too late. We also dive into a deep discussion about Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and how it stacks up against other Soulslikes. Additionally, we address the contentious decision by Itch.io to remove NSFW games in response to external pressure from Visa, Mastercard, and Collective Shout. Ending it all with the surprising legal clash between Sony and Tencent over Light of Moritam. This episode’s packed, so don’t miss it. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:54 - Games played and stuff watched 15:48 - Is OuterWorlds 2 the next Microsoft Mismanaged Marketing project? 29:41 - Is Sony putting its games on Xbox? 50:10 - Is the new 2KXO update too little too late? 52:38 - How does Wuchang: Fallen Feathers compare to other Soulslikes 1:01:48 - Itch.io removing NSFW games due to Mastercard and Visa (Collective Shout) 1:13:04 - Sony Suing Tencent over Light of Moritam 1:27:05 - Outro Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly episodes! Got thoughts on these topics? Drop them in the comments—we want to hear from you. 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 a text We're back with another episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast, where the crew dives into the latest games we've been playing, the shows we've been watching, and a few hot-button topics that got the internet talking. In Episode 135, we kick things off with a rundown of the games we've been grinding and the media that's caught our attention. We talk about Square Enix dropping Windows 10 support for Final Fantasy 14, why payment processors are going after NSFW games, and more chatter around James Gunn’s Superman — spoiler warning included. It’s another packed episode, so strap in. #superman #finalfantasy14 #finalfantasyXIV #gaming #gamingpodcast #geekculture #windows10 #NSFWgames Timestamps: Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly episodes! Got thoughts on these topics? Drop them in the comments—we want to hear from you. 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 a text Welcome back to Spectator Mode Podcast, your go-to show for real talk on gaming, geek culture, and everything in between. In episode 194, the crew talks about the new Superman movie, ASUS’s ROG Xbox Ally leak, multiplayer gaming struggles in games such as Marvel Rivals and Elden Ring Nightreign, fighting game DLC, and the controversy surrounding Pirate Software. Topics: Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly episodes! Got thoughts on these topics? Drop them in the comments—we want to hear from you. 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 a text Welcome back to Spectator Mode Podcast, your go-to show for real talk on gaming, geek culture, and everything in between. In Episode 193, the crew dives deep into a chaotic mix of news, hot takes, and frustration. Here are our topics for this week: 00:00 – Intro 02:10 – What We Played & Watched (games, anime, shows) 31:19 – Mindseye is a mess – what’s going on with this game? 38:19 – Does the Fighting Game Community need saving? 1:02:34 – Magic: The Gathering x Sonic the Hedgehog – wait, what? 1:08:42 – Xbox and metrics: Are the numbers hiding the truth? 1:27:03 – Elden Ring: Nightreign – co-op chaos, Everdark bosses, and why randoms keep ruining the flow Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly episodes! Got thoughts on these topics? Drop them in the comments—we want to hear from you. #SpectatorModePodcast #EldenRing #Mindseye #MagicTheGathering #FightingGames #Xbox #GamingPodcast #SonicTheHedgehog 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 a text In Episode 192 of the Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew dives into a mix of gaming chatter, tech talk, and a dash of nostalgia. We kick things off with what we’ve been playing and watching lately before moving into a bizarre discussion on putting electronics into confined spaces while they’re still powered on. We then explore the uncertain future of Xbox following a wave of layoffs and what that could mean for the brand moving forward. In the second half, we tackle the controversial Stop Killing Games movement and Pirate Software’s bold stance on game preservation. Finally, we wrap things up by reminiscing about Split/Second, one of the best arcade racers of its time, and whether there’s still a future for the arcade racing genre. #videogames #stopkillinggames #xbox #futureofxbox #videogamepreservation #arcadegames #racinggmaes #podcast #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 a text On Episode 191 of the Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew returns to talk about the rumored pricing of the Asus ROG Xbox handhelds, the newly announced AMD and Xbox partnership (and why we think it's more PR than progress), and whether a game’s price should factor into review scores. Plus, Keith gets hit with a wave of nostalgia and shares the story of how The Outerhaven gaming outlet came to be. All that and plenty of chaotic banter in this week’s gaming and geek culture podcast! #GamingPodcast #GeekCulture #TheOuterhaven #xbox #xboxhandheld Topics: Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. Spotify – spoti.fi/2HsmTZ8 Apple Music – https://apple.co/43Bz67A YouTube – Youtube.com/theouterhaven Amazon Music – https://amzn.to/3FE4bPM Join our small but growing Discord channel! Discord – https://discord.gg/c7FPrj3MGj 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 a text We’re back! In this episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast, we dive into our hands-on time at Summer Game Fest 2025 Play Days, talk about the state of fighting games with all the big announcements (yes, including Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls), and share what caught our attention during the Steam Next Fest – June 2025 edition. From indie bangers to AAA hype, we’ve got a lot to say! Topics: Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. Spotify – spoti.fi/2HsmTZ8 Apple Music – https://apple.co/43Bz67A YouTube – Youtube.com/theouterhaven Amazon Music – https://amzn.to/3FE4bPM Join our small but growing Discord channel! Discord – https://discord.gg/c7FPrj3MGj 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 a text Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 189 is finally here — yeah, we know it's a little late. Between our trip to Summer Game Fest 2025 and things got a bit chaotic. But we're back with a stacked episode! This week, we dive into our predictions for Summer Game Fest 2025 (some of which may or may not have already come true), and break down the Witcher 4 tech demo that just dropped. We also talk about what stood out in the recent PlayStation Showcase, plus the games we've been playing and stuff we've been watching. Thanks for your patience, and as always, we appreciate you tuning in! Topics: Games we’ve played, stuff we’ve watchedSummer Game Fest 2025 predictionsWitcher 4 tech demo releasedWhat we liked from the PlayStation Showcase Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. Spotify – spoti.fi/2HsmTZ8 Apple Music – https://apple.co/43Bz67A YouTube – Youtube.com/theouterhaven Amazon Music – https://amzn.to/3FE4bPM Join our small but growing Discord channel! Discord – https://discord.gg/c7FPrj3MGj 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 a text Ready for some spicy gaming talk? Well, that's what we have in this latest episode, as the crew discusses the frustration about the PC version of Stellar Blade and PSN woes, again. We can't forget Nintendo's recent change to its EULA and what that means for anyone who owns a Switch or the Switch 2. Finally, gamers and expensive games, and who ultimately wins when prices get hiked up. Thanks for listening, and please, if you enjoy the show, leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Music. Spotify - spoti.fi/2HsmTZ8 Apple Music - https://apple.co/43Bz67A Join our small but growing Discord channel Discord - https://discord.gg/c7FPrj3MGj #stellarblade #pcgaming #psn #playstationetwork #switch2 #nintendo #videogames 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 a text In Episode 187 of the Spectator Mode Podcast, we dive into this week’s biggest stories in gaming! We talk about the shocking return of Giant Bomb, clear up the Steam hack rumors, and break down EA's controversial return-to-office policy. Sony warns of a PS5 price hike, DOOM: The Dark Ages struggles on Steam Deck, and Nintendo drops a firmware update that could mess with your virtual cards. Plus, Stellar Blade finally makes its way to PC, we give our full PAX East 2025 impressions, and we discuss the cancellation of Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link. Timestamps: #GamingPodcast #StellarBlade #PAXEast2025 #DOOMTheDarkAges #PS5PriceHike #KingdomHearts #GiantBomb #SteamDeck #SpectatorModePodcast #GamingNews 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 a text Spectator Mode Podcast Ep. 186 is here! This week, we break down some of the biggest topics shaking up the gaming world: – The rising cost of games: Is $80 the new norm? – GTA VI delayed to 2026 — should we be surprised? – Elden Ring Nightreign won’t support crossplay, and fans aren’t happy – Polygon and Giant Bomb shifts signal a changing media landscape Hit play and join the discussion. Let us know your thoughts in the comments! #podcast #videogames #videogamepodcast #gamingjournalism #grandtheftautovi #gta6 #grandtheftauto6 #eldenringnightreign 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 us on Youtube and turn on notifications to never miss a video!== https://www.youtube.com/theouterhaven?sub_confirmation=1 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 a text In the latest episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast, the crew kicked things off by discussing the games they’ve been playing and the shows they’ve been watching. The crew then dove into their initial impressions of the highly anticipated Capcom Fighting Collection 2, exploring its gameplay mechanics and features, moving on to a lively debate about Forza Horizon 5 heading to the PS5 and how suddenly it's a great game. Of course, we didn't shy away from major headlines, covering Sony’s PS5 price hike in several regions and speculating on the cost of the rumored Nintendo Switch 2 in North America. Other topics included Shuhei Yoshida’s remarks about the Switch 2, rumors of an "Oblivion" remake, and news from the INDIE Live Expo. On a more somber note, they reflected on Niantic’s announcement of layoffs and the broader impact on the industry. #playstation5 #oblivion #switch2 #shuheiyoshida #indieliveexpo #gamingpodcast #videogames That and more on Spectator Mode Podcast episode 185! We hope you enjoy! Topics: Capcom Fighting Collection 2 impressions PS5 price hike in several regions Niantic Spatial To Lay Off 68 People INDIE Live Expo Shuhei Yoshida’s comments about the Switch 2You can find the Spectator Mode podcast on the following podcast platforms. Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify, as it will go a long way in helping more people discovering us. Thank you! Apple PodcastsYouTubeSpotifyAmazon MusicSupport 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 a text On Spectator Mode Podcast episode 184, the crew kicks things off by diving into the games they’ve been playing and the shows and movies they've been watching. One of the big highlights is the debut trailer for Tron: Ares, which has the team buzzing with mixed excitement and frustration about Disney's latest sci-fi venture. From there, the conversation shifts gears to more serious territory, touching on the impact of tariffs and how they've trickled down into consumer tech and gaming—sometimes in unexpected ways. The team also discusses how Switch 2 pre-orders are being delayed in Canada, sparking a broader debate on hardware availability and Nintendo’s next-gen rollout strategy. The Nintendo talk doesn’t stop there as the hosts weigh in on the company’s decision to introduce variable game pricing for the Switch 2, and Nintendo's defense of that choice. They also question why Nintendo Tour isn’t offered as a freebie or bundled in, especially as competition in mobile and handheld gaming heats up. There’s also a good laugh (and a little heat) over people defending the Steam Deck over the upcoming Switch 2. For those feeling priced out of the new console, Nintendo’s not-so-subtle answer is: just buy a Switch 1! The episode wraps by explaining Nintendo’s game key cards and a surprising twist in comic book news—the All-New Venom host has been revealed, and it’s none other than Mary Jane. Hosts: Keith MitchellScott AdamsKarl SmartThanks for listening and watching! 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 a text Welcome to a very impromptu episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast. To be honest, we totally didn't expect us all to be available to watch the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, let alone have so many options about it, but nonetheless, here we are. And, well, we definitely have some stuff to say. Some were positive, some negative, but it's all in fun. Also, no damned F-Zero... C'mon, Nintendo #nintendoswitch2 #gamingpodcast #duskbloods Hosts: 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 a text On Spectator Mode Podcast episode 182, we dive into the latest gaming buzz, starting with our excitement about heading back to Summer Game Fest before diving into the big news—Game Informer is back! Dotemu and Tribute Games also made headlines with their reveal of Marvel Cosmic Invasion, while The First Berserker: Khazan left Keith seriously impressed. We reviewed Dark Deity 2 and even had an insightful interview with MASUMI. The episode also featured a deep dive into Assassin’s Creed Shadows, discussing its overall impact and how it runs on Nvidia GeForce Now. We then examined what’s happening between Ubisoft and Tencent before shifting gears to the announcement of Trails Beyond the Horizon. The conversation got even more interesting as we debated whether publishers are afraid of Grand Theft Auto 6 and pondered the misinformation over the Xbox's Steam integration disclosure. Finally, we wrapped up with some housekeeping and ended with Jordan's displease about his PC. Don't miss this jam-packed episode! Hosts: Timestamps: 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 a text On Spectator Mode Podcast Episode 181, we dive into the latest gaming buzz, starting with our impressions of the Mechabreak demo and what it brings to the mech genre. We then shred into the exciting reveal of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 remake before discussing our thoughts on Monster Hunter Wilds. The hardware talk heats up with news of an Xbox handheld (again), and we celebrate Chrono Trigger’s 30th anniversary by reflecting on its RPG legacy. Finally, we explore whether PC gaming in the living room has hit its stride. For our roundtable, we debate if playing Death Stranding 1 is necessary before diving into the sequel and question whether Xbox’s acquisition of Activision was worth it. With hot takes, nostalgia, and industry insights, this episode is packed with gaming goodness you won’t want to miss! Hosts: Keith MitchellScott AdamsKevin KellyTimestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:33 - Games we played / stuff we watched 20:43 - Mechabreak demo impressions 29:26 - Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4 remake revealed 36:48 - Thoughts on Monster Hunter Wilds so far 44:29 - Xbox handheld is a thing again 54:40 - Chrono Trigger 30th anniversary 01:01:00 - PC gaming in the living room hits prime time 01:06:42 - Roundtable discussions 01:07:16 - Do you need to play Death Stranding 1 before 2 01:11:54 - Xbox purchasing Activision pointless 01:16:38 - Outro 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 a text The Outerhaven's resident fighting game enthusiasts, Getselious and Kevin Kelly, dive into the recent Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves demo in this special episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast. They break down their impressions, discuss what stood out, what fell short, and inevitably veer into a broader conversation about the Fatal Fury series as a whole. #fatalfurycityofthewolves #SNK #fightinggames Hosts: Getselious Kevin Kelly 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