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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

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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

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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!

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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)

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 Podcasts
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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

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 / 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!

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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

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!

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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!

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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

• 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

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!

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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 Podcasts
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Amazon Music