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On Spectator Mode Podcast episode 211, we discuss major Xbox shakeup as Phil Spencer retires, Sarah Bond exits, and Microsoft appoints a former AI executive to lead the brand.

We also dive into the controversy surrounding North America’s biggest fighting game tournament now being owned by Saudi investors, and why much of the FGC is pushing back. On top of that, we discuss Sony shutting down Bluepoint Games, the long-awaited return of .hack, and Bungie’s aggressive new plans to combat cheaters ahead of Marathon. It is a packed episode with a lot to unpack.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro / What we've been playing lately.
• 10:54 - .hack returns (.hack//Z.E.R.O)
• 24:07 - Sony shuts down Bluepoint Games
• 35:08 - Bungie Details Anti-Cheat Plans for Its Extraction Shooter Marathon
• 45:49 - Xbox Leadership Shakeup
• 1:06:10 - RTS fully owns EVO now
• 1:15:03 - Stop Making Steam Machine Videos That Ignore Reality
• 1:16:23 - Outro

Thanks 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 tips@theouterhaven.net.

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In this episode of Spectator Mode 210, we break down Microsoft’s reported plans to merge PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass as part of its 2026 strategy, and what that could mean for players. We also dive into Discord’s global age-verification rollout and the privacy concerns surrounding it.

On the gaming side, we debate whether Nioh 3 can stand on its own or if comparisons to Elden Ring are inevitable, react to Riot’s layoffs impacting 2XKO, and talk about the surprising comeback momentum behind Granblue Fantasy: Relink. Oh, and yes… Rave Racer is finally getting a home port.

Let’s get into it.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:16 - What we have been playing
• 19:59 - Is Microsoft planning on merging the PC gaming Game Pass?
• 29:59 - Nioh 3 is good, but it's not Elden Ring
• 38:37 - Discord is going full big brother mode
• 49:55 - Granblue Fantasy: Relink Making a Comeback!!!
• 56:04 - Riot downsizing 2XKO team sparks concern about the Game’s Future
• 1:10:47 - Rave Racer is finally getting a home port
• 1:15:13 - 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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Welcome back to Spectator Mode Podcast! In episode 209 we dig into big shifts across the gaming industry, including reports that the Game Developers Conference may be seeing a drop in international attendance and what that means for developers worldwide. We also break down the latest Xbox Developer Direct, react to the Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary announcements, and revisit Highguard and what its struggles say about live service games. To wrap things up, we tackle a big question: can publishers succeed without major media outlets as more companies go straight to influencers and their own platforms?

**Keith apologizes for this crappy voice quality. Apparently, his XLR cable decided to give up the ghost and didn't tell him**

Timestamps

00:00 – intro
01:15 – Games we've played recently
11:08 – GDC losing its foreign audience
23:48 – Xbox Developer Direct
31:00 – Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary announcements
35:07 – What's going on with Highguard
40:45 – Can publishers succeed without major outlets

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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 – 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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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?

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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

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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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 - 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 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

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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• Amazon Music