Spectator Mode Gaming Podcast

Ep. 210 – Discord Goes Big Brother, Riot’s 2XKO Layoffs, Nioh 3 Isn’t Elden Ring

Send a textIn 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 - Intro01:16 - What we have been playing19:59 - Is Microsoft planning on merging the PC gaming Game Pass?29:59 - Nioh 3 is good, but it's not Elden Ring38:37 - Discord is going full big brother mode49:55 -  Granblue Fantasy: Relink Making a Comeback!!! 56:04 - Riot downsizing 2XKO team sparks concern about the Game’s Future1:10:47 - Rave Racer is finally getting a home port1:15:13 - OutroSupport the showYou 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

Ep. 209 - Xbox Developer Direct | New Dragon Ball Game | GDC 2026 Concerns

Send us a textWelcome 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**Timestamps00:00 – intro01:15 – Games we've played recently11:08 – GDC losing its foreign audience23:48 – Xbox Developer Direct31:00 – Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary announcements35:07 – What's going on with Highguard40:45 – Can publishers succeed without major outletsCheck out our website for more great content - https://www.theouterhaven.netStop by our Discord channel and say hello - https://discord.gg/c7FPrj3MGjFollow us on Social MediaBlueSky-  https://bsky.app/profile/theouterhaven.netFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/theouterhavenInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/theouterhavenproductions/Support the showYou 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

Ep. 208 - CES 2026 Impressions | Highguard Hype | Gaming & Media Layoffs

Send us a textIn 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.Timestamps00:00 – 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 – OutroSupport the showYou 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

Ep. 207: GameStop Closes Stores | PC Gaming Just Got Super Expensive

Send us a textWe’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 Timestamps00:00 – 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 expensive1:28:29 – 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?Support the showYou 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

Ep. 206: Valve’s Steam Machine, SteamOS, and PC Gaming

Send us a textValve 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 #PCGamingSupport the showYou 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