This week in the Dual Comm Podcast we discuss the games we've been playing recently, and the TV & movies we've been watching. We then shift to discussions about the PlayStation 5's unique features and why PlayStation 6 may be facing an uphill PR battle to earn buy in. Then we talk about the absolute immense value the PlayStation 4 offers players right now. Finally we talk about gaming nostalgia and the current algorithm trends, finishing with the discussion of reflection and third places and memories. Thanks for listening.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 Intro - 1 Year Of Dual Comm Almost
• 00:04:31 What Games & Media Have You Been Playing And Watching
• 00:16:33 PlayStation 5 Graphics Discussion
• 00:28:57 Does PlayStation 6 Have Perception Challenge?
• 00:39:11 The Amazing Value Of The PS4
• 00:46:54 Are Creators Turning Nostalgia Into A Meme?
• 01:04:17 We Leave A Part Of Ourselves Behind

Dual Comm Party Chat Episode 2: https://youtu.be/-1dOITdMaOk?si=IQL5Pzqb6qQyvUOQ

We leave a part of ourselves behind: https://youtu.be/vejSywwFq7Q?si=wTyOAtv8MeuWqhi6

Links discussed in today's show: https://insider-gaming.com/ea-shuts-down-call-of-duty-inspired-battlefield-6-portal-maps/ https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/10/ps5-has-been-special-thanks-to-ssd-dualsense-features-rather-than-visuals https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/10/even-i-cant-tell-the-difference-shuhei-yoshida-thinks-ps6-needs-something-other-than-just-more-power

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc

Follow us on YouTube: @bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

On this episode we talk about the Xbox Game Pass subscription price increase and subsequently we then talk about what happens when you start ditching subscriptions and actually own the things you love again. From Jellyfin to physical media, there’s a real sense of freedom that comes with taking back control of what you watch and play. We dig into why old games feel so good right now, how subscription fatigue is shaping modern gaming, and why shorter, more personal play sessions might be the best thing you can do for yourself. Then we answer some great viewer comments. Thanks for listening!

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 New Show "Party Chat"
• 00:03:54 Xbox Removed From Retailers
• 00:14:00 Ditching Subscription Services – Taking Ownership Back with Jellyfin and Physical Media
• 00:31:00 Game Pass Price Hike and the Future of Access-Based Gaming
• 00:34:00 Why Old Games Feel So Good Right Now
• 00:42:00 The Power of Personal Choice in Gaming
• 00:45:00 How Daydreaming Died – Escaping Peripheral Hobby Burnout
• 00:52:03 Epos’ Steam Sale Recommendations
• 00:56:52 Secret Topic – Game Difficulty and Player Expectations
• 01:04:00 Relearning How to Just Play and Stop Optimizing the Fun Out
• 01:07:04 The Power of Short Sessions and Rediscovering Flow
• 01:18:50 Viewer Comment – Gears of War: E-Day and Franchise Stagnation
• 01:35:53 Viewer Comment – Live Service Games Are the TikTok of Gaming

Video we discussed regarding old games and personal connection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rae6dQ18E4Q

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc

Follow us on YouTube: @bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

In this episode we dig into why Souls games feel so challenging when life gets stressful, and how frustration can shape the way we approach gaming. We also talk about the end of console uniqueness, why Steam quietly won the console war, and what it means for how we choose platforms going forward. From there we get into the question of whether games are really relaxing or if they’re actually stimulation, and why that matters for how we spend our free time. We react to the new Switch 2 Direct and the familiar pull of FOMO, while trying to keep things grounded in what really matters. We share thoughts on the different types of gamers out there, and how our identities around competition and casual play have changed over the years. Finally, we wrap on why intrinsic fun is worth chasing over external rewards, and how that shift might be the healthiest way to keep enjoying games as adults. Thanks for listening!

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 The Challenge of Souls Games & Finding Joy in Difficulty
• 00:21:18 Steam Won the Console War – Consoles Feel the Same Now
• 00:41:00 Choosing Your Platform: What Matters Most Going Forward
• 00:57:00 Games as Stimulation, Not Passive Relaxation
• 01:01:00 Switch 2 Direct Reactions & Handling FOMO
• 01:05:25 What Kind of Gamer Are You?
• 01:15:45 Playing for Fun: Intrinsic Rewards Over External Pressure

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc

Follow us on YouTube: @bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

Why does it feel like our focus is constantly under attack—and what can we actually do about it? In this episode of the Dual Comm Podcast, we dig into the quiet, everyday battles for our attention, from endless phone scrolling to multitasking ourselves into brain fog. We talk about the lost joy of doing one thing at a time, the value of being bored, and how simple habits—like listening to an album start to finish or playing a game without a second screen—can help restore our attention span.

We also get into the comeback of physical media, why buying CDs and ripping DVDs has become unexpectedly satisfying, and how infinite streaming choice might be making us less happy. Later in the episode, we talk Halo 3 playlist design, why modern FPS games miss the mark on fun, and a productivity warning signal to watch out for. It’s part nostalgia, part reflection, and part reminder that the best way to protect your focus might be to slow down, log off, and embrace the quiet moments. #gaming #gamingvideos

Links to: Hutch's Florence & The Machine Montage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft4oAPA6DQY Bnet Archive: https://bnetarchive.haloman30.com/contente5a6.html?type=topnews&link=h3matchmaking

Chapters:

00:00:00 AAA Gaming Has Hit a Wall 00:12:30 Blanding: Why Everything Looks the Same Now 00:26:33 Why We're Buying Physical Media Again 00:31:50 The Joy (and Value) of Being Bored 00:43:30 The Lost Art of Truly Focusing on One Thing 01:15:00 Halo 3’s Magic and Why Older FPS Games Gave Us More 01:58:00 Brain Fog: Symptom or Something Bigger?

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc

Follow us on YouTube: @bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

What do gamers actually play—and why does it feel like the industry doesn’t want you to know? In this episode of the Dual Comm Podcast, we dig into real player numbers from Steam and talk about how the myth of “dead genres” doesn’t match reality. StarCraft II, Age of Empires, Stardew Valley, Cyberpunk 2077—these games are thriving, but you'd never know it from industry press releases or marketing cycles.

We also get into the hardware side of gaming: Why are $70 controllers still built to fail? Why won’t Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft use Hall effect sticks when $40 third-party options already do? And is modern hardware becoming disposable by design?

Later in the episode, we dive into Steam sale pickups, how we actually find good games in a sea of noise, and why the Steam review system might be better than YouTube or Metacritic. We also talk about what we’ve been playing—Tomb Raider, Guardians of the Galaxy, Stardew Valley, Horizon Zero Dawn—and how personal taste still matters more than algorithmic trends.

Finally, we wrap with a discussion about intentionality, tech FOMO, and resisting the pressure to chase new hardware. Do we really want a Steam Deck or Switch 2, or are we just dreaming about time we don’t have?

Thanks for listening.

Chapters: 00:00:00 What Steam Charts Reveal About Real Gamer Behavior 00:30:00 The Steam Review System Might Be Better Than YouTube 00:46:45 What We Bought (and Learned) in the Steam Summer Sale 01:19:19 $70 Controllers vs. $40 Fixes – Why Hall Effect Isn’t Standard 01:40:00 Tech FOMO and the Struggle to Game Intentionally

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc

Follow us on YouTube: @bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

The golden age of small games is officially back. In this episode of the Dual Comm Podcast, we kick things off with Haste—a tiny game with massive heart that might just be our game of the year. We dive into why it’s such a perfect session experience, how the new Disaster Mode changes things up, and what makes it feel like a future classic.

We also break down the Steam Next Fest demos and highlight our favorite upcoming indies, from VOID/BREAKER to Dead as Disco to Pipistello and the Cursed Yo-Yo. This Next Fest felt like a true renaissance for handheld-friendly, creative games that don’t waste your time—and we’re here for it.

Other topics include the reveal of the Xbox ROG Ally handheld, the rise of PC handhelds and how they’re reshaping where and how we play, and why Google Search is quietly becoming unusable. We talk about what’s broken, what’s changing, and how we’re shifting our habits away from algorithm rot and back toward intentional play.

Plus: the decline of live service FPS games and why Doom 2016 still looks incredible.

Subscribe to

@bbkdragoon

@EposVox

@lostsaves

@NeuroSpicy.Cooking

Chapters: 00:00:00 – Why Haste Is One of the Best Games of the Year 00:07:58 – Xbox’s New Handheld: ROG Ally X and What It Means 00:18:32 – Steam Next Fest Demos That Blew Us Away 00:38:51 – Game Preservation, Platform Walls, and Xbox on PlayStation 00:52:42 – Google Search Is Basically Broken Now 01:25:23 – Does Doom 2016 Actually Look Better Than The Dark Ages?

Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321

Doom The Dark Ages looks great—but the way it’s being released tells us a lot about where console gaming is headed.

In this episode, we share our impressions of Doom's latest entry, the physical disc controversy, and how this all ties into the growing divide between PC and console ecosystems. We also break down why PC gaming in 2025 feels smarter than ever, the slow death of physical media (and who’s to blame), Xbox’s pricing moves, Nintendo’s new Switch terms, the rise of GameCube games on PC, and the future of game development.

Thanks for listening! #gaming #gamingvideos Subscribe to @EposVox and @lostsaves

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Doom The Dark Ages First Impressions 00:29:00 – Doom TDA Isn’t Really on the Disc—And That’s a Problem 00:35:00 – The Death of Physical Media Is Hurting Console Gamers 00:42:26 – Why PC Gaming Makes So Much Sense in 2025 01:10:45 – GameCube Decomp Projects Are Wild 01:14:30 – Gears of War on PS5 01:24:30 – AA & Indie Games Shine on PC Handhelds 01:30:00 – There’s Still So Much to Love in Gaming

Subscribe on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc