Dual Comm Podcast

It's the one-year anniversary of the Dual Comm Podcast. Thank you for such an incredible year. In this episode we talk about the origin of the show with a cool surprise, then revisit some of our favorite topics from the first year and how our perspectives have shifted. We also dive into games that hit at the right place and right time, taking breaks before burnout even begins, and share some of our favorite games from the last year along with our goals for 2026. Thanks for making this such a great year. We appreciate you all. Disclosure: I received a free review copy of The Outer Worlds 2 from Xbox / Microsoft. Show Links: Taking a break from a certain type of gaming instead of being frustrated: https://demodisc.zone/t/taking-a-break-from-mainstream-gaming/251 Chapters 00:00:00 The Origin Of the Dual Comm Podcast + Surprise 00:05:35 Demo Discs Are Amazing & Should Return 00:19:40 Favorite Moments From Dual Comm Year 1 01:06:19 Games In The Right Place At The Right Time? 01:19:40 Taking Breaks Before Burn Out Sets In 01:27:45 Netflix Trying To Buy Warner Bros. 01:33:17 Surprise Topic #2 01:39:20 Free Prime & Epic Games 01:42:00 Favorite Game Of 2025 & Goals For 2026 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

Dive into the pressing issues of digital freedom and ownership. Discover why physical media is making a comeback and how to back up your PC games. Learn essential smart TV settings to protect your privacy and the motivations behind the Linux movement amidst Windows 11 frustrations. Explore the overwhelming number of games and the pitfalls of gaming as it competes with short-form video content. Finally, uncover Amazon's gaming missteps and the ongoing TimeSplitters Rewind restoration project.

Recent gaming experiences and media binges kick off the discussion. The hosts delve into how the PlayStation 5's SSD and DualSense features redefine gaming beyond just graphics. They explore the potential PR hurdles facing the PlayStation 6. The immense value of the PlayStation 4 is highlighted, emphasizing its extensive library and affordability. Nostalgia’s transformation into a meme is critically examined, alongside deep reflections on identity and emotional energy in gaming.

The hosts dive into the recent Xbox Game Pass price hike and discuss the freedom of owning physical media like Jellyfin. They explore why old games spark joy and how subscription fatigue is reshaping the gaming landscape. Personal choice in gaming gets a spotlight, as short, casual play sessions are lauded for enhancing enjoyment. Viewer comments ignite debates on game franchises and the nature of live service games, highlighting the contrast between lengthy commitments and the satisfaction of single-player experiences.

Discover the challenge of tackling Souls games and the joy found in overcoming difficulty. Explore how Steam's dominance has reshaped console gaming, leading to diminished platform uniqueness. Delve into whether gaming is truly relaxing or just another form of stimulation. Hear thoughts on the Switch 2 and the pull of FOMO, as well as reflections on different gamer identities. Finally, learn why prioritizing intrinsic fun over external rewards can lead to healthier gaming habits as adults.

Discover why our focus feels constantly challenged by distractions and the joy of doing one thing at a time. The discussion highlights the resurgence of buying physical media as a satisfying alternative to endless streaming choices. Explore the dangers of multitasking and how it leads to brain fog, while nostalgia for classic gaming like Halo 3 evokes feelings of freedom and creativity. Embrace the importance of being bored and cultivating a mindful relationship with technology to protect your attention span.

Dive into the world of gaming as the hosts reveal surprising player engagement with classics like StarCraft II and Age of Empires, challenging the idea of 'dead genres.' They discuss the flaws in $70 controllers versus more affordable options and examine the issues of disposable hardware. Discover the value of community-driven Steam reviews over mainstream sources, and hear personal tales of finding hidden gaming gems. Finally, explore the dilemma of tech FOMO while appreciating the joy of current gaming experiences, spotlighting nostalgia and intentionality in gaming choices.

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

Expedition 33 genuinely reminded us why we love games — not because it's a massive AAA production, but because it has soul, smart systems, and feels like it was made by people who actually care. That kicked off a much bigger conversation: are we entering a quiet renaissance of great AA games? In this episode, we talk about how mid-budget games like Expedition 33 are doing what the big-budget blockbusters often don’t. These are games that respect your time, play great out of the gate, and remind you what makes gaming fun in the first place. We also look at how Game Pass, especially on PC, is quietly delivering some of the best value in gaming right now — from day-one drops like Indiana Jones and the Oblivion Remaster to upcoming hits like Doom: The Dark Ages. Xbox Series X, though? It might be feeling a little left behind. Subscribe to Lost Saves https://www.youtube.com/@lostsaves  Topics in this episode: Expedition 33 and the rise of soulful AA games Game Pass is quietly crushing it for PC players Is the Xbox Series X already aging out? Do you need to beat a game to truly appreciate it? EA layoffs and why AAA development keeps struggling The absurd state of mobile gaming in 2025 Our thoughts on the Marathon alpha and the direction of multiplayer FPS games Timecodes: 00:00:00 Expedition 33 Is Incredible 00:15:00 – The Rise of Great AA Games 00:22:27 – Game Pass Is Quietly Delivering 00:29:00 – Is the Xbox Series X Already Aging Out? 00:40:39 – Do You Need to Beat a Game to Truly Appreciate It? 01:01:45 – EA Layoffs & the AAA Struggle 01:21:55 – The Wild State of Mobile Gaming   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZE Subscribe on iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321 Subscribe on Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc