Dual Comm Podcast

Gaming Is Still Amazing (Despite Everything)

In this episode we talk about Unreal Engine’s influence on movies and TV, the current AI panic in games, and why being constantly mad about tech is a losing game. We also dig into owning your services, GOG’s push toward Linux and preservation, and why mid-tier games deserve more love. Thanks for listening and have a great day! #gaming #gamingpodcast #gamingcommentary 
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DualComm 
Dual Comm Party Chat Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMLyNxTXPdCKlZ9CMXkNPDMNNIKQARPd 
Show Links:Featured Video Finis Coronat Opus — A Mirror's Edge Sniping Montage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHOLAMHBJ3k Featured Games:Arcadium Space Odyssey https://store.steampowered.com/app/2352670/Arcadium__Space_Odyssey/ Don't Stop, Girlypop! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2610650/Dont_Stop_Girlypop/ Garlic https://store.steampowered.com/app/1250440/Garlic/ UNREAL ENGINE IN MOVIES / TV- VGC (Gore Verbinski quote about Unreal Engine): https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/greatest-slip-backwards-pirates-of-the-caribbean-director-says-unreal-engine-makes-films-look-too-much-like-games/ Tom’s Hardware (Project Genie / gaming stocks reaction): https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/gaming-market-melts-down-after-google-reveals-new-ai-game-design-tool-project-genie-crashes-stocks-for-roblox-nintendo-cd-projekt-red-and-more OWN YOUR TECH SERVICES / BEING DONE BEING MAD- Linus Tech Tips (I’m done being mad about tech): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZZf6LM3wAU - Level1Techs (Adam + Wendell storage adventure feat. EposVox): https://level1techs.com/node/3347 Swagless Games https://www.polygon.com/code-vein-2-swagless-game/ Red Dead Redemption 2 vs. A Tiny CRT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_tohNLvkxk Sony AI LLM Podcast Patent https://www.techradar.com/gaming/sony-patents-ai-generated-podcasts-with-playstation-characters-because-video-game-platforms-currently-lack-the-ability-to-provide-unique-and-targeted-content-to-gamers 
00:00:00 Are We Reducing Our Setups? (Emulation)00:05:03 Dual Comm Patreon00:08:30 Featured Video Of The Show00:12:16 Featured Games Of The Show00:17:00 Is Unreal Engine Ruining Movies & TV?00:24:49 AI Is Running Wild00:44:00 Own Your Tech Services00:56:10 GOG Bringing GOG Galaxy To Linux01:02:42 Epos Doesn't Like Pick Up Videos Anymore01:11:50 Done Being Mad About Tech01:30:15 Mid Games Are Awesome01:50:34 Epos & Fable
 
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219 
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Subscribe on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
 
Follow us on YouTube:@bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

Steam Deck LCD Is Gone, the FPS Shift, and Doing Things for Yourself

Season 2 of the Dual Comm podcast has arrived.
We discuss the Steam Deck LCD going away, likely due to RAM shortages. We talk about giving gaming less of yourself to enjoy the hobby more, and then dig into the self-help trend flooding YouTube around hobbies. We also talk about a PC Gamer article noting that the focus of major FPS releases is shifting away from competitive play and toward more relaxed co-op experiences. We wrap by talking about dopamine sensitivity, doing things for yourself, and creating.
Thanks for watching.
Dual Comm Party Chat Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMLyNxTXPdCKlZ9CMXkNPDMNNIKQARPd 
Show Links:
Welcome to the FPS Vibe Shift (PC Gamer)https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/welcome-to-the-fps-vibe-shift/ 
Chiral Drifter - Gaming Feels New Again (We Gave Gaming Smaller Pieces of Ourselves)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnIo2WWt848 
Another video about giving gaming less of yourselfhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo4LUKi62jY 
Epos new blog gamer.dadhttps://gamer.dad 
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Season 2 Begins00:01:48 - Finishing Horizon Zero Dawn and Starting Forbidden West00:12:46 - Steam Deck Funded by Counter-Strike Skins00:15:47 - The End of the Steam Deck LCD00:20:53 - Launching the gamer.dad Blog00:22:04 - Rediscovering RSS00:23:27 - Giving Games Less of Yourself00:31:24 - When Intentional Gaming Becomes the Default00:51:21 - The FPS Vibe Shift01:10:24 - YouTube, Algorithms, and Sensationalism01:30:16 - Doing Things Just for Yourself01:39:30 - Dopamine Sensitivity and Overstimulation
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 
 
Subscribe on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
 
Follow us on YouTube:@bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

One Year Anniversary Show!

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/id1781108219Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
 
Follow us on YouTube:@bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

Take Back Your Digital Freedom & Privacy

This episode dives into why digital freedom and ownership matter more than ever. We quickly revisit the value of the PS4 in 2025, the importance and benefits of physical media, how to back up your PC games, and the smart TV settings you should turn off right now. From there we talk about Xbox trying to compete with TikTok, Windows 11 frustrations pushing people toward Linux, and practical ways to take back your digital freedom and build healthier tech habits.
We also explore whether there are simply too many games to keep up with now, talk about Amazon’s failed attempt to rival Steam, and share Prime Gaming titles worth downloading today. Later we get into how everything online is starting to feel like advertising, then wrap up with TimeSplitters Rewind, fresh PS5 news, and the reveal of the new PlayStation gaming monitor. Thanks for listening.
 
Chapters
00:00:00 PS4 Is Still Awesome
00:11:00 Physical Media Mega Discussion Begins
00:13:00 How To Make Physical Copies Of Your PC Games
00:18:00 Your Smart TV Is Spying On You, Turn This Off Now
00:30:00 Xbox Competing With TikTok?!
00:39:00 Windows 11 Issues Motivating Linux Movement
00:48:00 Take Back Your Digital Freedom, Empower Your Tech Usage
01:00:28 Are There Too Many Games Now?
01:20:58 Amazon Failed To Compete With Steam
01:25:05 Prime Games To Download Now
01:25:50 Amazon Gaming Did Not Understand Steam
01:33:54 Everything Is Advertising
01:45:43 TimeSplitters Rewind Looks Awesome
01:48:00 PS5 News and PlayStation Monitor Preview
Subscribe on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
Follow us on YouTube:@bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking
Show Links:Lost Save's PS4 Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkCloXWp378 
EVERYONE is misunderstanding "Xbox has to compete with TikTok":https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/10/29/satya-nadellas-plan-to-take-on-tiktok-with-xbox-makes-no-sense/ 
Your TV Is Spying On You. Turn These Settings Off:https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036/ 
Are There Too Many Games?:https://bsky.app/profile/benjedwards.com/post/3m5aa2a3alc2f 
Amazon Lays Off Entire Gaming Division:https://bsky.app/profile/catacalypto.bsky.social/post/3m4cbunnsss2j https://bsky.app/profile/letitmelo.bsky.social/post/3m4bxweqs3k2u 
Everything Is Advertising:https://bsky.app/profile/lukeplunkett.com/post/3m5adneejhs2h 
TimeSplitters Rewind:https://www.timesplittersrewind.com/ 
PS5 PC Cross-Buy Discovery:https://insider-gaming.com/a-ps5-pc-cross-buy-option-has-been-discovered-verified/ 
PlayStation Store Dynamic Pricing Reports:https://www.reddit.com/r/playstation/s/lXW7qPfGDY https://twistedvoxel.com/playstation-experimenting-with-dynamic-game-pricing/ https://www.notebookcheck.net/PlayStation-Store-dynamic-pricing-criticized-as-sale-prices-on-PS5-games-vary-by-account.1156025.0.html 
The New PlayStation Gaming Monitor:https://blog.playstation.com/2025/11/11/first-look-at-playstations-27-gaming-monitor/ 
 
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 

PS4's HUGE Value, When to Let Go, Critical Reflection

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/id1781108219Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
Follow us on YouTube:@bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking
 
 

Game Pass Price Hike Reveals Value of Ownership

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/id1781108219Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
Follow us on YouTube:@bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

How To RELAX With Video Games Again

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/id1781108219Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
Follow us on YouTube:@bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

Why You’ve Lost Your Focus and How to Get It Back

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=Ft4oAPA6DQYBnet Archive: https://bnetarchive.haloman30.com/contente5a6.html?type=topnews&link=h3matchmaking
Chapters:
00:00:00 AAA Gaming Has Hit a Wall00:12:30 Blanding: Why Everything Looks the Same Now00:26:33 Why We're Buying Physical Media Again00:31:50 The Joy (and Value) of Being Bored00:43:30 The Lost Art of Truly Focusing on One Thing01:15:00 Halo 3’s Magic and Why Older FPS Games Gave Us More01:58:00 Brain Fog: Symptom or Something Bigger?
Subscribe on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5752977a-04fd-4198-b7e3-2a25665b98fc
Follow us on YouTube:@bbkdragoon | @EposVox | @lostsaves | @NeuroSpicy.Cooking

The Truth About What Gamers Actually Play

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 Behavior00:30:00 The Steam Review System Might Be Better Than YouTube00:46:45 What We Bought (and Learned) in the Steam Summer Sale01:19:19 $70 Controllers vs. $40 Fixes – Why Hall Effect Isn’t Standard01:40:00 Tech FOMO and the Struggle to Game Intentionally
Subscribe on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321Amazon 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 Back

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 Year00:07:58 – Xbox’s New Handheld: ROG Ally X and What It Means00:18:32 – Steam Next Fest Demos That Blew Us Away00:38:51 – Game Preservation, Platform Walls, and Xbox on PlayStation00:52:42 – Google Search Is Basically Broken Now01:25:23 – Does Doom 2016 Actually Look Better Than The Dark Ages?
Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-comm-podcast/id1781108219Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ls95EviV2hcBBnufcZ5ZEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/240902321