The DayOne Show | A Video Games Podcast

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Episode 290 | "An Xbox For Your Feet!" Nov 30, 2025

Show notes

Another week gone by, but a special opportunity to give thanks to everything we're grateful for this year - it's the XboxEra Podcast Episode 290! This week, Jon, Nick and Jesse gather round and give thanks, because it's been a pretty special year for XboxEra. We're on target to have more readers than ever, and November saw us broke some site records for the first time, alongside one of the best years for content overall.
A lot of that of course, has been driven by excellent video games. Jon reviewed Sektori, a twin-stick arcade game that feels like a more evolved Geometry Wars, and proved to be very addictive. Jesse tackled some horror games this week with reviews for A.I.L.A and Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 Remake, now finally available on Xbox consoles. Genghis checked out Ire: A Prologue, and even got a cool interview up for folks that are interested, and also checked Hymer 2000, so feel free to check that out too.
On the hardware review front, Jon published a review of the XREAL One - a pair of super neat wearable display sunglasses, which make for a perfect companion for your new ROG Xbox Ally X.
On the news front, we chatted about the RAM Price rumour and Xbox, as well as the latest ROG ally updates for your Xbox handheld, and the increase in cloud usage proclaimed by Microsoft. Xbox released a pair of Xbox controllers for your feet, in partnership with Crocs if that's your thing.
Mostly though, we chatted about actual video games, because as great as 2025 has been for gamers everywhere, 2026 looks absolutely insane in terms of output. We can't wait!

Episode 289 | "Happy 20th Anniversary, Xbox 360!" Nov 23, 2025

Show notes

It's a special show this week. Not only are there plenty of great games to talk about thanks to a rather great Partner Preview from the Xbox team, but our favourite son has just turned 20 years old! Let's celebrate the Xbox 360 Anniversary in style in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 289!

There's plenty of reason to celebrate this week, nostalgic birthday's aside. Xbox threw one hell of a Partner Preview, that revealed a ton of great looking games. It saw the arrival of the very addictive and utterly charming Dave The Diver on Xbox for the first time, and the team have been playing tons of great games, from the Geometry Wars-like Sektori, R-Type Delta HD Boosted and recent Xbox additions like Clover Pit and Neon Inferno. Jesse has reviewed Monsters are Coming! Rock and Road, and had a go on Total Chaos too - not to mention Silent Hill 2! There's just too many games!
In other news, we have an entirely new tipping system, and certain members of the community went a bit mad on the donation front, forcing all of us to run the Jelly Bean gauntlet. While we do so, we talked through some other news. We got a big look at Erosion, a new twin-stick shooter coming from the folks behind The Last Case of Benedict Fox. Ubisoft is a leaky ship, with stories about both Black Flag and Sands of Time remakes coming very soon from Insider Gaming. The Game Awards nominees are live, and of course, Xbox didn't stand a chance. Lots of this - and more, in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 289!

XboxEra is a community-first, community funded publication. If you value what we do, and want to have a direct say in what we cover, consider supporting us directly on Patreon.
All you need to do is head on over to patreon.com/xboxera and for less than a cup of coffee a month, you’ll help keep this publication alive. As a bonus, you’ll find that we create more content than many other Patreon supported publications, and we give more back in return.
So go on, do something awesome.

Episode 288 | "GabeCube" Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

After a rare break from the show, we are back! To be honest, a lot has happened since we last broadcast - and it happens to be Xbox's birthday. So buckle up for a long show, as we talk Valve's new hardware, game delays and the latest in video game reviews in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 288!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks. We've reviewed plenty of video games, big and small in that time, from the cosy survival delights of Winter Burrow, to the curious metroidvania-meets-Satisfactory trappings of Kentum. Nick tackled Double Dragon Revive in a somewhat late review, and Jesse and Jon took a look at Game Pass offerings of Pigeon Simulator and Egging On. The team at XboxEra looked at even more than that, so make sure you head to our reviews page for a good browse. The biggest of course, being our massive complete review for this years Call of Duty outing, Black Ops 7. Beyond a very silly campaign, there's a ton of content here, and according to our internal Call of Duty expert, it's one of the best overall releases in ages.
In what is now very old news, we saw GTA6 delayed, to the surprise of absolutely no-one. What did sort of surprise everyone was Valve's announcement of a new Steam Machine, VR headset and controller. Even though some of them have leaked previously, it didn't stop the industry from declaring once again that Xbox, was of course, quite definitely dead this time, actually. We'll tackle all of this, and of course a whole bunch more - including your community questions - in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 288!

As always, if you value what we do, consider supporting us directly on Patreon. Just head to patreon.com/xboxera to make a difference and keep your favourite independent Xbox-focused publication alive – for now, at least!

Episode 287 | "They Don't Know About Pumpkin Jack" Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

With Halloween now behind us, and the end of the year firmly in sight, the boys sit down to chat all things Xbox in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 287!

Tons to talk about this week, and thankfully, most of the conversation doesn't revolve around industry drama, but instead about the very thing we're all here for - fantastic video games. From Nick's discovery and love of Pumpkin Jack, his review of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage and his review-in-progress for Double Dragon: Revive, Nick's been playing more video games than ever.
Personally, I'm deep into my addiction story 'arc' with ARC Raiders, which has blown up on Steam and in the community. I also took a look at Simon the Sorcerer Origins, revisiting a staple of my gaming past. Jesse has been as busy as ever, working on reviews for Dead Static Drive and Voidtrain, which are polar opposites in terms of impressions.
In Xbox news, we talk about Jez Corden's report on the next-generation Xbox, and Satya Nadella comes out and talks about it too. IGN had a great ID@Xbox showcase, and and as always, the community comes through with their latest thoughts and questions at the end of the show.

XboxEra is a community-first, community funded publication. If you value what we do, and want to have a direct say in what we cover, consider supporting us directly on Patreon.
All you need to do is head on over to patreon.com/xboxera and pledge your support. You’ll find that we create more content than many other Patreon supported publications, and we give more back in return. Make a difference and keep your favourite independent Xbox-focused publication alive! We appreciate your support.

Episode 286 | "You Had Me At Halo" Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

This week was perhaps a sobering moment for Xbox fans. On the back of some fantastic game releases, Xbox made a move that we've arguably known was coming for a long time, but one that still feels pretty surreal. Let's get into it in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 286!

First, let's chat games we can play right now! Following Double Fine's Keeper, this week saw the continued onslaught from Microsoft's first party publishing arm, with two new releases becoming available. On Monday we saw the return of a classic action franchise in Ninja Gaiden 4, and friends, it's bloody great.
We also saw the release (in Early Access for Premium buyers at least) of Obsidian's The Outer Worlds 2, putting you in the shoes of a commander of the Earth Directorate to save the outer worlds once again. Both games reviewed super well across the board, so get stuck in! Outside of lovely video reviews, our team also pushed reviews for Painkiller, Hot Wheels: Let's Race, Fast and Furious: Arcade Edition, Bounty Star, Plants VS Zombies: Replanted and PowerWash Simulator 2. Phew!

Now let's talk about the biggest news. Halo Campaign Evolved was announced, and yes - it's coming to PlayStation. Plenty of die-hard Xbox fans are certainly in their feels right now, and we get it. We talk through all of that, in addition to the crazy reporting that Microsoft's CFO is pushing the Xbox division to target a whopping 30% margin, which is way outside of industry norms.
All this and more to listen in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 286! As always, if you value what we do, consider supporting us directly on Patreon. Just head to patreon.com/xboxera to make a difference and keep your favourite independent Xbox-focused publication alive – for now, at least!

Episode 285 | "ROG with MVG" Oct 19, 2025

Show notes

What a fun week it has been! Plenty of video games, and brand new toys upon which to play them! We chat through it all in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 285!

This week, Jon, Nick and Jesse are joined by the always legendary MVG to chat about the latest in gaming, and as per usual, there's plenty of topics to cover if you're an Xbox fan. On the games to play side of things, we've got plenty of content for you to devour, from our impressions piece on the recent Call of Duty Black Ops 7 beta, to the final, full Battlefield 6 Multiplayer Review.

We're also headfirst into Microsoft's big three for the month, with the absolutely lovely Keeper already out now in Xbox Game Pass. If you've , to be swiftly followed by NINJA GAIDEN 4 and then shortly after that, the awesome looking The Outer Worlds 2. We also finally got to talk about BALL x PIT, which has arrived on Game Pass too. That's a lot of games, and what's even crazier - that's just some of the 50+ games coming to Xbox next week. Madness.
The biggest topic of the week is of course Microsoft and ASUS's foray into Xbox-centric gaming handhelds. The ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are here, and I got hold of one thanks to the team at Xbox to bring you our verdict on the more powerful version of these two new handheld devices. Is it an Xbox? What does that even mean, anyway? If you're keen for even more Xbox Ally X content, I hosted a quick Q&A for folks, so feel free to tune in and check that out here.
In sad news, this week also saw the passing of a video game industry legend - The father of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, Tomonobu Itagaki died, and quite rightly there was an outpouring of love and support on social media. Thanks for all the great games, Itagaki-san.
All this and more to listen in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 284! As always, if you value what we do, consider supporting us directly on Patreon. Just head to patreon.com/xboxera to make a difference and keep your favourite independent Xbox-focused publication alive – for now, at least!

Episode 284 | "Xbox copping a KO?" Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

Time to chat video games! While I'm packing and preparing for my house move, Nick and Jesse hold down the fort for the XboxEra Podcast Episode 284!

There's been plenty of going's on this week in the world of Xbox and video games. Call of Duty made headlines by announcing that SBMM is going to be set to "very low" for Black Ops 7, bringing a return to open matchmaking. Battlefield 6 has arrived and is very, very good much to the delight of everyone.
In other new, Nick wants to play 2KXO, but can't, an Assassin's Creed game was cancelled, and an ex-Halo developer shares an ominous message about the studio. Beyond that, Game Pass for this month is nuts, and we're all very, very busy. Fun times ahead!

All this and more to listen in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 284! As always, if you value what we do, consider supporting us directly on Patreon. Just head to patreon.com/xboxera to make a difference and keep your favourite independent Xbox-focused publication alive – for now, at least!

Episode 283 | "This is how we play now?" feat. Tom Warren Oct 05, 2025

Show notes

It's been a week. Xbox announced big changes to Xbox Game Pass, and the gaming industry erupted. Join the XboxEra crew as we break it all down and ask some big questions with special guest Tom Warren from The Verge joining us for the XboxEra Podcast Episode 283!

There's a lot to talk about this week, as the spotlight once again turns to the Xbox business and how things are going. Team Green announced another round of sweeping changes to their Game Pass subscription service, that saw the price for the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier increase by 50% for residents in the US, and even more than that for other places.
The community didn't react well, even with Xbox promising over 75+ Day One games next year. The Verge's Tom Warren also reported on Microsoft's plans for an ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming service, which caused even more revulsion from critics of Microsoft's gaming arm. He joins us this episode to ask some of the big questions - will Xbox back track? Why is there so much uproar? And has the Xbox Game Pass experiment ultimately failed?
When it comes to actual video games (arguably the reason we're all here), things are thankfully in much better shape. Hades 2 is pretty great, Black Ops 7 is having a beta right now, Battlefield 6 arrives next week, and we've got plenty of titles to look forward to in October. From DoubleFine's Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4 and or course, The Outer Worlds 2 - they're all coming to Game Pass. Interestingly, a new report on Halo has got fans discussing what's next for the venerable shooter franchise, with Halo Studios promising a deep dive on October 24th.
All this and more to listen in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 283! As always, if you value what we do, consider supporting us directly on Patreon. Just head to patreon.com/xboxera to make a difference and keep your favourite independent Xbox-focused publication alive - for now, at least!

Episode 282 | "Let's take a drive to Japan!" Sep 28, 2025

Show notes

What a crazy week! Between Sony's State of Play, Tokyo Game Show and the ROG Xbox Ally news, it's been very busy times. The podcast crew get together to chat through it all in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 282!

While we've been playing plenty of games, from SILENT HILL f to Final Fantasy Tactics or Sonic Racing: Crossworlds and Dying Light The Beast, there's still been plenty of video gaming news to sink our teeth into.
We got to see a little from OD thanks to Kojima Productions, and it looks great. Sony had a State of Play, with Wolverine finally being revealed, another Xbox game heading to PlayStation with Flight Simulator 2024 and a little more footage of Saros. Microsoft and Xbox held their Tokyo Game Show Broadcast where we finally got the 'surprise' reveal of Forza Horizon 6, and it's set in Japan. They talked about the ROG Xbox Ally during the show, but didn't reveal the price, instead letting ASUS shock people (when it comes to the US price at least) later that day.

All this and more to listen to, and as always, if you value what we do, consider supporting us directly on Patreon. Just head to patreon.com/xboxera to make a difference and keep your favourite independent Xbox-focused publication alive.

Episode 281 | "Twas the week before TGS..." Sep 21, 2025

Show notes

As we head into Tokyo Game Show week, the podcast crew gather once more to chat about all the games, content and industry news in the XboxEra Podcast Episode 281!

Plenty of games and news this week to dive into and Jon, Nick and Jesse chat through it all. Nick is a bit sad because Collingwood lost their semi-final, but thankfully there's plenty of games to get on with to distract him a bit. Jesse has been on a marathon of reviews, with his latest, Dying Light The Beast live now for the community to check out. We've also got a review for Xbox Game Pass' latest gem - Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor. I've been fooling around with the Fullscreen Xbox Experience on my ROG Ally X, and also playing plenty of Jump Space - even interviewing the Game Director.
We chat about the lack of Xbox Review Code lately, in addition to discussion around Borderlands 4 and its performance issues. We chat all the latest Xbox Game Pass drops, and even get a little political, mostly thanks to the Xbox price increase and inevitable tariff discussion. I make a plea to all our listeners to try and treat each other kindly, no matter where you fall on such things.
We also chat about TGS, and the community can look forward to a dedicated livestream with all of us next week, as we tune in to watch live. Will Forza Horizon 6 make an appearance? We can't wait to find out!
All this and more to listen to, and as always, if you value what we do, consider supporting us directly on Patreon. Just head to patreon.com/xboxera to make a difference and keep your favourite independent Xbox-focused publication alive.

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