The Decayed Stated of Gaming – A Review of Microsoft’s Direct Developer Event pt.1

The guys (Kareem, Ken, Pat) are joined by guest Kurosh to review Microsoft’s first Developer Direct Event for 2025. Tangents include who to blame for bad bandwidth, the Rock teasing 9-11, is there life after age 32, and more.

Show Notes

Welcome back, fellow giants (and giant-adjacent listeners)! This week on Tangential Giants, your fearless leaders Kareem, Ken, and Pat are joined by the illustrious Kurosh to dissect (and largely goof on) the recent Xbox Developer Direct. If you thought this was going to be a serious, in-depth analysis, you clearly haven’t listened to us before.

This Episode’s Tangential Highlights:

Punctual Grammar & Podcast Perfection (or Lack Thereof): The episode kicks off with a hilarious meta-discussion about the very concept of “punctual grammar” in podcasting. Spoiler alert: We’re not good at it, and we own it. Prepare for many run-on sentences and glorious tangents.
Xbox: The Scapegoat for All Bandwidth Woes: Forget your ISP, your router, or the fact that you’re trying to stream 4K while your grandma is on a Zoom call. According to the Giants, all bad bandwidth in the US can be traced directly back to the Xbox. We’re not saying it’s true, but we’re also not not saying it.
Kareem’s Madden Misadventures: Our very own Kareem bravely (or foolishly) admitted to his utterly abysmal Madden skills. The ensuing roasting was, as expected, legendary. If you’ve ever felt personally victimized by a video game, you’ll relate.
The Developer Direct Deep Dive (with heavy sarcasm):
- South of Midnight: The vibes were… mystical? Southern gothic? We’re still not entirely sure, but the conversation quickly veered into what kind of swamp monster we’d actually want to fight.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: This one had a fancy name and a lot of… art. We tried to be sophisticated, but let’s be real, the discussion quickly devolved into what constitutes an “expedition” when you’re just sitting on your couch.
- DOOM: The Dark Ages: More DOOM, more demons, more heavy metal. The guys were appropriately hyped, though we’re pretty sure Kareem was just imagining new ways to lose in Madden.
- The “Latest” Ninja Gaiden: A lively debate (read: shouting match) erupted about which Ninja Gaiden was actually showcased and whether it was truly “latest.” Prepare for historical inaccuracies and passionate defenses of forgotten button inputs.

So, if you’re looking for a meticulously detailed breakdown of every frame of the Xbox Developer Direct, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want to laugh, commiserate about video game frustrations, and enjoy some truly wild tangents, then strap in!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and blame Xbox for all your life’s problems!

EP.119 – Don't Trust Billionaires – A Review of James Gunn's Superman pt.3 – Tangential Giants Podcast

The Tangential Giants return for their third strike at reviewing the three-quarter mark of James Gunn’s Superman, and somehow, the chaos only gets more refined with age. Kareem, Ken, Pat, and guest Tim settle in to talk about the movie, but as always, tangents emerge like uninvited cousins who still somehow run the show.This time, the crew dives into how the fictional citizens of Metropolis and the very real citizens of the United States share a troubling weakness for any rich guy with a shiny suit and a PR team. From there, they spiral into a celebration of Guy Gardner’s comedic menace as Green Lantern, because apparently the universe needed a man who is equal parts hero and walking HR violation.Naturally, the group also questions the logistics of a pocket universe prison. Is it science, magic, or just James Gunn saying, " Trust me and hoping no one asks follow-up questions? The Giants ask them anyway. And that is only scratching the surface of the detours they take while trying to talk about Superman’s journey.If you enjoy passionate nonsense, comic book philosophy, and four grown adults trying to make sense of a movie that refuses to stay on the rails, this episode is your comfort food. Settle in and enjoy another round of heroic chaos.#tangentialgiants #superman #jamesgunn #dcu #dcuniverse #supermanmovie #dccomics #comicbookmovies #nerdpodcast #superherotalk #moviebreakdown #GuyGardner #greenlantern #metropolis #PocketUniverse #popculturepodcast #dcfans #supermananalysis #moviediscussions