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!

Shawarma vs Falafel vs Vaccines – A Review of James Gunn's Superman pt.2 – Tangential Giants Podcast

The Tangential Giants are back with Part 2 of their deep dive into James Gunn’s Superman, and this round Kareem, Ken, and Pat have dragged Tim into the fray. He claims he’s here for analysis, but really he’s here for moral support and to witness whatever this movie is doing in its first twenty minutes.The crew breaks down everything from the Lois and Clark argument that feels ripped straight from a couples therapy session to Superman throwing hands with a kaiju before breakfast. They also unpack the emotional rollercoaster of watching Clark repair a Kryptonian VHS love letter from his parents, because apparently Krypton had Blockbuster.Naturally, the tangents spiral.The team debates which Mediterranean dish officially separates MCU fans from DCU loyalists. They explore the hazards of rookie superheroism and why some heroes should probably start with a learner’s permit. Then they wander into a surprisingly scientific discussion about Big Dick Energy and how it occasionally overrides attractiveness, logic, and the known laws of the universe.If you enjoy chaotic analysis, passionate nonsense, and four grown adults arguing about whether Superman should own a Blu‑ray player, this episode is your new comfort food. Grab your gyro or shawarma depending on your cinematic allegiance, and settle in for another heroic descent into tangents.#tangentialgiants #superman #jamesgunn #dcuniverse #dcuniverse #supermanmovie #dccomics #comicbookmovies #nerdpodcast #SuperheroTalk #moviebreakdown #loisandclark #kaijufights #krypton #podcastepisode #geekculture #popculturepodcast #dcfans #SupermanAnalysis #moviediscussions