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.120 – Jimmy Olsen's Manosphere Problem – A Review of James Gunn's Superman pt.4 – Tangential Giants Podcast

The Tangential Giants return to finally wrap up their review of James Gunn’s Superman, and somehow, the last stretch of the movie gives them even more chaos to chew on. Kareem, Ken, Pat, and guest Tim dive straight into Jimmy Olsen’s full-blown Manosphere spiral, because apparently, even in the DCU, no one is safe from a podcast algorithm gone rogue.From there, the crew takes a hard look at the new Kents, who are depicted as so financially underwater that even Smallville’s cows are probably judging them. Then comes Lex Luthor’s army of Musk-like minions, a collection of tech bros who look like they’d unionize only to demand more stock options in exchange for less dignity.And of course, the episode wouldn’t be complete without discussing this new foul-mouthed Supergirl, who arrives like a cosmic warning label and immediately starts cussing out anyone within a five-mile radius. The Giants try to make sense of it all, but naturally end up wandering into philosophical detours, comic book lore debates, and at least one argument about whether Jimmy Olsen needs therapy or a firmware update.If you enjoy superhero analysis mixed with unhinged tangents, this is the perfect finale to the Superman review saga.#tangentialgiants #superman #jamesgunn #supergirl #jimmyolsen #LexLuthor #dcu #dcuniverse #supermanmovie #comicbookmovies #nerdpodcast #popculturepodcast #dccomics #moviediscussions #superherotalk #podcastlife #dcfans