The Optional Podcast

A video game podcasts that reminds you to engage with the world around you too. Hosted by Paul Tamayo alongside the one and only Cam Brewster, this is video game commentary for the rest of us.

Leisure
Video Games
126
Episode 122 - Double Crossplay
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week, the guys recover from E3, talk some new games (and old) and ask Sony to let us go free.</span></p>
49 min
127
Episode 121 - E3 2018 Hangover
<p>Well, it came and went just like that. And we spent close to 2 hours jamming as much loopy late night content into a single episode and we go to some weird places. Catch our thoughts on all of the latest news and announcements from E3 2018, your questions, and more! Tune in and join the conversation!</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Music by Salzar</span></p> <p><span style= "font-weight: 400;">soundcloud.com/5alazar</span></p>
119 min
128
Episode 120.5 - E3 2018 HYPE
<p>Just when you thought you couldn't get more excited. We hit you with our very first bonus episode! We chat all things E3 2018 and hit you with some of our predictions. So tune in and join the discussion in the Discord too!</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Music by Salzar</span></p> <p><span style= "font-weight: 400;">soundcloud.com/5alazar</span></p>
42 min
129
Episode 120 - Lifehacks and Lawsuits
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week, the guys are joined by returning guest Cody Davis to chat Mario Tennis Aces, PixelJunk Monsters 2, Just Shapes & Beats, and more. In the news it’s packed full of pre-E3 reveals, new Fallout news, Fortnite being sued, Atari’s return, new Pokemon news and problematic cornballs get exposed online. As always, another round of questions and our recommendations for the week. Stay tuned after the show for a light Far Cry 5 spoiler chat. Tune in and join the conversation!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Music by Salzar</span></p> <p><span style= "font-weight: 400;">soundcloud.com/5alazar</span></p>
85 min
130
Episode 119 - Meta Challenge
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week the guys talk the usual suspects along with some new games like H1Z1, Moonlighter, Wizard of Legend, and Framed. In the news it’s Battlefield V hype, E3 hype, and one of our Switch predictions is coming true… sorta. As always another round of questions and our recommendations for the week. So clean the grill, tune in, and join the conversation!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paul’s recommendation: City Pop YouTube Radio</span></p> <p><span style= "font-weight: 400;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HsXiLHWJIc</span></p> <p><br /> <br /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Music by Salzar</span></p> <p><span style= "font-weight: 400;">soundcloud.com/5alazar</span></p>
65 min
131
Episode 118 - Get Rich Quick
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week the guys talk more Fortnite, Overwatch, Destiny 2, and Overcooked! Tons of pre-E3 Black Ops IIII hype, amazing Xbox One controllers, New No Mans Sky multiplayer, another incredible round of questions and our recommendations for the week. So sit down, let us show y’all this quick video real quick and JOIN THE CONVERSATION.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Music by Salzar</span></p> <p><a href="soundcloud.com/5alazar"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">soundcloud.com/5alazar</span></a></p>
60 min
132
Episode 117 - Late Vegetation
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week the guys are just a tad bit late but here nevertheless. Hear us talk more Fortnite, Destiny 2, Overwatch, Yakuza 6, I Am Setsuna, and TONS more. Tune in and join the conversation!</span></p>
63 min
133
Episode 116 - Back in Business
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">WE’RE BACK. Paul returns from his trip abroad to Japan and South Korea and the guys are joined by friend of the show and rapper extraordinaire, Doc, to discuss travelling, games, and a bonus spoilercast for Infinity War at the end of the show! So tune in and join the conversation!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Doc’s Soundcloud</span></p> <p><a href="https://soundcloud.com/evotionfreative"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">https://soundcloud.com/evotionfreative</span></a></p>
136 min
134
Episode 115 - Seoul For Real
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before Paul leaves town for Tokyo and Seoul, the guys chat about Radical Heights, God of War, Fortnite, Donkey Kong high scores, actual SEGA announcements, questions and TONS more. So tune in and join the conversation!</span></p>
47 min
135
Episode 114 - Streamer Variety
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we talk more Far Cry 5, Fortnite, Bayonetta 2 and The Division. In the news it’s all about Spider-Man’s release date and Far Cry 5 impressive sales numbers. Rounding out the show is another round of questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in and join the conversation!</span></p>
52 min
136
Episode 113 - Resurrections
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week, we talk more Far Cry 5, Battle Royale and Monster Hunter World! In the news we have even more No Mans Sky, SEGA up to something, mysterious comets in Fortnite, and what a shocker: racist emote jokes on Twitch. As always rounding out the show with listener questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in and join the conversation!</span></p>
53 min
137
Episode 112 - Where the Players Dwell
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week, Cam and Paul sport some extra puffy bubble jackets and goggles to bring you the latest in gaming goodness. This week we talk Cam’s trip to Thailand, Sea of Thieves, A Way Out, Far Cry 5, Lumines returns, Fortnite mobile and TONS more. So tune in, practice that choreographed dance in black and white and join the conversation!</span></p>
60 min
138
Episode 111 - Yippe Ki-Yay
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we talk Vermintide 2, Darwin Project, Splatfest, Chuchel and Bloodbourne as well as some of our regular games. We also chat weird violent video game compilations at the White House, Nintendo Direct news, The Division 2 and Black Ops IIII. As always a hilarious round of questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in and join the conversation!</span></p>
72 min
139
Episode 110 - No Hoodies
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we baked a metaphorical cake for the Switch’s birthday. Alongside a lot of people we actually know who actually have birthdays. Then we talk new games like Into the Breach, Mulaka, Deadbolt and some of our other regulars. As always, news, questions and our recommendations for the week. Tune in and join the conversation.</span></p>
63 min
140
Episode 109 - Real Ones
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week, we’ve got TONS to talk about. Hear us chat Florence, Assassin’s Creed Origins Discovery Tour, Metal Gear Survive, Moss for PSVR, Bayonetta and Final Station on Switch, and the new DLC for Battlefield 1. Another bite-sized round of questions and our recommendations for the week: some dope new music and an entertaining dating show? Yes. Only on this show. So tune in, resync your joy-cons and join the conversation!</span></p>
61 min
141
Episode 108 - Wakanda Foreverz
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With Black Panther finally out, we have a regular bitesized show followed by a special in-depth spoiler chat on the movie. Find out what we thought about the film, cast and most importantly ask: how is Lupita so damn fine? So take your special edible “herbs”, bury yourself in some sand and meet us in the ancestral plane. Wakanda Forever.</span></p>
82 min
142
Episode 107 - Drop a Pin
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we talk some of the usual suspects with some new titles (for us) like Rime, Dragon Quest Builders, Octogeddon and A Case of Distrust. In the news it’s shitty online “celebrities”, new trailers, shitty developers, NEW RIDGE RACER (?) and Smash trophies. Another round of questions and our recommendations for the week round out the show. So tune in and join the conversation!</span></p>
76 min
143
Episode 106 - Third Time’s a Charm
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we’re talking more Monster Hunter World, Celeste, Blossom Tales and Paul got some hands-on time with Nintendo Labo!! In the news it’s more delays and we get a 2018 window for Nintendo Online. So tune in and join the conversation!</span></p>
53 min
144
Episode 105 - Don’t Google It
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week is chock-full of gaming goodness. We talk Shadow of the Colossus, Sea of Thieves closed beta, and of course Monster Hunter World!!! We also talk about the latest God of War trailer, forgetting people’s names, our rap names and as usual our recommendations for the week. So tune in, download the Pro patch, and join the conversation!</span></p>
61 min
145
Episode 104 - Full Meme Ahead
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week the guys catch up on some <em>Overwatch</em> League while checking out some new games like <em>Blossom Tales</em>, <em>Axiom Verge</em>, <em>Night in the Woods</em> and the betas for <em>Metal Gear Survive</em> and <em>Darwin Project</em>. In the news it’s all about Nintendo’s Labo and <em>Splatoon 2</em>’s success in Japan. Rounding out the show, as always, are listener questions and our recommendations for the week. So tune in, kill that problematic meme, and join the conversation!</span></p>
70 min
146
Episode 103 - Best of the Best of the Best
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week the guys already start off checking those New Year resolution boxes by finishing up some games like Yakuza Kiwami and Steamworld Dig 2 as well as some Dragon Quest Builders on Switch. In the news it’s some VR improvements out of CES, Nintendo Direct news and remasters. As always, another round of questions and our recommendations to close out the show. So tune in, get your lists in order and join the convo!</span></p>
60 min
147
Episode 102 - Higher Resolutions
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’re back bringing in the new year with that gaming goodnessss. Hear us chat what’s on our playlist from the past two weeks, our gaming resolutions for the new year, idiot YouTubers abroad, Switch shattering sales records, Battle Royale games and even crypto-currencies. Tune in and join the convo!</span></p>
60 min
148
Episode 101 - The Last Jedi Spoilercast
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Boom, just when you thought we were done, we bring you a special holiday bonus episode. As we celebrate the holidays and usher in the new year, we are joined by the man, the myth, the former cohost and legendary GASBAG: Roman France! Join us as we talk Twitter breaks, algorithms, outrage culture and our in-depth spoiler cast for Star Wars: The Last Jedi! So tune in and join the conversation.</span></p>
82 min
149
Episode 100 - The 2nd Annual Optional Awards
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the end of 2017 rapidly approaching, we take some time to look back at the incredible year of gaming that we’ve all experienced. Oh and we turn 100! We break down the awards into 8 major categories and widdle the nominees down until we find our winners. So rush past the red carpet, smile for a couple of paparazzi shots and make your way to your seat. The show starts now. Join us and join in on the conversation!</span></p>
89 min