Talking Point: Two Years Later, Is It Finally Almost Time For 'Forspoken' On Xbox?

It's available for Xbox on PC, which begs the question - if next gen aligns closely with a PC infrastructure, will this sort of thing be a thing of the past? I'm all for it either way!

Nah, I'm good. Hard pass.

I'd buy it for like maybe $10 or something like that.

Trust me, my Xbox friends, you don’t want this game. You really don’t.

I got the disc for $5 a few months ago and…I just can’t make myself even put it in my console.

Yeah, do we care?

Wasn’t a great game or hit.
Was ok for a little play, but never stuck with me.
Don’t think it sold that well.

Yeah thanks but no thanks.

Honestly it’s a fine 7/10

Some bad bits, some decent bits to it.

It would have to be on GP as it wouldn’t sell (it quickly dropped in price on PS).

Overall is it worth the effort from all sides? Probably not.

@dskatter I've still got this in shrink-wrap sitting in the shelf of shame, looking forward to it eventually.

I completed this on ps5 and didn't care for it. 6/10 seems like a fair score. I would be surprised if they bothered with an Xbox version. I think SE has moved on from this one.

This is the game that put the nail in the coffin of me ever trusting game reviewers. Got it for $13 from GameStop and loved every second!

As far as being ported, the studio was dissolved by Square Enix so I'm not sure who would work on it. Maybe if Xbox were to pay them in advance like they did for Octopath Traveler, but it probably wouldn't be worth it.

Unless the game already had a port finished for Xbox back when it was being developed, I highly doubt they'll port it now.

It's kind of a shame it'll die like this, but it wasn't that great a game.

Trade Redfall for it and dozens of people will be happy they have access to these two games.

I thought this looked really cool and played it recently after picking it up for a tenner. Unfortunately it really is as bad as the reviews say with a dull open world and awful awful dialogue.

Is about time Xbox players get to suffer through some of the worst dialogue in a video game this gen! Everything else is bad to mediocre too, I recommend it only if you can find it with $20 attached!

The dialogue is insufferable and I'm not playing any home console game muted the whole time.

Sure. I'm all for games getting a second chance at life, even if that's just to die with little fanfare again.

Xbox offers good exclusives & sony offers bad ones , lol, ain’t that something

Anyone who has not played this, is not missing out. Story is very bad and the voice acting is even worse. Gameplay is ok and late in the game with all abilities unlocked it’s almost fun, just almost.

@Kaloudz To be fair SquareEnix is in a unique position that it has a large library of games not on Xbox like Forspoken that can be put into Games Pass while new games can be sold at full price.

I’ll be honest, I’d much prefer Stellar Blade.

@cragis0001 That's very true. Speaking of SE - So long as they bring over FF7R / R2, I'll be a happy chappy.

I think the Xbox community has been through enough

I would buy it again personally. But the gamer brigade dislikes this game.

Ive played it an completed it looked like a remastered ps3 game the combat should be better the parkour was frustrating and has been done better in the infamous games a decade ago. writing wasn't good, unlikeable main character. boring map that frankly looked procedurally generated it all looked the same everything about it has been done better before

5/10

@Kaloudz I think it's only a matter of time with the Final Fantasy 7 remake series. As for Forspoken. It could be added to Games Pass & Microsoft foots the bill for development. But if it's released to purchase. Add a deep discount like Death Stranding for a few weeks.

Folks should give it a go if it arrives. It's a decent 7 out of 10. It won't start a revolution but it certainly won't ruin your week either.

There's actually people who still want this?!

@cragis0001 1000% agree. In fact I agree with that for most games that have already been out for a while elsewhere. It just feels wrong to release at full whack when a game has been out for so long already - at least (as you say) have a healthy discount to begin with.

@Kaloudz hopefully we will get that wish & more if the next gen Xbox comes with Steam, Epic or any other store. As hopefully it will give us more competitive prices & descent sales.

@cragis0001 That's another good point. If the next-box comes with those additional storefronts, prices may become slightly (ever so slightly) more competitive and attractive. Why buy this here when you can buy it there for a few quid cheaper, etc...

@Kaloudz to be fair when I compare sale prices on Xbox, PS5 & Switch. Xbox does ok. Guess the whole argument that Xbox players don't buy games helps give us slightly better pricing on certain games. But Steam like sales would be awesome.

@cragis0001 Steam sales are outstanding. I often go to their store when a game comes to Xbox (that was already available there beforehand) and the prices are usually very, very generous.

@Kaloudz if steam hits the next gen Xbox. Then the Xbox store would need to follow a similar path to be competitive. It wouldn't happen over night as the Xbox store being preloaded would give it a major advantage.

@cragis0001 Oh for sure! Those Steam offers are wayyyyy better than what consoles get, but I'm very curious as to how people manage the whole "Why play Xbox when I can play some Xbox games on PS" when the arguement will then be "Why play PS when I can play PS games through Steam on Xbox and Xbox games on Xbox, and an exhaustive list of Steam games on Xbox"...

@Kaloudz they'll do what some are doing now on YouTube. They'll cap!!!!. I've heard so far that an Asus handheld Xbox & Steam on Xbox doesn't count. Because they are not Microsoft products. Folk are still disputing Steam support. When it's leaked & been hinted at by Phil Spencer.

@cragis0001 I don't suppose you know how well supported the Steam storefronts are on other handheld devices do you? I don't use Steam myself other than to check reviews for games that come over from there but someone from another thread seems to think that it will be barebones with hardly any games. I assumed (unless I'm wrong) that if it's a Steam app, it'd have access to pretty much anything the device can handle? I'm so confused lol. Like, if not, why? O_o surely it's not up to the developers / publishers to say "release this on your platform but not on this, this, and this device"?

@Kaloudz id suspect they'd be highly supported by customers. As my Asus Rog Ally came with info in the box about how to access a free month of PC Games Pass via the Windows store & info of where to download the Steam store. It's own developed software fully shows all games I've installed from Steam for easy access.
As for Steam support on Xbox. There has been talk of Steam saves available for Xbox games. As Sea of Thieves, Indiana Jones & Avowed seem to support it. Also a Steam Games Pass subscription has been hinted at. The tab we seen recently in the removed app UI pic could be for games that support this function.
But with Xbox allowing 3rd party OEMs to develop Windows 11 devices it doesn't make sense for Microsoft's own next gen hybrid to gimp Steam support to a lite model. I'd say it's full support or none at least for games. Mod support could be a different story. I'd hope not as it could be a system seller like Steam itself.

@cragis0001 Yeah that's exactly where my head is at too. It doesn't make much sense for all this pushing, all this hinting, and years of chatter about "tearing down barriers" for them to come out with a lite version. I totally agree, it's going to be all or nothing - and last I heard, Steam and MS are quite chummy - or am I mixing them up with Epic?

Whatever the case, I find it very unlikely that it's not going to be complete access - or something very, very close to it, and I think it's going to be a very defining moment for the market as a whole. I'm all for it personally.

@Kaloudz no you were correct that Microsoft & Valve are good. During the ABK deal a contract for COD on Steam was rejected as Gabe said he trusted Spencer to keep his word.
The people arguing that Steam isn't gonna be on Xbox are just capping. Plus like I said before if it's a digital only eco system they'll have no choice but to open up like Apple & Google.

@cragis0001 During the ABK deal a contract for COD on Steam was rejected as Gabe said he trusted Spencer to keep his word.

That's exactly the memory I was trying to pull from! Thanks bud. Yeah, it says a lot doesn't it? When a platform will forgo a contract because of trust. That's very telling imo.

Speaking of Apple and Google, are they still being shady as hell? Last I looked in - Apple (at least in Europe) was in court over their storefront being too tight and exclusive - and they revised it so that companies like MS have to pay a dollar per user after one million or something?

I hate Apple as a company, personally.

@Kaloudz yeah Apple is still being a headache. I think Google took the slap in the wrist better. But they are still complaining.

The DMA ruled against Apple. Which related to their obligation to competitors. The Commission requested that Apple make its operating system available to its competitors so they can connect with Apple’s devices. Also, the order includes a timeline for how Apple should respond to requests from app developers to open up its systems. Remedies were to allow side loading & allowing 3rd party store fronts. Sound familiar to Xbox's next gen strategy. But both Epic & Microsoft have complained that Apple isn't playing ball & making life difficult.
The charges against Google was its dominance it had with the Google Play and search engine. The regulators said that Google prioritized its own services over rivals in search results. This violates the obligation to ensure fair competition. The DMA laws state that gatekeepers treat third-party services in a “transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory” way. Again Xbox's next gen Steam strategy. Also, the Commission stated that Google prevents app developers from providing better offers by blocking them from steering users to other channels. A service fee for facilitating the inflow of new customers is alleged to be a problem. Remedies included unshackling Google services to OEMs like Samsung. Listing all web browsers of choice during installation process. Giving users back control of personal data & who has access to it. Giving better access to advertising data to competitors.

@cragis0001 So (and forgive me, I'm not clued with the lingo) does that mean that Apple now has to open their phones to third party storefronts and such? I assume that if they don't, the courts can rule that Apple needs to pull out the EU? Or get very heavily fined? I'm all for it myself. I think Apple should certainly be allowing other storefronts and apps (like Xbox Game Pass) on their devices. They've had a very closed off ecosystem for decades and I'm surprised they got this far to begin with.

I had no idea that Google was doing that (or that they were even in court). It's just bloody shady. Don't get me wrong, MS have not been saints since their inception, but, or at least as far as Xbox is concerned, their whole "opening up and tearing down barriers" is very refreshing. I genuinely think that, given their stance these days, they could probably acquire whoever the heck they like and nobody could stand in their way (to an extent).

Listing all web browsers of choice during installation process.

That explains why I saw that popping up when I was setting up my mums new phone lol. I thought it was a pretty new feature.

@Kaloudz in the EU, Apple has to allow 3rd party stores & side loading of apps. If Apple breach those terms they will be fined 10% of their global annual sales. Unfortunately these things take time.
Yeah Google got it as well by the EU. It was also the EU that made USB C standard in all devices. Like I said before Microsoft is doing what anti consumer laws require of them, if the next gen Xbox is a digital only platform. But at the same time it makes them look good & it's a new concept. Which is a bonus for us gamers.

@cragis0001 Ohhhh is that why all the new Apple phones are using that charger now? That makes sense. There's just no need to make an excusive wire, is there? I also detested the whole (and I know this isn't just Apple) "we're no longer selling plugs to save on box waste"... until you need to buy a plug that comes in a separate box...

10% of annual global sales? Bloody hell!! That's insane O_o no wonder they wont wanna be breaching those orders. Good for the courts though, they need to start cracking down on crap like that. Is this the EU Commission?

@Kaloudz yeah the EU has a standard of charging cable which all mobile phone devices have to adopt. But due to the expense it tends to get rolled out worldwide. I remember in the 90's when every mobile manufacturer had their own charger. It was a pain in the ass!!! I bet the EU will come down on them for their ridiculous pricing for accessories.
Aye 10% of annual global sales for a first offense!!! If they fail to comply or try & flaunt the rules. It jumps to 20%!!!! Yes it's the EU Commission that makes sure the laws are followed.

@cragis0001 I don't know much about them (outside of their input over ABK) but I love how ballsy they are to demand 10-20% of annual income. That'd bloody hammer even the most successful of companies, surely?

Yeah I remember the chargers of the 90s too. I don't know what they're called but they were pin-shaped and you'd always root through the bottom draw and pray you had one with the right diameter 🤣

@Kaloudz aye the EU means business. That's why I think Microsoft has gone aggressive with opening up the next gen hybrid Xbox. As it's a fresh strategy, it appeases regulators & allows Microsoft to buy more studios/publishers as no one looses out.As Xbox is everywhere.
Every manufacturer had a charger. I think I had a drawer full 🤣. Great for if you had guests & they'd forgotten a charger lol.

@cragis0001 Yeah that's one point I've raised myself here, about MS being able to acquire more without much question or much fight from FCT / CMA / EUC. I don't think they'll buy much more than they have for the foreseeable, but I do think when the time comes, there's no one that can bat an eyelash. Not even the FTC.

@Kaloudz id say even with their open strategy of being everywhere. Regulators would still have a few avenues of concern. Allowing Microsoft to expand more would allow them to have more influence within the industry. Which could harm consumers. Even their current strategy could harm future acquisitions. As if Sony & Nintendo drag their heels? Microsoft could dominate everything outside the console hardware which was already mentioned with the ABK deal when it comes to cloud gaming.

@cragis0001 Oh so you mean like, cloud domination and publisher / game release domination? I get you (if I've understood correctly). I'm cool with that - I think regulation is important. I didn't agree with half the ABK crap at the time but moving forward I guess it makes sense. I'm interested to see if we hear of any mini acquisitions this summer or next - but I'd rather they focus on what they have for the time being. They'd probably get community slapped if they took more for the foreseeable.

@Kaloudz cloud domination is one revenue of concern that was highlighted during the ABK deal. It's why they had to sell the rights to Ubisoft. Owning key franchises like COD was another. But others in the future would include what Sony is good at. Influencing pricing. Bullying or using it superiority in other keys area to influence where games can & can't go to etc. gaining unfair advantages to the competition.
We did hear rumours that Xbox was talking to Ubisoft about IP. But I suspect if Xbox was gonna acquire anyone ATM. It be more support studios to help with getting games out the door quicker on other platforms. Kinda like what Sony did with nixxes.
But to be fair it looks like they are happy investing with what they have until something special comes along.

@cragis0001 I do wonder what happens to the ABK / Ubisoft deal if Ubisoft don't survive for the duration of the deal (was it like 15 years or something? Or was their slice of the deal in perpetuity?) I appreciate all your knowledge on the matter mate. You're very informed and have a memory like a freakin' T1000.

I'd suspect if Ubisoft collapsed or was acquired by say Tencent that the cloud rights would revert back to Microsoft. But then they'd have to work out another deal to comply with previous regulatory scrutiny.
I work with a guy who owns his own business so we speak about how a business runs & during the ABK deal he'd explain consumer law & regulatory scrutiny. So when Microsoft mentioned Steam we both were like the next Xbox is digital only.
As for my knowledge of Microsoft. I did IT & web design when I was younger. So learned computer programming etc. but even now that I gave it up due to it being more apps now a days. I kept an interest in it.