@Foxx_64740 Some people don't have the mental capacity to actually read what I wrote. I clearly stated that these games are 'FREE' on Game Pass - to indicate that there is NO EXTRA CHARGE if you own a Game Pass Subscription.
Game Pass is a 'platform', just like Netflix or Disney+. All the content on that Platform is Free to access to those on that platform but to be on that Platform, there is a Subscription Fee. Game Pass is no different, you pay a 'fee' to be on that Platform, but then you don't have to pay any 'extra' money whether the game is a brand new, day 1 release or an 'old', not even this generation hardware, game. So everything in it is FREE because you 'pay' for Game Pass - no different to the PS+ Essential 'Free' games every month that you get at NO charge/Free because you have a PS+ subscription you 'pay' for to get 'Free' games, online access etc.
I chose Perfect Dark - really because I think it probably surprised me most after hearing stories of troubles. Actually seeing a slice of Game-play and it looking pretty good was perhaps the biggest surprise.
I could have voted for E-Day too as its setting was a big surprise, or one of the games coming this year which I'm more excited for right now but only because they are 'nearly' ready, nearly time for me to play. Fable too is really impressing and Doom looks like fun.
South of Midnight gave me mixed opinions - the animation in Cut Scenes looked terrible, very stuttery/low frame rate, but then the game-play looked much smoother - but overall more interested than I was before the show.
I don't really think there was one 'standout' for me - there were many and I was excited by the Future because of a Strong show. Even the rest of 2024 looks 'strong' let alone considering games coming beyond to be excited for...
@stefan771 No - a Remaster can be so much more than just a port to modern hardware. Settings 'turned' up is the same game it was when it released with 'PC' settings on max - just 'ported' to modern console that can now run it at 4k with the settings turned up.
Its not like Skyrim remastered for example it looks like a 'lazy' port. It looks like the OG version running on BC with a res boost turned on rather than a 'remaster' of an old game. Some remasters will use much higher quality models, textures, lighting etc to bring then up to date. This looks dated
@Mustoe Not at all - there is a difference between 'Free' on Game Pass for example which is a FACT, despite the fact that 'Game Pass' itself has a 'cost' so not completely FREE in that sense.
If you have a Game Pass Subscription, you do not have to pay a penny to play, therefore they are FREE to play to Subscribers. With Game Pass, which we ALL know has a cost to it, these games are completely 'FREE' to play - no other or hidden costs, just that 'Subscription' fee regardless of what games release into Game Pass. Game Pass has a fee, it is NOT FREE, but the Content it offers within is FREE to Subscribers. For non-subscribers, they have to Pay to Play.
When Call of Duty releases for example, I can play it FREE because of having a Game Pass Subscription. Without it, I'd have to pay £70 to play it and still have to pay for Game Pass Core too to play MP/Zombies. With GPU, I can play it day 1 at NO extra Charge, therefore 'FREE' to me as I have Game Pass Ultimate - that will also let me play on my RoG Ally 'Free', on my 3080ti Laptop 'Free', on my Series X 'Free', on my Samsung TV or Mobile 'Free'. The game is 'Free' to play because I 'pay' for Game Pass - GP isn't 'free', but all the 100's of games it lets me play at NO extra cost are Free to play because I pay for Game Pass
Yes there is a 'charge' for the Subscription, but that does mean I get to play ALL the games within that Subscription for 'FREE' where games not in that Subscription - like Assassins Creed Shadows or Elden Ring for example will require buying to Play,
As for 'ownership', I have decades of Games in boxes that I never play and certainly haven't touched beyond the first 'year' they released. In fact when I moved out in 2013, before the XB1/PS4 gen released, I threw away boxes and boxes of games on tapes, discs etc from my Vic20 days all the way up to PS2/N64. The only games I 'kept' were 360/PS3 games as that was 'current'. However, I haven't touched them since the XB1/PS4 gen released, and since the XSX/PS5 gen, I'm not playing old games I bought/finished when 'new' games are out.
I couldn't care less if I can't play Hellblade 2 in 10yrs time because I didn't 'buy' it, If I'm still gaming, I'll be more interested in what's out then.
If you can't differentiate the difference between paying for a Subscription so you can access EVERYTHING contained within it for FREE (at NO extra cost to Subscribers, therefore 'FREE' to play WITH your Subscription), then that's on you...
I will be playing these Games 'Free' (at NO extra cost) because I have paid for a Game Pass Subscription. 'Yes - Game Pass has a Cost associated with it and whilst I do see your point, the purpose of these Subscriptions is to grant 'FREE' access to ALL the content contained within - no extra cost whether the content is 'old' or 'new', no extra cost to watch/play the exact same games that 'others' would have to pay a LOT more to 'play' Day 1 or buy a Subscription to play that game and hundreds of games 'Free' with that Subscription.
Nothing is ever 'technically' Free but with Game Pass, I can play hundreds of games at no 'extra' cost, essentially FREE with my Subscription - but its the Subscription that 'costs' not the Content it contains
@Mustoe No one is saying that there isn't some 'cost' involved - but WITH a paid Game Pass Subscription, then those games are FREE to Play. With a paid Netflix or Disney+ Subscription, all TV/Movies are 'Free' to watch. With a Paid for Magazine, you may get some 'Freebie' on the front at 'no extra' cost.
When I go to the Supermarket and see 25% extra 'free' for example, I consider that 'Free' too despite the fact I'm having to buy the Product. A pack of 8 beers with 25% extra FREE, so 10beers for the 'price' of 8 isn't really 2 'free, as you have to 'buy' 8, spend money - its just that each 'beer' is cheaper rather than 2 beers FREE - but you are still getting them 'FREE' WITH your Purchase - just like these games are FREE WITH your Subscription...
@GeeEssEff The fortnite analogy that you quite rightly picked up on is because you stated Fortnite is ''FREE', Starfield isn't - yet without paying for electricity and internet, even hardware to play it on, you can't play it FREE!!
You pay whatever 'cost' the Subscription fee costs to access ALL the content that Subscription enables you to access for 'Free' as in you are not paying money to buy the movie/show, paying money to go to the Cinema or 'miss out' until it comes to Freeview channels etc. Everything contained in that Subscription can be accessed for Free WITH a Subscription.
As I said, you had Games with Gold and PS+ (now PS+) essential with 'Free' games every month too. Even those '360' GwG games you got to keep 'forever', by your argument weren't Free either as you had to be Subscribed to get them 'Free'...
@Mustoe The games are 'Free' with Game Pass. yes you have to pay for Game Pass, but everything in that Service is 'Free' - you don't have to pay a penny extra to play whatever Games you want, when you want in that Subscription service. They are 'free' to access WITH a Subscription.
Yes there is a 'cost' for that Subscription, but with that Subscription, you get to play these games Free which without that Subscription would require you to Pay before you play.
I can watch ALL the content in Netflix 'FREE' with my 'Netflix' Subscription. If I stop paying for Game Pass, then I'd have to Pay money to play Starfield, Forza, MLB, CoD, Hellblade etc etc but with my Subscription, I can play all those 'Free'.
Accessing these is 'FREE' WITH a Game Pass Subscription because you do not have to pay any money to play these if you have a Subscription. They are FREE with a Subscription, just like you only get a Game 'Free' if you buy a game in a Buy one, get one 'FREE' sale. That wasn't totally 'Free' but Free With something, just like these are 'Free' with a Subscription...
@GeeEssEff They are FREE with Game Pass as in I don't have to PAY anything to Play those games (and hundreds of games) because I have a Game Pass Subscription.
Disney+ lets you watch any of the Content for FREE with your Disney+ Subscription. Yes there is a Subscription fee, but that is letting you watch whatever you want when you want for 'Free' with your Subscription. Its the Subscription that 'costs' and that is a 'given', but everything within that is 'FREE' as you are not paying ANYTHING on top of that.
Buy one get one 'Free' isn't 'free' as you have to buy 'something', therefore money changes hands. Even if technically you haven't given 'money' for the 'free' item, you had to buy 'something' - much like buying a Game Pass Subscription to enable you to play ALL the games in that service, inc any Day 1 releases, FREE as in you do not have to give ANY money to Play CoD Day 1 before you can play because you have a Game Pass Subscription.
Stop paying your internet or Electricity bill and see how much Fortnite you can Play pal!! There are 'costs' everywhere - even in Free to Play games as you need to buy Hardware, need to pay for 'internet' and Electricity to play them.
Without Game Pass, I'd have to 'pay' to play these games - with Game Pass, I do not - they are 'Free' to play WITH a Game Pass Subscription. Whilst game pass may have a Cost, that Subscription allows Subscribers to play EVERYTHING contained within that for 'Free', at NO extra cost.
Free 'gifts' on Magazines were 'Free' even if you had to buy a Magazine to get them so money changed hands.
@GeeEssEff As I am NOT paying to play ANY of those games, I can access them ALL FREE because I have a Game Pass Subscription, they are 'FREE' to play.
I'm paying for Game Pass not paying to play CoD, Doom, MSFS, Indiana Jones or any of the other games to 'play' specifically. I have to 'buy' Assassins Creed Shadows to 'Play' so that has a direct cost to it - as will CoD, Doom etc too but I don't have to 'Pay' that or miss out.
The 'free' games on PS+ or Games with Gold were considered 'FREE' too despite you 'paying' a Subscription fee.
Either get used to people referring them to Free as that is the point of the Subscription - to be able to play 100's of Games - inc New releases Day/Date at 'no' extra cost, 'FREE' to ALL Game Pass Subscribers or continue being 'petty'...
Well no doubt we will be seeing more of the Games expected in the second half of 2024 and in 2025. Clockwork Revolution for example was absent this year and of course 'E-Day' could have Game-play to excite. Perfect Dark, State of Decay 3 may return, maybe Fable and South of Midnight release date reveals too.
That's without considering games like Kojima's Xbox game or Contraband - 3rd Party MS Published games - or the First Party Studio Games we don't know about yet. Call of Duty too will likely be at next years show...
@GeeEssEff Game Pass itself isn't 'free' but access to all the Games Day 1 is 'free' - as in there is NO extra charge.
Netflix isn't Free either but all the Content you can access is considered Free, same with Amazon Prime - Free Next Day delivery, Free 'Content' to watch, Free 'games' etc. It's the same with Game Pass Core games that are considered 'Free' to play, (or the Games with Gold games before that), same with PS+ tiers (or the old PS+/PSNow Subs). PS+ has 'free' monthly games for Subscribers...
You can't play EVERYTHING in a Call of Duty game for £70 on Playstation as it requires PS+ Essential to play MP/Zombies but how many factor that in to the cost - they 'don't' because they are paying for PS+ regardless of whether they buy CoD to play other games too.
The point is that those games are 'free' to Play for anyone with a Game Pass Subscription where as everyone else will be required to 'buy' the game, spend £70 to play. Its not just that '1' game either as Game Pass has 100's of games you can play 'free' with that Subscription. The Sub may have a 'cost' but the Games you can play 'don't'...
It was clear to me before they announced, let alone released these 4 games, that MS would continue to release 'Some' games on Playstation.
Minecraft (and its Spin-offs) has remained multi-platform since MS bought Mojang. I certainly expected CoD to remain multi-platform too - in fact numerous ABK 'IP's' (Diablo, Overwatch) are likely to remain Multiplatform.
For MS, the ONLY Platform they can realistically target for additional Sales to boost their revenue, Like Sony do with their 'PC' releases, is the Playstation as MS already target PC day/date. If Starfield does eventually release on PS, its similar to Spider-Man eventually releasing on 'PC' - release on Platform you don't 'own' or have your own 'Store' on to extract as much 'revenue' you can for your 'IP' once you've extracted as many Hardware and/or Game sales you can from your own user base.
I couldn't care less if they do release EVERYTHING on PS eventually. Xbox will be where you can play 'Free' on Game Pass, Play it Day 1, not a year or more later. I have a PS5, but I'm not playing BO6 or Doom on PS5 when I can play it 'free' on Xbox, not buying Starfield/Indy Jones if they do release on PS when I can, and probably will have played on Xbox...
If they want to sell 'elsewhere', whatever money they get in is likely to be invested in Xbox Gaming. I'd rather they sell to Playstation to increase their 'revenue' that way than put prices up or stop putting games in Game Pass Day 1...
Blood & Wine - the 2nd and final DLC Expansion in the superb Witcher 3 - how to do an expansion right! It had more game-play, Story, fun side quests/missions and a great 'conclusion' to the Completed collection.
At the end of the day this could benefit MS too in the long run. New Perfect Dark fans may well want to play the reboot which is only on MS and Zero too of course.
Its like Sony hoping that Lego Horizon will make more Horizon Fans so Switch/PC owners will buy a Playstation to play Horizon games Day 1 in the future.
Just think of all the 'other' crossovers we could see - Wolfenstein, Halo, Perfect Dark, Gears of War etc - let alone the IP's that perhaps you wouldn't link with a 'shooter' like Forza, Fable, Elder Scrolls or Psychonauts.
I still think they could do a Kart racer, an arcade brawler or some other party/fun games with their IP's - Crash, Spyro, Psychonauts, Blinx, Conker etc as well as Master Chief, Doom guy, Capt Price, Pipboy etc as playable characters...
Looks more of a port - with settings and resolution turned up for 'modern' hardware. Doesn't look as if they've done any 'work' on the game - improving textures, character models, faces environmental detail, lighting etc etc..
@Pusher2021 They ain't going to pay out for a license they can't sell in their store and recoup that money.
They didn't sell 'many' on Xbox in the first place and as they are moving to a 'digital preservation future, so that you can 'buy' as well as 'play' old games, they aren't going to bother about trying to convince Hasbro who Licenced that version on 360 hardware and you can still play on 360 hardware as long as you 'preserve' the hardware etc
They have added a new bunch of games they can now work on - like Prototype, Crash 4, Call of Duty etc - games Microsoft now owns the IP, the Licence etc to 'bring' back via BC and 'preserve' digitally in their 'store'
They don't own the James Bond, Marvel or Transformers Licences!!!
Its probably quite easy for Todd. Its not as if he has to sit down and 'build' these games simultaneously from scratch. He could go to Machinegames, Bethesda or whatever other Studio/Team are working on Projects and give them Direction for the week/month ahead after assessing how that team are progressing since the last time he gave them 'direction' and be on 'call' should any problems arise.
No doubt if a team is 'unsure of whether they should/could do something, they'd run it by Todd, maybe even provide a 'demo/sample' for Todd to check but its not as if Todd himself is sat at a desk 'developing' these games simultaneously. He has developers building the game and he is the one ultimately to decide what those devs 'do', what they'll be creating and how Todd wants it to look, play, feel etc but Todd can check in once a week or so to check progress...
too early to be excited for this from my perspective.
All I will say though is that the initial reveal trailer was interesting and certainly seems to have potential, but until its much closer to release, I won't know if its realised that potential. Therefore I won't be 'excited' until much closer to release, but I will keep my eye on this...
Fallout 76 and Fallout 4 are still 'current' in many ways thanks to ongoing support for their MMO and Backwards Compatibility on PS5/Series S/X hardware. In otherwords, they can still sell those games and their DLC content to 'new' Fallout fans eager to find out more about the Fallout IP.
Whilst they don't have to rush out a Fallout 5 just to capitalise on the Fallout show, that doesn't mean they can't or won't push a 'Remaster' of their earlier Fallout games. 3 and New Vegas could be quite Lucrative and Quicker to 'rush' out too as the 'bulk' of the work is done. Its a Port with all the Voice work, Story, setting etc already done - turn the settings up, increase the res, maybe add some extra Procedurally generated 'density' and maybe RTGI and sell it as a Remaster like Skyrim last gen. Maybe will take some 'time' porting etc, but a LOT less time than building Fallout 5 from scratch, writing a story in a 'new' setting, recording all the Voice lines with 'new' characters, NPC's etc.
A 'remaster' of 3/NV or bringing 1 & 2 to console for the first time could be 'rushed' (by rushed, I just mean given a high priority to get out sooner than planned/expected) rather than compromise a 'new' build just to get it out 'sooner'.
@Mustoe Every game is basically capable of occupying your valuable leisure 'time' - whether it requires you to buy or not. If you'd rather play a Game that requires you to Buy before you Play, like Assassin's Creed Shadows for example, you'll pay that asking fee to 'spend your time' in that World over ALL the other Games you could play, inc those you already own, because its the Game you most want to 'fill' your valuable gaming time.
Game Pass may take away that Financial barrier - its not asking for extra money up front before you find out whether that Game really is where you'd like to spend your time, it gives you the option to try it first. All its asking of you as a Gamer is 'have we done enough to appeal to you to give us some of your time to try our game?'. Especially as you have 'hundreds' of other games in Game Pass asking the same question. They are all competing for your time first, money second...
With paid for games, you never know if they are worth your time until you've bought them. They are asking do you think our game is 'worth' the asking price? However, you'll find out if its worth your time and money only after they have grabbed your money. These are competing for your Money first, time second - hence you get Hype cycle before Broken releases at launch where they have your money despite the game not being 'worth' your time (yet - until they've patched it).
Game Pass may not require Purchases, but if you deem a Game worthy enough of your time, you may end up buying it, buying DLC, extras etc. You'll buy to play if you are enjoying your 'time' in the game to 'keep' it forever.
They are ALL competing for your Time and some games are also competing for your money before you can spend 'time' in that game. If you'd prefer to spend your time in a £70 game over a 'free' Game Pass game, you'll buy it because you'd rather spend your time in that £70 game over spending Time in something you could play at no cost to you.
How would you know if its 'worth' your time - whether you can play free with a Sub or have to 'pay' first for without that Sub (maybe on another Platform too like Doom/BO6 or don't Sub to that Game Pass tier) without a review? Without some 'research'? Is this worth your time 'more' because its on Game Pass or because its reviewed Well?
@Pusher2021 MS cannot 'preserve' the games they have no 'control' or 'Licence' to 'preserve'. If they NO LONGER have the Licence for Hasbro/Transformers, they have NO right to preserve those.
If you 'own' those games, you bought them specifically for the Hardware of that time. If you bought for Xbox 360, you can play on 360 as long as you have a working 360 and Copy of that game. It was 'never' released for Xbox Series S/X hardware and as its 'illegal' to profit from anothers IP, it would be foolish to 'sell' it. Its 'preserved' on the Hardware it launched on effectively.
MS can't 'sell' the Activision Transformers games anymore as they no longer have the Hasbro licence - therefore those games are NOT likely to come to BC and they remain 'playable' on the Hardware that they had been licenced for - even if you cannot 'buy' them because they were 'delisted!!'
Its far too complicated to 'preserve' every game ever made today because license holders, devs, Publishers etc have disappeared making it impossible to find ALL the right people to get 'legal' permission to use anothers IP. MS don't own Transformers, just like they don't own Spider-Man or James Bond IP's, so cannot 'preserve' those games. Goldeneye took a LOT of negotiating, compromises etc to bring that game 'back' despite owning Rare who own the Game Code. Nintendo own the Publishing rights and there is the James Bond Licence too - maybe why MS can't 'sell it' separately but can put it on Game Pass and make it part of Rare Replay too...
Whilst its sad to see a Studio with a decent back catalogue of Gaming titles closing, we don't really know what 'state' that Studio was in. We know the creator of Evil Within was no longer at Tango and it may well have been 'logistically' difficult to build that Studio up and/or support it fully due to Location.
Activision have announced 2 new Studio's opening since acquisition - Infinity Ward Austin (where MS has a few Studios although ended up closing Arkane Austin) and Elsewhere Studios in Poland. Poland is likely to be Cheaper (rates etc) and logistically maybe easier as Europe has a LOT of Developers to recruit from and not as 'Isolated' from MS's other Studios for 'support' as their Japanese studio was.
I do still feel this as a LOSS and a disappointing outcome though as a Gamer and wish ALL those affected at Tango a successful future.
@Pusher2021 I don't think you'll see the Transformers games - not unless MS does a deal with Hasbro to have the Licence to remake old and/or new Transformers games. I think these are likely to be the same as Activision's Marvel games (like Spider-Man) or their James Bond games (like Skyfall) for example due to licensing issues.
I don't think you can 'buy' Transformers today (not unless you can find it on Disc somewhere) as they were delisted after Activision no longer had the Hasbro Licence.
I'd love to see the War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron Transformers games to be remastered or even receive some BC upgrades (res/frame rate boosts), but I don't think we will see many of Activisions 'old' Licensed titles on Game Pass...
@abe_hikura Lets be honest here, if MS hadn't bought ABK, any of these 'OLD' ABK games coming to Game Pass would have felt like a filler to fill in the Gaps between the Big 'new' releases.
Even some brand new releases don't get that much love/attention from gamers if they aren't AAA or 90+ on Metacritic, let alone a game from at least 2yrs ago that didn't exactly win awards and that they don't 'own' to be excited for.
Diablo 4 was released into Game Pass whilst that title was 'relevant' and still receiving Content. If they release CoD 360 games into Game Pass, they are 'dead' unsupported games these days and I expect barely played - same with Prototype for example.
Point is, the 'bulk' of games they could add are basically the 'old' games that won't move the needle in terms of getting people to Subscribe. Yes some Subscribers may be 'happy' to get to play those Spyro, Crash remakes etc but its not going to bring people in like Black Ops 6 day/date might - those big Day 1 games.
So whilst I do think that these may well come in the 'rest' of 2024, I don't think its a 'major' announcement type situation that will suddenly change 'momentum' for MS/Game Pass, because the vast majority are 'dead' games in that their life cycle is over - old release no longer selling, being supported etc. If they weren't 'ABK' now owned by MS games, a 'dead' game coming to Game Pass would seem like a 'Filler'.
I doubt they can give away the latest CoD's, even most of the XB1 era CoDs, as Sony will likely have some 'deal' in place keeping them from Game Pass or at the very least, not able to be 'promoted' by MS/Xbox until BO6 is out, they'll want their 'year' of promotions and bonuses etc with MW3. So maybe they have to 'wait' for CoD on Game Pass - especially with the newer releases.
Apart from Crash, Spyro and TH remakes (I count Crash 4 in that - whilst not technically a remake, its a follow-up to a remake of a 20+ yr old game) ABK haven't exactly released a lot during the XB1/XSX era - most are OG or 360 games that 'could' come to Game Pass now and I wouldn't think that many are 'excited' about playing 'old' games so I do think they'll feel 'filler' even if MS doesn't use them as Filler....
@Fiendish-Beaver All I meant was that things we know from playing the Trilogy, the 'other' characters (inc Maria for example) could have more impact in E-Day for Players familiar with the later games.
The only way to Play Gears 2/3 on a PC is via Game Pass Cloud as they never had a PC release - unlike Gears 1. Therefore, I think they will release these, if not as a 'Remaster' pack inc Gears 1 in 'UE5', A definitive 'pack' on EVERY current MS hardware. 2 and 3 were 360 only and whilst they are playable via BC, I do think they'll bring these 'forward' so that its playable on PC too natively and 'preserved'
Whether they do it as just the Campaigns with all the online MP/Horde/Beast modes removed so people play the latest versions - or they do something more Halo CE, I don't know - but I do think they'll release at least remakes of 2 and 3. The Ultimate version of Gears 1 maybe wouldn't need Remastering or a lot of work compared to 2/3 if they do, but I do think they'll release 2/3 on PC at some point in the near future.
The structure and 'most' of the work is done - and it would be a good way to get to grips with UE5 instead of also trying to 'build' a game as well as learn an engine. Maybe a small team project for a group of the Coalition Devs or another Studio - but I do think they'll want to bring at least 2 and 3 more 'up to date' and released on PC...
@BrilliantBill However, with their 'new' (although now over a Decade old) policy of bringing their games day/date to PC and the fact that some games were never released on PC, they would address that with a Remake of at least 2 and 3.
Gears 1 had a PC port and an Ultimate Edition released on XB1 but Gears 2 and 3 were never released to PC so I do think that it would make sense to bring a remastered trilogy out first so that PC Players can play through the whole trilogy before E-Day releases.
I think the 'prequel' would have more impact for those Gears fans that have played the Trilogy, met the Characters etc. Retro Lancers maybe aren't 'retro' in this setting but again, maybe things from Gears 2/3 would help immerse and have more impact if everyone had played the Trilogy. We could get to meet Maria for example...
As excited as I am for E-Day, I don't have a clue when to expect it. We haven't really seen anything from the Coalition themselves since Hivebusters back in 2020, but we know they have also been assisting many others with their 'UE5' expertise - everything from the Matrix Awakens to helping internal studios.
There has been numerous rumours of a Marcus Fenix 'trilogy' remaster too, the First 3 games, 2 of which didn't release on PC, which could release before we get this 'prequel'. I think it would make sense to release the trilogy first so people get the full impact of the Prequel.
This could be further along than people think, just because they could have been working on it longer than expected. After all, we kept hearing that they were helping Studio's, possibly working on a Remaster or working on Gears 6 so when its 'revealed' to be GoW:E-Day, completely different to what people expected, and a CGi trailer too, it seems 'years' away.
With the next 6 months looking 'packed' with games, and 2025 looking to carry on delivering, I am not getting 'excited' by this yet. It's certainly one of the Games that will keep me Subscribed to Game Pass for the foreseeable future knowing that the games are coming....
I'm happy with my Day 1 Series X and see no point in buying the new models when my current model is just as Good as the new models. The only difference is 'colour' and a 1TB extra Storage - but I have Extra Storage in my Series X anyway
I have pre-ordered the Vault Edition upgrade through Xbox Game Pass so I should get both the PC and Xbox version so can play on my Xbox, Laptop and/or RoG Ally. So glad I won't have to buy twice...
Looking forward to the return of Round Based Zombies too...
I'd argue that if this due in November, then Black Ops 6 coming in October is Closest to Launch - although MSFS24 could beat it to release too.
Avowed certainly looks interesting but I have never played a Pillars game. I don't know if it will be something I want to jump in Day 1 or not due to time commitments but I'm looking forward to seeing more.
Looked Amazing and really captured the British Humour I expect from a Fable game - looking forward to playing this!#
I didn't overlook it - but I also don't get excited with a plethora of games coming in the rest of 2024 without considering games without a release date coming sometime next year...
@GamingFan4Lyf Oh I know full well about the Coalition and their Unreal experience. I was merely making a comment about the Coalition being the 'go to' Studio within the 'MS' group (Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda & ABK.
The point I was trying to make though is that MS has all these Studios - inc the Coalition - for ALL their Studios to get any help/support they need. If making an UE5 game, I'd expect the Coalition to provide some assistance as the UE5 experts. The fact they can reach out to other Studios for help - maybe reach out to Ninja Theory for Mo-Cap assistance.
The 'more' Studios they have, the more 'experience' they have as well as a 'bigger' network to help/support each other etc. If a Studio wants to make a Shooter for example, they have ABK CoD devs and id Software to help. I heard that id software help Bethesda with their combat in Starfield to 'improve' it beyond what Bethesda themselves could and have done with Fallout - Starfield combat does feel better..
I think that MS want these Studios producing the Games they want to make - have their own 'identity' and style. Those Studios should be 'networking' with other Studios to get any help/support they need to make their Passion Project.
MS don't want to be 'dictating' and Forcing Studio's to make games they aren't passionate about or out of their expertise. If they don't want to make a Live Service game, MS won't force them.
The Studio heads should be keeping on top of the Staff to ensure Deadlines are met and/or seek help from other studio's if/when they need. They can even seek feedback from Gamers too with Game Pass Early Access to get players in to 'feedback' as well as get feedback from other studios and MS's play testers. It shouldn't be Phil Spencers job to chase Studio's, to kick Devs backsides etc, it should be the Studio Head.
Most Assassins Creed games can be completed in 25-30hours too - its just all the side missions, mini-games and repeated 'filler' stuff that adds to the playtime for completionists.
Of course they could have shown more - several games were certainly missing from this showcase that we know are in development - let alone any that haven't been revealed yet.
They haven't talked about Old games coming to Game Pass after acquiring ABK either and with a stacked 6-7 months of 2023, I can understand talking more about the big 'new' releases - like BO6, Avowed, Indy, MSFS, Avowed and Stalker 2.
MS said they wanted to create a Great network for Developers to get the support and expertise they need to create the Games they want to create.
You don't want Xbox Management dictating to Studios what Games they should make - then you get Live Service games like Gotham Knights, Suicide Squad, Marvel Avengers or Redfall. Ideally, you want the Studios making the Games they want as they'll have more passion for the Project, and if you have a great Support network, they can make the Games they want knowing that they can get help/support from more experienced Studios.
The Coalition seem to be the go to Studio for everything UE5 so ANY studio making a UE5 game is likely to have some Support from the Coalition.
@PeterPanana Funnily enough, I stopped playing CoD too - partly because of the unfair advantages on PS and partly due to Burnout and the monetisation of CoD - Season Passes and Loot boxes.
From CoD4 all through the 360 days, EVERYONE got the base game with the SAME XP and SAME modes regardless of Platform. Xbox owners had the option to 'buy' extra Maps as DLC a 'month' sooner. Of course by the 3rd or 4th DLC, it became more difficult for match making and you'd barely see the DLC maps in rotation as not everyone bought them.
By Infinite Warfare though, loot boxes with 'RNG' were in the game and more like a F2P game with all the monetisation on top. Black Ops 2 would sell a Camo bundle for 'pocket money' - even animated camos with custom reticles were cheap - now they are more expensive than some games are...
I enjoy the Campaigns (usually) but MP is too sweaty for me now, I love round based Zombies and as I don't have to pay £70 for the 'base' game, I'm certainly going to Play this - may even pre-order the Vault edition for the 'first' season but probably won't buy more.
Since MS acquired ABK, I did buy MW2 and MW3 vault edition on Xbox and really enjoy DMZ - but MW3 overall is not worth the money imo. No doubt they'll make a LOT of money on Xbox despite 'losing' sales as they'll get 100% of the money from sales of Game, Season Passes, Cosmetic Bundles and CoD points. They only get 70% from Sony as Sony take 30% so over a lifetime of a Game, I expect they'll make 'more' as more Play on Xbox so sell more Season Passes that all go to MS now.
They may have struggled to get 5m to buy the game on Xbox because of Sony and deals, so could only sell up to 5m Season passes every season, but get 30m in because of Game Pass, that's a LOT more potential sales of the extras.
For Game Pass owners, £30 to get the Vault Edition upgrade seems a 'bargain' compared to the £100 for non GP subscribers too so may encourage 'more' to buy the Vault edition than normally would on Xbox too - especially knowing that they won't get 'screwed' because of their choice of Hardware...
I still haven't bought Hogwarts because of Sony making some Content exclusive (until recently). I do have a PS5 but if I bought it on PS5, it would feel like I'm supporting that 'deal' rather than having the freedom to 'choose' where I'd prefer to play.
I'd rather have the choice to play on PC, Xbox or PS5 based on where I'd prefer to play rather than be forced to play somewhere or feel like I'm missing something I should have. Maybe the DS5 controller implementation is enough to play on PS5 over Xbox for example. I didn't buy Deathloop or Ghostwire as I knew these would come to Game Pass in a year so I will wait for Content Parity,
I prefer to play CoD on my Elite Controller so PC/Xbox is my preferred Platform. With Sony having 'bonuses', that did put me off a bit - but I can also say the extreme monetisation and F2P type Online model burnt me too...
There's a LOT of games that have been released since 2020 despite all the chatter about a 'lack' of games and/or chatter about the time taken to get these games out.
Hellblade 2, Fable, SoD3, Everwild, Contraband, Perfect Dark and ES6 for example have been known to be in development for years, yet we are still waiting for most and Hellblade 2 only just released - a game they revealed alongside revealing the Series X.
Anyway, it just confirms that I will be keeping my Game Pass Ultimate Subscription going for the foreseeable future as the 'future', inc rest of 2024, is looking strong...
MS could have done something like keep Doom, CoD etc on their Platform or only on Game Pass to force Gamers to buy their Hardware and/or their Subscription or 'miss' out.
They could have made Some content 'unavailable' to Playstation, even if only for a month or some other way of trying to force gamers to play where MS want you to play.
Yes they will 'need' some Exclusives to 'compete' and sell Hardware/Subscriptions, but their 'multi-platform' IP's will not treat the FANS of those IP's differently because of the Platform they are on.
MS and Sony may both be guilty of 'paying' a 3rd Party Publisher for some 'exclusivity' of Content in the past, and maybe still will in the future too. But CoD, like Minecraft, Doom etc is now 'first party'. MS see those fans on Playstation as fans of a Microsoft IP and so won't treat them 'differently' because they choose to play on Playstation.
We all 'believe' that if Sony bought CoD for example, they would have made it 'exclusive' or at the very least, made it timed with 'extra' content on PS.
Nothing stops Sony from releasing ALL their games on Xbox too for example. They don't because they believe exclusives will bring players into Playstation and want 100% of the money, not 70% and give MS 30% for letting them release on Xbox...
@Vipor007 Arguably, it served its purpose and offered gamers a larger capacity. Its still being included in the Line-up - all that's changing is the Colour.
They made and launched the XB1S all Digital in 2019 but a year later ended Production of all the XB1 models.
Point is, its still in the Line-up, therefore proving it was 'worth' offering 2 Series S models with differing storage. Both must have sold as MS could have dropped the 'cheaper' model. Its just getting a 'colour' change/refresh to 'match' its Digital Only status.
It makes it easier when Kids say they want an Xbox and its the 'Black' one they want for Christmas...
So MS closed a few Studio's but also opened a few new Studio's too over the past 6-8 months.
Arkane Austin may have 'closed', but Infinity Ward opened a new studio in Austin to 'work on innovative new CoD experiences and the tech that powers them'. They have other Studio's in Austin too so maybe most staff were offered employment elsewhere.
Talking of Elsewhere, Activision opened a 'new' Studio in Poland called Elsewhere Studios. Of course that won't help the Japanese talent at Tango but maybe Logistically and Financially beneficial. What I mean is that it maybe easier and 'cheaper' to build up that Studio with Talent than in Japan with higher rates adding to the 'cost'.
With King joining MS, the other Studios 'Alpha Dog and Roundhouse' are probably obsolete too - although they did merge one into Zenimax Online.
Other Studios are unlikely to fear closure. All the others are progressing with developing their next game that MS has 'invested' time and money into, games that MS themselves had 'greenlit'. Arkane Austin and Tango had 'released' something and maybe didn't have a 'plan' for what comes next and/or maybe would need a LOT of investment over the next 5yrs+ before they have something to sell. We are still waiting for Compulsion or Undead Labs first release as First Party Studios 6 yrs after being acquired...
Obsidian of all Studio's I think should feel 'safe' having released Grounded & Pentiment with Avowed and Outer Worlds 2 in development. That's 'product' bringing in 'revenue' and continued content coming for MS. Obsidian has a future plan that MS themselves have backed, they are 'near' to finishing Avowed and have Outer Worlds 2 in development too so unlikely to 'close' in the 'near' future...
@themightyant I don't see it that way. If you wanted to buy the game - not 'pre-order' for some 'bonus' that is useless post release (like some beta test or 'early' access), then it's exactly the SAME day release. You can't walk into a shop or buy it digitally to play on that 'early' release date - that's a 'bonus'
Officially, the game doesn't launch until that day and in the record books, it will say the game launched 'Day 1' on Game Pass whether or not it had some 'pre-order' bonuses (inc a few days early access).
If you don't 'pre-order' you often didn't get access to beta tests or early access - that was before Games came to Game Pass. You had to pre-order CoD to get into their Beta tests and/or get 'early access'.
I'll probably go for the Upgrade on this myself...
It's about giving players Choice - you can 'buy' on Playstation, on PC, on Xbox etc but if you buy on Xbox or PC through their store, you'll get both the Console and PC version - maybe better for 'long term' access - so 'better' value. However, on Xbox/PC, you also have the Choice to play via a Subscription saving you money.
Yes BO6 maybe releasing on PS5, but buy on Xbox and you can also play on PC. Have Game Pass Ultimate, can play for 'free' offering even greater 'value' but at the end of the day, its a MS owned IP and the more 'fans' of the IP, the more revenue and publicity for MS. CoD fans, even on Playstation, are fans of a Microsoft IP.
@MrMagic Does it really matter if MS do release 'more' games on Playstation? BO6 was always expected on Playstation, Minecraft games are also Multi-platform and Doom is a Multi-platform IP - in fact Doom (the OG) has probably been played on more platforms than any other IP.
From a Gamer perspective, ALL Xbox games are on Game Pass but Game Pass isn't on Playstation. Despite owning a PS5, I'm not going to play Doom or BO6 on PS5 when I can play on Xbox/PC/Cloud devices anywhere for 'Free'. If MS chose to release MSFS 24, BO6,, Avowed, Indiana Jones etc on PS5 this year, I'd still play on Xbox as its by far the best 'value' way to play Xbox games.
If you'd rather play on Playstation - MS still wins as they get the Money from Sony's Gamers contributing to their Growth which in turn benefits Xbox and Xbox Gamers.
Doom is one game that is probably playable on EVERY hardware - its a Global and multi-platform IP and not just Games but Films as well. It doesn't make sense to upset their 'Doom' Fanbase, a fanbase who enjoys a MS owned IP, just out of spite/pettiness because of the Platform they choose.
I couldn't care less that Playstation gamers also get to play Doom on the same day just like they did with Doom 2016 & Doom Eternal. Whilst I do have a PS5, I'm not likely to play there when I can play for 'free' on Xbox/PC/Cloud with Game Pass.
To me, that is far more important. ALL these games are coming to Xbox and will be playable for 'free' on Game Pass. Some/few games (BO6, Doom, ESO/F76/SoT/D4 expansions etc) may also be playable on PS, but it will cost you more.
If MS released 'everything' Day/Date on PS5, it would still be 'better value' on Xbox. Just the next half a year with BO6, Indiana Jones, Avowed, MSFS24, Stalker 2 etc - to play all those on PS5 would cost you a LOT more than Game Pass Ultimate for the rest of the year costs.
As I said, I will play Doom on Xbox/PC as Game Pass allows me to play basically anywhere, but if I buy on 'Playstation', I'm stuck on Playstation and its cost me a lot more. Xbox gamers get the 'best' value to play Xbox games
They 'could' add an add-on pack that 'finishes' the story - add a few more 'Acts' to it so it doesn't end like that - maybe a dual 'add-on' - a light/dark path for example based on your decision....
That would bring that saga to its conclusion for Fans and then they can properly 'move on' without fans constantly asking about 'Gears 6' to conclude Gears 5 Storyline in a more satisfactory and conclusive way...
Comments 3,145
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
@Foxx_64740 Some people don't have the mental capacity to actually read what I wrote. I clearly stated that these games are 'FREE' on Game Pass - to indicate that there is NO EXTRA CHARGE if you own a Game Pass Subscription.
Game Pass is a 'platform', just like Netflix or Disney+. All the content on that Platform is Free to access to those on that platform but to be on that Platform, there is a Subscription Fee. Game Pass is no different, you pay a 'fee' to be on that Platform, but then you don't have to pay any 'extra' money whether the game is a brand new, day 1 release or an 'old', not even this generation hardware, game. So everything in it is FREE because you 'pay' for Game Pass - no different to the PS+ Essential 'Free' games every month that you get at NO charge/Free because you have a PS+ subscription you 'pay' for to get 'Free' games, online access etc.
Re: Pick One: Which Game From This Year's Xbox Showcase Are You Most Excited For?
I chose Perfect Dark - really because I think it probably surprised me most after hearing stories of troubles. Actually seeing a slice of Game-play and it looking pretty good was perhaps the biggest surprise.
I could have voted for E-Day too as its setting was a big surprise, or one of the games coming this year which I'm more excited for right now but only because they are 'nearly' ready, nearly time for me to play. Fable too is really impressing and Doom looks like fun.
South of Midnight gave me mixed opinions - the animation in Cut Scenes looked terrible, very stuttery/low frame rate, but then the game-play looked much smoother - but overall more interested than I was before the show.
I don't really think there was one 'standout' for me - there were many and I was excited by the Future because of a Strong show. Even the rest of 2024 looks 'strong' let alone considering games coming beyond to be excited for...
Re: Gallery: Here's A First Look At The Thing: Remastered For Xbox One & Series X|S
@stefan771 No - a Remaster can be so much more than just a port to modern hardware. Settings 'turned' up is the same game it was when it released with 'PC' settings on max - just 'ported' to modern console that can now run it at 4k with the settings turned up.
Its not like Skyrim remastered for example it looks like a 'lazy' port. It looks like the OG version running on BC with a res boost turned on rather than a 'remaster' of an old game. Some remasters will use much higher quality models, textures, lighting etc to bring then up to date. This looks dated
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
@Mustoe Not at all - there is a difference between 'Free' on Game Pass for example which is a FACT, despite the fact that 'Game Pass' itself has a 'cost' so not completely FREE in that sense.
If you have a Game Pass Subscription, you do not have to pay a penny to play, therefore they are FREE to play to Subscribers. With Game Pass, which we ALL know has a cost to it, these games are completely 'FREE' to play - no other or hidden costs, just that 'Subscription' fee regardless of what games release into Game Pass. Game Pass has a fee, it is NOT FREE, but the Content it offers within is FREE to Subscribers. For non-subscribers, they have to Pay to Play.
When Call of Duty releases for example, I can play it FREE because of having a Game Pass Subscription. Without it, I'd have to pay £70 to play it and still have to pay for Game Pass Core too to play MP/Zombies. With GPU, I can play it day 1 at NO extra Charge, therefore 'FREE' to me as I have Game Pass Ultimate - that will also let me play on my RoG Ally 'Free', on my 3080ti Laptop 'Free', on my Series X 'Free', on my Samsung TV or Mobile 'Free'. The game is 'Free' to play because I 'pay' for Game Pass - GP isn't 'free', but all the 100's of games it lets me play at NO extra cost are Free to play because I pay for Game Pass
Yes there is a 'charge' for the Subscription, but that does mean I get to play ALL the games within that Subscription for 'FREE' where games not in that Subscription - like Assassins Creed Shadows or Elden Ring for example will require buying to Play,
As for 'ownership', I have decades of Games in boxes that I never play and certainly haven't touched beyond the first 'year' they released. In fact when I moved out in 2013, before the XB1/PS4 gen released, I threw away boxes and boxes of games on tapes, discs etc from my Vic20 days all the way up to PS2/N64. The only games I 'kept' were 360/PS3 games as that was 'current'. However, I haven't touched them since the XB1/PS4 gen released, and since the XSX/PS5 gen, I'm not playing old games I bought/finished when 'new' games are out.
I couldn't care less if I can't play Hellblade 2 in 10yrs time because I didn't 'buy' it, If I'm still gaming, I'll be more interested in what's out then.
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
@Mustoe Just stop - please just stop!!!
If you can't differentiate the difference between paying for a Subscription so you can access EVERYTHING contained within it for FREE (at NO extra cost to Subscribers, therefore 'FREE' to play WITH your Subscription), then that's on you...
I will be playing these Games 'Free' (at NO extra cost) because I have paid for a Game Pass Subscription. 'Yes - Game Pass has a Cost associated with it and whilst I do see your point, the purpose of these Subscriptions is to grant 'FREE' access to ALL the content contained within - no extra cost whether the content is 'old' or 'new', no extra cost to watch/play the exact same games that 'others' would have to pay a LOT more to 'play' Day 1 or buy a Subscription to play that game and hundreds of games 'Free' with that Subscription.
Nothing is ever 'technically' Free but with Game Pass, I can play hundreds of games at no 'extra' cost, essentially FREE with my Subscription - but its the Subscription that 'costs' not the Content it contains
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
@Mustoe No one is saying that there isn't some 'cost' involved - but WITH a paid Game Pass Subscription, then those games are FREE to Play. With a paid Netflix or Disney+ Subscription, all TV/Movies are 'Free' to watch. With a Paid for Magazine, you may get some 'Freebie' on the front at 'no extra' cost.
When I go to the Supermarket and see 25% extra 'free' for example, I consider that 'Free' too despite the fact I'm having to buy the Product. A pack of 8 beers with 25% extra FREE, so 10beers for the 'price' of 8 isn't really 2 'free, as you have to 'buy' 8, spend money - its just that each 'beer' is cheaper rather than 2 beers FREE - but you are still getting them 'FREE' WITH your Purchase - just like these games are FREE WITH your Subscription...
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
@GeeEssEff The fortnite analogy that you quite rightly picked up on is because you stated Fortnite is ''FREE', Starfield isn't - yet without paying for electricity and internet, even hardware to play it on, you can't play it FREE!!
You pay whatever 'cost' the Subscription fee costs to access ALL the content that Subscription enables you to access for 'Free' as in you are not paying money to buy the movie/show, paying money to go to the Cinema or 'miss out' until it comes to Freeview channels etc. Everything contained in that Subscription can be accessed for Free WITH a Subscription.
As I said, you had Games with Gold and PS+ (now PS+) essential with 'Free' games every month too. Even those '360' GwG games you got to keep 'forever', by your argument weren't Free either as you had to be Subscribed to get them 'Free'...
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
@Mustoe The games are 'Free' with Game Pass. yes you have to pay for Game Pass, but everything in that Service is 'Free' - you don't have to pay a penny extra to play whatever Games you want, when you want in that Subscription service. They are 'free' to access WITH a Subscription.
Yes there is a 'cost' for that Subscription, but with that Subscription, you get to play these games Free which without that Subscription would require you to Pay before you play.
I can watch ALL the content in Netflix 'FREE' with my 'Netflix' Subscription. If I stop paying for Game Pass, then I'd have to Pay money to play Starfield, Forza, MLB, CoD, Hellblade etc etc but with my Subscription, I can play all those 'Free'.
Accessing these is 'FREE' WITH a Game Pass Subscription because you do not have to pay any money to play these if you have a Subscription. They are FREE with a Subscription, just like you only get a Game 'Free' if you buy a game in a Buy one, get one 'FREE' sale. That wasn't totally 'Free' but Free With something, just like these are 'Free' with a Subscription...
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
@GeeEssEff They are FREE with Game Pass as in I don't have to PAY anything to Play those games (and hundreds of games) because I have a Game Pass Subscription.
Disney+ lets you watch any of the Content for FREE with your Disney+ Subscription. Yes there is a Subscription fee, but that is letting you watch whatever you want when you want for 'Free' with your Subscription. Its the Subscription that 'costs' and that is a 'given', but everything within that is 'FREE' as you are not paying ANYTHING on top of that.
Buy one get one 'Free' isn't 'free' as you have to buy 'something', therefore money changes hands. Even if technically you haven't given 'money' for the 'free' item, you had to buy 'something' - much like buying a Game Pass Subscription to enable you to play ALL the games in that service, inc any Day 1 releases, FREE as in you do not have to give ANY money to Play CoD Day 1 before you can play because you have a Game Pass Subscription.
Stop paying your internet or Electricity bill and see how much Fortnite you can Play pal!! There are 'costs' everywhere - even in Free to Play games as you need to buy Hardware, need to pay for 'internet' and Electricity to play them.
Without Game Pass, I'd have to 'pay' to play these games - with Game Pass, I do not - they are 'Free' to play WITH a Game Pass Subscription. Whilst game pass may have a Cost, that Subscription allows Subscribers to play EVERYTHING contained within that for 'Free', at NO extra cost.
Free 'gifts' on Magazines were 'Free' even if you had to buy a Magazine to get them so money changed hands.
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
@GeeEssEff Fortnite isn't 'free' either as you need to buy Hardware to play it on, need to pay for the Electricity and/or internet connection....
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
@GeeEssEff As I am NOT paying to play ANY of those games, I can access them ALL FREE because I have a Game Pass Subscription, they are 'FREE' to play.
I'm paying for Game Pass not paying to play CoD, Doom, MSFS, Indiana Jones or any of the other games to 'play' specifically. I have to 'buy' Assassins Creed Shadows to 'Play' so that has a direct cost to it - as will CoD, Doom etc too but I don't have to 'Pay' that or miss out.
The 'free' games on PS+ or Games with Gold were considered 'FREE' too despite you 'paying' a Subscription fee.
Either get used to people referring them to Free as that is the point of the Subscription - to be able to play 100's of Games - inc New releases Day/Date at 'no' extra cost, 'FREE' to ALL Game Pass Subscribers or continue being 'petty'...
Re: Xbox Already Planning For 'Great Showcase' Next Year As Team 'Hits Stride' In 2024
Well no doubt we will be seeing more of the Games expected in the second half of 2024 and in 2025. Clockwork Revolution for example was absent this year and of course 'E-Day' could have Game-play to excite. Perfect Dark, State of Decay 3 may return, maybe Fable and South of Midnight release date reveals too.
That's without considering games like Kojima's Xbox game or Contraband - 3rd Party MS Published games - or the First Party Studio Games we don't know about yet. Call of Duty too will likely be at next years show...
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
@GeeEssEff Game Pass itself isn't 'free' but access to all the Games Day 1 is 'free' - as in there is NO extra charge.
Netflix isn't Free either but all the Content you can access is considered Free, same with Amazon Prime - Free Next Day delivery, Free 'Content' to watch, Free 'games' etc. It's the same with Game Pass Core games that are considered 'Free' to play, (or the Games with Gold games before that), same with PS+ tiers (or the old PS+/PSNow Subs). PS+ has 'free' monthly games for Subscribers...
You can't play EVERYTHING in a Call of Duty game for £70 on Playstation as it requires PS+ Essential to play MP/Zombies but how many factor that in to the cost - they 'don't' because they are paying for PS+ regardless of whether they buy CoD to play other games too.
The point is that those games are 'free' to Play for anyone with a Game Pass Subscription where as everyone else will be required to 'buy' the game, spend £70 to play. Its not just that '1' game either as Game Pass has 100's of games you can play 'free' with that Subscription. The Sub may have a 'cost' but the Games you can play 'don't'...
Re: Xbox Exec Talks Multiplatform Strategy, Team 'Really Pleased' With Sea Of Thieves On PS5
It was clear to me before they announced, let alone released these 4 games, that MS would continue to release 'Some' games on Playstation.
Minecraft (and its Spin-offs) has remained multi-platform since MS bought Mojang. I certainly expected CoD to remain multi-platform too - in fact numerous ABK 'IP's' (Diablo, Overwatch) are likely to remain Multiplatform.
For MS, the ONLY Platform they can realistically target for additional Sales to boost their revenue, Like Sony do with their 'PC' releases, is the Playstation as MS already target PC day/date. If Starfield does eventually release on PS, its similar to Spider-Man eventually releasing on 'PC' - release on Platform you don't 'own' or have your own 'Store' on to extract as much 'revenue' you can for your 'IP' once you've extracted as many Hardware and/or Game sales you can from your own user base.
I couldn't care less if they do release EVERYTHING on PS eventually. Xbox will be where you can play 'Free' on Game Pass, Play it Day 1, not a year or more later. I have a PS5, but I'm not playing BO6 or Doom on PS5 when I can play it 'free' on Xbox, not buying Starfield/Indy Jones if they do release on PS when I can, and probably will have played on Xbox...
If they want to sell 'elsewhere', whatever money they get in is likely to be invested in Xbox Gaming. I'd rather they sell to Playstation to increase their 'revenue' that way than put prices up or stop putting games in Game Pass Day 1...
Re: Talking Point: What's Your Favourite Xbox Expansion Of All Time?
Blood & Wine - the 2nd and final DLC Expansion in the superb Witcher 3 - how to do an expansion right! It had more game-play, Story, fun side quests/missions and a great 'conclusion' to the Completed collection.
Re: Another Rare Classic Is Now Available On Nintendo's Switch Online Service
At the end of the day this could benefit MS too in the long run. New Perfect Dark fans may well want to play the reboot which is only on MS and Zero too of course.
Its like Sony hoping that Lego Horizon will make more Horizon Fans so Switch/PC owners will buy a Playstation to play Horizon games Day 1 in the future.
Re: Two Xbox Properties Cross Over As Fallout Meets Call Of Duty Later This Week
Just think of all the 'other' crossovers we could see - Wolfenstein, Halo, Perfect Dark, Gears of War etc - let alone the IP's that perhaps you wouldn't link with a 'shooter' like Forza, Fable, Elder Scrolls or Psychonauts.
I still think they could do a Kart racer, an arcade brawler or some other party/fun games with their IP's - Crash, Spyro, Psychonauts, Blinx, Conker etc as well as Master Chief, Doom guy, Capt Price, Pipboy etc as playable characters...
Re: Gallery: Here's A First Look At The Thing: Remastered For Xbox One & Series X|S
Looks more of a port - with settings and resolution turned up for 'modern' hardware. Doesn't look as if they've done any 'work' on the game - improving textures, character models, faces environmental detail, lighting etc etc..
Re: Xbox's 2024 Showcase Was Great, But It Was Missing A Big ActiBlizz Announcement
@Pusher2021 They ain't going to pay out for a license they can't sell in their store and recoup that money.
They didn't sell 'many' on Xbox in the first place and as they are moving to a 'digital preservation future, so that you can 'buy' as well as 'play' old games, they aren't going to bother about trying to convince Hasbro who Licenced that version on 360 hardware and you can still play on 360 hardware as long as you 'preserve' the hardware etc
They have added a new bunch of games they can now work on - like Prototype, Crash 4, Call of Duty etc - games Microsoft now owns the IP, the Licence etc to 'bring' back via BC and 'preserve' digitally in their 'store'
They don't own the James Bond, Marvel or Transformers Licences!!!
Re: Todd Howard Talks About Leading Multiple Bethesda Projects At Once
Its probably quite easy for Todd. Its not as if he has to sit down and 'build' these games simultaneously from scratch. He could go to Machinegames, Bethesda or whatever other Studio/Team are working on Projects and give them Direction for the week/month ahead after assessing how that team are progressing since the last time he gave them 'direction' and be on 'call' should any problems arise.
No doubt if a team is 'unsure of whether they should/could do something, they'd run it by Todd, maybe even provide a 'demo/sample' for Todd to check but its not as if Todd himself is sat at a desk 'developing' these games simultaneously. He has developers building the game and he is the one ultimately to decide what those devs 'do', what they'll be creating and how Todd wants it to look, play, feel etc but Todd can check in once a week or so to check progress...
Re: Clockwork Revolution Dev Pokes Fun As It Still 'Figures Out' Xbox Release Date
too early to be excited for this from my perspective.
All I will say though is that the initial reveal trailer was interesting and certainly seems to have potential, but until its much closer to release, I won't know if its realised that potential. Therefore I won't be 'excited' until much closer to release, but I will keep my eye on this...
Re: Bethesda's Todd Howard Says The Team Doesn't 'Need To Rush' Future Fallout Games
Fallout 76 and Fallout 4 are still 'current' in many ways thanks to ongoing support for their MMO and Backwards Compatibility on PS5/Series S/X hardware. In otherwords, they can still sell those games and their DLC content to 'new' Fallout fans eager to find out more about the Fallout IP.
Whilst they don't have to rush out a Fallout 5 just to capitalise on the Fallout show, that doesn't mean they can't or won't push a 'Remaster' of their earlier Fallout games. 3 and New Vegas could be quite Lucrative and Quicker to 'rush' out too as the 'bulk' of the work is done. Its a Port with all the Voice work, Story, setting etc already done - turn the settings up, increase the res, maybe add some extra Procedurally generated 'density' and maybe RTGI and sell it as a Remaster like Skyrim last gen. Maybe will take some 'time' porting etc, but a LOT less time than building Fallout 5 from scratch, writing a story in a 'new' setting, recording all the Voice lines with 'new' characters, NPC's etc.
A 'remaster' of 3/NV or bringing 1 & 2 to console for the first time could be 'rushed' (by rushed, I just mean given a high priority to get out sooner than planned/expected) rather than compromise a 'new' build just to get it out 'sooner'.
@GuyinPA75 LMAO
Re: Review: Still Wakes The Deep (Xbox) - Nautical Narrative Adventure Perfect For Xbox Game Pass
@Mustoe Every game is basically capable of occupying your valuable leisure 'time' - whether it requires you to buy or not. If you'd rather play a Game that requires you to Buy before you Play, like Assassin's Creed Shadows for example, you'll pay that asking fee to 'spend your time' in that World over ALL the other Games you could play, inc those you already own, because its the Game you most want to 'fill' your valuable gaming time.
Game Pass may take away that Financial barrier - its not asking for extra money up front before you find out whether that Game really is where you'd like to spend your time, it gives you the option to try it first. All its asking of you as a Gamer is 'have we done enough to appeal to you to give us some of your time to try our game?'. Especially as you have 'hundreds' of other games in Game Pass asking the same question. They are all competing for your time first, money second...
With paid for games, you never know if they are worth your time until you've bought them. They are asking do you think our game is 'worth' the asking price? However, you'll find out if its worth your time and money only after they have grabbed your money. These are competing for your Money first, time second - hence you get Hype cycle before Broken releases at launch where they have your money despite the game not being 'worth' your time (yet - until they've patched it).
Game Pass may not require Purchases, but if you deem a Game worthy enough of your time, you may end up buying it, buying DLC, extras etc. You'll buy to play if you are enjoying your 'time' in the game to 'keep' it forever.
They are ALL competing for your Time and some games are also competing for your money before you can spend 'time' in that game. If you'd prefer to spend your time in a £70 game over a 'free' Game Pass game, you'll buy it because you'd rather spend your time in that £70 game over spending Time in something you could play at no cost to you.
How would you know if its 'worth' your time - whether you can play free with a Sub or have to 'pay' first for without that Sub (maybe on another Platform too like Doom/BO6 or don't Sub to that Game Pass tier) without a review? Without some 'research'? Is this worth your time 'more' because its on Game Pass or because its reviewed Well?
Re: Xbox Dev The Coalition Comments On Multiplayer Modes In Gears Of War: E-Day
I'm not a fan of PvP MP in Gears - but I loved Horde and then the Beast mode variation of Horde...
Re: Xbox's 2024 Showcase Was Great, But It Was Missing A Big ActiBlizz Announcement
@Pusher2021 MS cannot 'preserve' the games they have no 'control' or 'Licence' to 'preserve'. If they NO LONGER have the Licence for Hasbro/Transformers, they have NO right to preserve those.
If you 'own' those games, you bought them specifically for the Hardware of that time. If you bought for Xbox 360, you can play on 360 as long as you have a working 360 and Copy of that game. It was 'never' released for Xbox Series S/X hardware and as its 'illegal' to profit from anothers IP, it would be foolish to 'sell' it. Its 'preserved' on the Hardware it launched on effectively.
MS can't 'sell' the Activision Transformers games anymore as they no longer have the Hasbro licence - therefore those games are NOT likely to come to BC and they remain 'playable' on the Hardware that they had been licenced for - even if you cannot 'buy' them because they were 'delisted!!'
Its far too complicated to 'preserve' every game ever made today because license holders, devs, Publishers etc have disappeared making it impossible to find ALL the right people to get 'legal' permission to use anothers IP. MS don't own Transformers, just like they don't own Spider-Man or James Bond IP's, so cannot 'preserve' those games. Goldeneye took a LOT of negotiating, compromises etc to bring that game 'back' despite owning Rare who own the Game Code. Nintendo own the Publishing rights and there is the James Bond Licence too - maybe why MS can't 'sell it' separately but can put it on Game Pass and make it part of Rare Replay too...
Re: Hi-Fi RUSH Developer Tango Gameworks Has Now Officially Closed Its Doors
Whilst its sad to see a Studio with a decent back catalogue of Gaming titles closing, we don't really know what 'state' that Studio was in. We know the creator of Evil Within was no longer at Tango and it may well have been 'logistically' difficult to build that Studio up and/or support it fully due to Location.
Activision have announced 2 new Studio's opening since acquisition - Infinity Ward Austin (where MS has a few Studios although ended up closing Arkane Austin) and Elsewhere Studios in Poland. Poland is likely to be Cheaper (rates etc) and logistically maybe easier as Europe has a LOT of Developers to recruit from and not as 'Isolated' from MS's other Studios for 'support' as their Japanese studio was.
I do still feel this as a LOSS and a disappointing outcome though as a Gamer and wish ALL those affected at Tango a successful future.
Re: Xbox's 2024 Showcase Was Great, But It Was Missing A Big ActiBlizz Announcement
@Pusher2021 I don't think you'll see the Transformers games - not unless MS does a deal with Hasbro to have the Licence to remake old and/or new Transformers games. I think these are likely to be the same as Activision's Marvel games (like Spider-Man) or their James Bond games (like Skyfall) for example due to licensing issues.
I don't think you can 'buy' Transformers today (not unless you can find it on Disc somewhere) as they were delisted after Activision no longer had the Hasbro Licence.
I'd love to see the War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron Transformers games to be remastered or even receive some BC upgrades (res/frame rate boosts), but I don't think we will see many of Activisions 'old' Licensed titles on Game Pass...
Re: Xbox's 2024 Showcase Was Great, But It Was Missing A Big ActiBlizz Announcement
@abe_hikura Lets be honest here, if MS hadn't bought ABK, any of these 'OLD' ABK games coming to Game Pass would have felt like a filler to fill in the Gaps between the Big 'new' releases.
Even some brand new releases don't get that much love/attention from gamers if they aren't AAA or 90+ on Metacritic, let alone a game from at least 2yrs ago that didn't exactly win awards and that they don't 'own' to be excited for.
Diablo 4 was released into Game Pass whilst that title was 'relevant' and still receiving Content. If they release CoD 360 games into Game Pass, they are 'dead' unsupported games these days and I expect barely played - same with Prototype for example.
Point is, the 'bulk' of games they could add are basically the 'old' games that won't move the needle in terms of getting people to Subscribe. Yes some Subscribers may be 'happy' to get to play those Spyro, Crash remakes etc but its not going to bring people in like Black Ops 6 day/date might - those big Day 1 games.
So whilst I do think that these may well come in the 'rest' of 2024, I don't think its a 'major' announcement type situation that will suddenly change 'momentum' for MS/Game Pass, because the vast majority are 'dead' games in that their life cycle is over - old release no longer selling, being supported etc. If they weren't 'ABK' now owned by MS games, a 'dead' game coming to Game Pass would seem like a 'Filler'.
I doubt they can give away the latest CoD's, even most of the XB1 era CoDs, as Sony will likely have some 'deal' in place keeping them from Game Pass or at the very least, not able to be 'promoted' by MS/Xbox until BO6 is out, they'll want their 'year' of promotions and bonuses etc with MW3. So maybe they have to 'wait' for CoD on Game Pass - especially with the newer releases.
Apart from Crash, Spyro and TH remakes (I count Crash 4 in that - whilst not technically a remake, its a follow-up to a remake of a 20+ yr old game) ABK haven't exactly released a lot during the XB1/XSX era - most are OG or 360 games that 'could' come to Game Pass now and I wouldn't think that many are 'excited' about playing 'old' games so I do think they'll feel 'filler' even if MS doesn't use them as Filler....
Re: Rumour: Xbox Could Be Targeting A 2025 Release For Gears Of War: E-Day
@Fiendish-Beaver All I meant was that things we know from playing the Trilogy, the 'other' characters (inc Maria for example) could have more impact in E-Day for Players familiar with the later games.
The only way to Play Gears 2/3 on a PC is via Game Pass Cloud as they never had a PC release - unlike Gears 1. Therefore, I think they will release these, if not as a 'Remaster' pack inc Gears 1 in 'UE5', A definitive 'pack' on EVERY current MS hardware. 2 and 3 were 360 only and whilst they are playable via BC, I do think they'll bring these 'forward' so that its playable on PC too natively and 'preserved'
Whether they do it as just the Campaigns with all the online MP/Horde/Beast modes removed so people play the latest versions - or they do something more Halo CE, I don't know - but I do think they'll release at least remakes of 2 and 3. The Ultimate version of Gears 1 maybe wouldn't need Remastering or a lot of work compared to 2/3 if they do, but I do think they'll release 2/3 on PC at some point in the near future.
The structure and 'most' of the work is done - and it would be a good way to get to grips with UE5 instead of also trying to 'build' a game as well as learn an engine. Maybe a small team project for a group of the Coalition Devs or another Studio - but I do think they'll want to bring at least 2 and 3 more 'up to date' and released on PC...
Re: Rumour: Xbox Could Be Targeting A 2025 Release For Gears Of War: E-Day
@BrilliantBill However, with their 'new' (although now over a Decade old) policy of bringing their games day/date to PC and the fact that some games were never released on PC, they would address that with a Remake of at least 2 and 3.
Gears 1 had a PC port and an Ultimate Edition released on XB1 but Gears 2 and 3 were never released to PC so I do think that it would make sense to bring a remastered trilogy out first so that PC Players can play through the whole trilogy before E-Day releases.
I think the 'prequel' would have more impact for those Gears fans that have played the Trilogy, met the Characters etc. Retro Lancers maybe aren't 'retro' in this setting but again, maybe things from Gears 2/3 would help immerse and have more impact if everyone had played the Trilogy. We could get to meet Maria for example...
Re: Rumour: Xbox Could Be Targeting A 2025 Release For Gears Of War: E-Day
As excited as I am for E-Day, I don't have a clue when to expect it. We haven't really seen anything from the Coalition themselves since Hivebusters back in 2020, but we know they have also been assisting many others with their 'UE5' expertise - everything from the Matrix Awakens to helping internal studios.
There has been numerous rumours of a Marcus Fenix 'trilogy' remaster too, the First 3 games, 2 of which didn't release on PC, which could release before we get this 'prequel'. I think it would make sense to release the trilogy first so people get the full impact of the Prequel.
This could be further along than people think, just because they could have been working on it longer than expected. After all, we kept hearing that they were helping Studio's, possibly working on a Remaster or working on Gears 6 so when its 'revealed' to be GoW:E-Day, completely different to what people expected, and a CGi trailer too, it seems 'years' away.
With the next 6 months looking 'packed' with games, and 2025 looking to carry on delivering, I am not getting 'excited' by this yet. It's certainly one of the Games that will keep me Subscribed to Game Pass for the foreseeable future knowing that the games are coming....
Re: Talking Point: Are You Interested In Any Of The New Xbox Series X|S Models?
I'm happy with my Day 1 Series X and see no point in buying the new models when my current model is just as Good as the new models. The only difference is 'colour' and a 1TB extra Storage - but I have Extra Storage in my Series X anyway
Re: Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 Trailer Becomes Most-Watched Ever As Xbox Game Pass Fuels Interest
I have pre-ordered the Vault Edition upgrade through Xbox Game Pass so I should get both the PC and Xbox version so can play on my Xbox, Laptop and/or RoG Ally. So glad I won't have to buy twice...
Looking forward to the return of Round Based Zombies too...
Re: Xbox Dev Obsidian Announces 'Road To Avowed' Livestream Series On Approach To Launch
I'd argue that if this due in November, then Black Ops 6 coming in October is Closest to Launch - although MSFS24 could beat it to release too.
Avowed certainly looks interesting but I have never played a Pillars game. I don't know if it will be something I want to jump in Day 1 or not due to time commitments but I'm looking forward to seeing more.
Re: Talking Point: How Are You Feeling About Fable After The Xbox Games Showcase?
Looked Amazing and really captured the British Humour I expect from a Fable game - looking forward to playing this!#
I didn't overlook it - but I also don't get excited with a plethora of games coming in the rest of 2024 without considering games without a release date coming sometime next year...
Re: State Of Decay 3 Development Is Being Supported By Two Other Xbox Teams
@GamingFan4Lyf Oh I know full well about the Coalition and their Unreal experience. I was merely making a comment about the Coalition being the 'go to' Studio within the 'MS' group (Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda & ABK.
The point I was trying to make though is that MS has all these Studios - inc the Coalition - for ALL their Studios to get any help/support they need. If making an UE5 game, I'd expect the Coalition to provide some assistance as the UE5 experts. The fact they can reach out to other Studios for help - maybe reach out to Ninja Theory for Mo-Cap assistance.
The 'more' Studios they have, the more 'experience' they have as well as a 'bigger' network to help/support each other etc. If a Studio wants to make a Shooter for example, they have ABK CoD devs and id Software to help. I heard that id software help Bethesda with their combat in Starfield to 'improve' it beyond what Bethesda themselves could and have done with Fallout - Starfield combat does feel better..
I think that MS want these Studios producing the Games they want to make - have their own 'identity' and style. Those Studios should be 'networking' with other Studios to get any help/support they need to make their Passion Project.
MS don't want to be 'dictating' and Forcing Studio's to make games they aren't passionate about or out of their expertise. If they don't want to make a Live Service game, MS won't force them.
The Studio heads should be keeping on top of the Staff to ensure Deadlines are met and/or seek help from other studio's if/when they need. They can even seek feedback from Gamers too with Game Pass Early Access to get players in to 'feedback' as well as get feedback from other studios and MS's play testers. It shouldn't be Phil Spencers job to chase Studio's, to kick Devs backsides etc, it should be the Studio Head.
Re: Star Wars Outlaws Game Length Revealed Ahead Of August Xbox Launch
Most Assassins Creed games can be completed in 25-30hours too - its just all the side missions, mini-games and repeated 'filler' stuff that adds to the playtime for completionists.
It looks OK to me so far
Re: Xbox Apparently Could Have Shown Much More At This Year's Showcase
Of course they could have shown more - several games were certainly missing from this showcase that we know are in development - let alone any that haven't been revealed yet.
They haven't talked about Old games coming to Game Pass after acquiring ABK either and with a stacked 6-7 months of 2023, I can understand talking more about the big 'new' releases - like BO6, Avowed, Indy, MSFS, Avowed and Stalker 2.
Re: State Of Decay 3 Development Is Being Supported By Two Other Xbox Teams
MS said they wanted to create a Great network for Developers to get the support and expertise they need to create the Games they want to create.
You don't want Xbox Management dictating to Studios what Games they should make - then you get Live Service games like Gotham Knights, Suicide Squad, Marvel Avengers or Redfall. Ideally, you want the Studios making the Games they want as they'll have more passion for the Project, and if you have a great Support network, they can make the Games they want knowing that they can get help/support from more experienced Studios.
The Coalition seem to be the go to Studio for everything UE5 so ANY studio making a UE5 game is likely to have some Support from the Coalition.
Re: Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 Beta Will Be Open To All Who Subscribe To Xbox Game Pass
@PeterPanana Funnily enough, I stopped playing CoD too - partly because of the unfair advantages on PS and partly due to Burnout and the monetisation of CoD - Season Passes and Loot boxes.
From CoD4 all through the 360 days, EVERYONE got the base game with the SAME XP and SAME modes regardless of Platform. Xbox owners had the option to 'buy' extra Maps as DLC a 'month' sooner. Of course by the 3rd or 4th DLC, it became more difficult for match making and you'd barely see the DLC maps in rotation as not everyone bought them.
By Infinite Warfare though, loot boxes with 'RNG' were in the game and more like a F2P game with all the monetisation on top. Black Ops 2 would sell a Camo bundle for 'pocket money' - even animated camos with custom reticles were cheap - now they are more expensive than some games are...
I enjoy the Campaigns (usually) but MP is too sweaty for me now, I love round based Zombies and as I don't have to pay £70 for the 'base' game, I'm certainly going to Play this - may even pre-order the Vault edition for the 'first' season but probably won't buy more.
Since MS acquired ABK, I did buy MW2 and MW3 vault edition on Xbox and really enjoy DMZ - but MW3 overall is not worth the money imo. No doubt they'll make a LOT of money on Xbox despite 'losing' sales as they'll get 100% of the money from sales of Game, Season Passes, Cosmetic Bundles and CoD points. They only get 70% from Sony as Sony take 30% so over a lifetime of a Game, I expect they'll make 'more' as more Play on Xbox so sell more Season Passes that all go to MS now.
They may have struggled to get 5m to buy the game on Xbox because of Sony and deals, so could only sell up to 5m Season passes every season, but get 30m in because of Game Pass, that's a LOT more potential sales of the extras.
For Game Pass owners, £30 to get the Vault Edition upgrade seems a 'bargain' compared to the £100 for non GP subscribers too so may encourage 'more' to buy the Vault edition than normally would on Xbox too - especially knowing that they won't get 'screwed' because of their choice of Hardware...
I still haven't bought Hogwarts because of Sony making some Content exclusive (until recently). I do have a PS5 but if I bought it on PS5, it would feel like I'm supporting that 'deal' rather than having the freedom to 'choose' where I'd prefer to play.
I'd rather have the choice to play on PC, Xbox or PS5 based on where I'd prefer to play rather than be forced to play somewhere or feel like I'm missing something I should have. Maybe the DS5 controller implementation is enough to play on PS5 over Xbox for example. I didn't buy Deathloop or Ghostwire as I knew these would come to Game Pass in a year so I will wait for Content Parity,
I prefer to play CoD on my Elite Controller so PC/Xbox is my preferred Platform. With Sony having 'bonuses', that did put me off a bit - but I can also say the extreme monetisation and F2P type Online model burnt me too...
Re: Here's A Look At The Updated Xbox Studios Roadmap For 2024 & Beyond
There's a LOT of games that have been released since 2020 despite all the chatter about a 'lack' of games and/or chatter about the time taken to get these games out.
Hellblade 2, Fable, SoD3, Everwild, Contraband, Perfect Dark and ES6 for example have been known to be in development for years, yet we are still waiting for most and Hellblade 2 only just released - a game they revealed alongside revealing the Series X.
Anyway, it just confirms that I will be keeping my Game Pass Ultimate Subscription going for the foreseeable future as the 'future', inc rest of 2024, is looking strong...
Re: Xbox's 'Slimy Platform Things' Comment Draws Attention Of Former PlayStation Boss
MS could have done something like keep Doom, CoD etc on their Platform or only on Game Pass to force Gamers to buy their Hardware and/or their Subscription or 'miss' out.
They could have made Some content 'unavailable' to Playstation, even if only for a month or some other way of trying to force gamers to play where MS want you to play.
Yes they will 'need' some Exclusives to 'compete' and sell Hardware/Subscriptions, but their 'multi-platform' IP's will not treat the FANS of those IP's differently because of the Platform they are on.
MS and Sony may both be guilty of 'paying' a 3rd Party Publisher for some 'exclusivity' of Content in the past, and maybe still will in the future too. But CoD, like Minecraft, Doom etc is now 'first party'. MS see those fans on Playstation as fans of a Microsoft IP and so won't treat them 'differently' because they choose to play on Playstation.
We all 'believe' that if Sony bought CoD for example, they would have made it 'exclusive' or at the very least, made it timed with 'extra' content on PS.
Nothing stops Sony from releasing ALL their games on Xbox too for example. They don't because they believe exclusives will bring players into Playstation and want 100% of the money, not 70% and give MS 30% for letting them release on Xbox...
Re: Xbox Series S Carbon Black Model Seems To Be Getting Discontinued
@Vipor007 Arguably, it served its purpose and offered gamers a larger capacity. Its still being included in the Line-up - all that's changing is the Colour.
They made and launched the XB1S all Digital in 2019 but a year later ended Production of all the XB1 models.
Point is, its still in the Line-up, therefore proving it was 'worth' offering 2 Series S models with differing storage. Both must have sold as MS could have dropped the 'cheaper' model. Its just getting a 'colour' change/refresh to 'match' its Digital Only status.
It makes it easier when Kids say they want an Xbox and its the 'Black' one they want for Christmas...
Re: Avowed Director On Obsidian's Future And Xbox Closures: 'I Really Trust In Our Leadership'
So MS closed a few Studio's but also opened a few new Studio's too over the past 6-8 months.
Arkane Austin may have 'closed', but Infinity Ward opened a new studio in Austin to 'work on innovative new CoD experiences and the tech that powers them'. They have other Studio's in Austin too so maybe most staff were offered employment elsewhere.
Talking of Elsewhere, Activision opened a 'new' Studio in Poland called Elsewhere Studios. Of course that won't help the Japanese talent at Tango but maybe Logistically and Financially beneficial. What I mean is that it maybe easier and 'cheaper' to build up that Studio with Talent than in Japan with higher rates adding to the 'cost'.
With King joining MS, the other Studios 'Alpha Dog and Roundhouse' are probably obsolete too - although they did merge one into Zenimax Online.
Other Studios are unlikely to fear closure. All the others are progressing with developing their next game that MS has 'invested' time and money into, games that MS themselves had 'greenlit'. Arkane Austin and Tango had 'released' something and maybe didn't have a 'plan' for what comes next and/or maybe would need a LOT of investment over the next 5yrs+ before they have something to sell. We are still waiting for Compulsion or Undead Labs first release as First Party Studios 6 yrs after being acquired...
Obsidian of all Studio's I think should feel 'safe' having released Grounded & Pentiment with Avowed and Outer Worlds 2 in development. That's 'product' bringing in 'revenue' and continued content coming for MS. Obsidian has a future plan that MS themselves have backed, they are 'near' to finishing Avowed and have Outer Worlds 2 in development too so unlikely to 'close' in the 'near' future...
Re: Xbox Game Pass Upgrade Detailed For Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6
@themightyant I don't see it that way. If you wanted to buy the game - not 'pre-order' for some 'bonus' that is useless post release (like some beta test or 'early' access), then it's exactly the SAME day release. You can't walk into a shop or buy it digitally to play on that 'early' release date - that's a 'bonus'
Officially, the game doesn't launch until that day and in the record books, it will say the game launched 'Day 1' on Game Pass whether or not it had some 'pre-order' bonuses (inc a few days early access).
If you don't 'pre-order' you often didn't get access to beta tests or early access - that was before Games came to Game Pass. You had to pre-order CoD to get into their Beta tests and/or get 'early access'.
I'll probably go for the Upgrade on this myself...
Re: Xbox: 'You Are Going To See More Of Our Games On More Platforms'
Phil during the IGN interview...
It's about giving players Choice - you can 'buy' on Playstation, on PC, on Xbox etc but if you buy on Xbox or PC through their store, you'll get both the Console and PC version - maybe better for 'long term' access - so 'better' value. However, on Xbox/PC, you also have the Choice to play via a Subscription saving you money.
Yes BO6 maybe releasing on PS5, but buy on Xbox and you can also play on PC. Have Game Pass Ultimate, can play for 'free' offering even greater 'value' but at the end of the day, its a MS owned IP and the more 'fans' of the IP, the more revenue and publicity for MS. CoD fans, even on Playstation, are fans of a Microsoft IP.
Re: Xbox's Console User Count At Record High, Says Microsoft Gaming CEO
@MrMagic Does it really matter if MS do release 'more' games on Playstation? BO6 was always expected on Playstation, Minecraft games are also Multi-platform and Doom is a Multi-platform IP - in fact Doom (the OG) has probably been played on more platforms than any other IP.
From a Gamer perspective, ALL Xbox games are on Game Pass but Game Pass isn't on Playstation. Despite owning a PS5, I'm not going to play Doom or BO6 on PS5 when I can play on Xbox/PC/Cloud devices anywhere for 'Free'. If MS chose to release MSFS 24, BO6,, Avowed, Indiana Jones etc on PS5 this year, I'd still play on Xbox as its by far the best 'value' way to play Xbox games.
If you'd rather play on Playstation - MS still wins as they get the Money from Sony's Gamers contributing to their Growth which in turn benefits Xbox and Xbox Gamers.
Re: Phil Spencer Explains Why DOOM: The Dark Ages Is Releasing On PS5
Doom is one game that is probably playable on EVERY hardware - its a Global and multi-platform IP and not just Games but Films as well. It doesn't make sense to upset their 'Doom' Fanbase, a fanbase who enjoys a MS owned IP, just out of spite/pettiness because of the Platform they choose.
I couldn't care less that Playstation gamers also get to play Doom on the same day just like they did with Doom 2016 & Doom Eternal. Whilst I do have a PS5, I'm not likely to play there when I can play for 'free' on Xbox/PC/Cloud with Game Pass.
To me, that is far more important. ALL these games are coming to Xbox and will be playable for 'free' on Game Pass. Some/few games (BO6, Doom, ESO/F76/SoT/D4 expansions etc) may also be playable on PS, but it will cost you more.
If MS released 'everything' Day/Date on PS5, it would still be 'better value' on Xbox. Just the next half a year with BO6, Indiana Jones, Avowed, MSFS24, Stalker 2 etc - to play all those on PS5 would cost you a LOT more than Game Pass Ultimate for the rest of the year costs.
As I said, I will play Doom on Xbox/PC as Game Pass allows me to play basically anywhere, but if I buy on 'Playstation', I'm stuck on Playstation and its cost me a lot more. Xbox gamers get the 'best' value to play Xbox games
Re: Sniper Elite Studio Returns With 'Atomfall' On Xbox Game Pass In 2025
This had me quietly excited on its setting and vibe alone...
Re: Gears Of War: E-Day Dev Is 'Not Retreating' From The Modern Gears Saga
They 'could' add an add-on pack that 'finishes' the story - add a few more 'Acts' to it so it doesn't end like that - maybe a dual 'add-on' - a light/dark path for example based on your decision....
That would bring that saga to its conclusion for Fans and then they can properly 'move on' without fans constantly asking about 'Gears 6' to conclude Gears 5 Storyline in a more satisfactory and conclusive way...