Banjo-

@Fishmasterflex96 I don't think that they all will be "AAA", but we will see. The studio you refer to was a very good studio, but unfortunately the founder and the producers had left (or said "**** you" to) the studio before that.

@Fishmasterflex96 Indeed, even if it means the occasional failure. They are willing to invest in small and big games and cater to a wide audience. Plus, they are the biggest publisher now after Tencent and every Microsoft game on Game Pass doesn't take from the $1B yearly budget for third-party deals. It makes sense for Microsoft to use new and old IPs and take risks.

After not earning enough with PS5, Sony decided to become a multiplatform publisher and prioritise games as service, at least more than they had before, but it's not as easy as they think to make a Fortnite hit. Even Helldivers 2 has most of its user base on Windows and, for every Helldivers 2, there is a Concord (also launching on Windows). Microsoft catering to all kinds of players is the best strategy in the long term, not just for scoring best sellers, but to keep the user base satisfied. It's not like this article says, at all. Besides, massive hits are unpredictable. Some are online games, but some aren't. Budget is not the most important thing, either. IP's previous popularity is influential, but not necessary.

The monetary exchange for featuring streaming services is minimal, otherwise they wouldn't be available on every TV. Actually, Apple TV is precisely the only app not available on cheap smart TVs that have Netflix, Prime, Max and Disney. You can guess why.

@Trmn8r Apples to oranges 🤣. Imagine Netflix paying Google 30% of their subscriptions... It wouldn't be profitable at all.

@dskatter Same as Sony and Nintendo, 30%, but that is for software sale, not a streaming fee. Steam's fees are variable. If you read the article and the quote above, you'll maybe understand why Game Pass on Apple is impossible. If Google did the same, it wouldn't exist on Android devices either. That's the comparison you have to make.

@GeeEssEff @dskatter It's in the article you are commenting on, "Guideline 3.1.3(b) prevents different content, subscriptions or features (including consumables in multi platform games)"

Basically, Apple is way too greedy, but Apple fans are used to their exclusivity policies. Besides, it doesn't make much sense comparing a video game console like Xbox, PS or Switch with Android and iOS devices. EU doesn't like Apple's policies, for instance, but Nintendo and Sony's reluctance to feature Game Pass is somewhat understandable. Of course, Sony and Nintendo fans will use any excuse to bash Microsoft, though.

@FraserG Too bad you didn't find some green (Marvel) hero greeting Ryu artwork. 😁

To those always saying it's all because games don't sell on Xbox, I'm very happy to see that Microsoft care about those technical issues and we (genuine) players can get those games on Xbox.

@Markatron84 There is a nice review here:

https://www.gamesradar.com/gamesir-g7-se-review/

I also love the Elite controllers, but both Series 1 and 2 lasted much less than I expected, with normal use tearing them apart: grips, thumbstick rubber, bumpers, paddle buttons... I would get a Series 3 if they make them more durable. They are wonderfully designed, though. The paddle buttons should be included in all Xbox controllers, even if the paddles would be sold separately, like the Elite Series 2 Core. I hope that the next-gen Xbox controller has paddles, motion controls (for those that care) and hall effect sticks. One understated thing about Xbox is the lower latency. It's the best platform for gaming (outside PC).

@IOI Oh, you are one to talk. You have something negative to say about Xbox on an Xbox site every day of your life and still dare to preach. Good job.

The only problem with it is that it has one of the worst camera in game history and since Warren Spector said it was good, it probably has not been fixed.

@cragis0001 Sony is already changing their exclusivity plans, so yeah. The new CEO is the opposite of the old. Even Nintendo will do it, depending on the success of their future hardware.

@OldGamer999 Money is in software and subscriptions and both are very healthy. It's not in hardware and Microsoft, unlike Sony or Nintendo, has consoles that run Windows and makes desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. The ecosystem is already there, Sony doesn't have that. Microsoft covers the whole PC and console spectrum with the same OS, without upgrade and port fees, plus Cloud. They are the biggest publisher in the world after Tencent. They are in their best position ever. All that Sony has is the critics' favour regarding their cinematic games, but even those are not topping the charts and not selling enough copies on PS5. That means that most PS owners are casual players and not die-hard Sony fans. Unlike Nintendo for now, PS has become just another gaming platform, isolated but not as profitable as expected, so the very Sony is in a more difficult decision and that's why the are copying Microsoft. Firstly, the online and games as service and now the Windows ports. Remember, the best-selling games are not Sony's or Microsoft's exclusives, but Fortnite, FIFA, Madden, GTA, Minecraft and Call of Duty, the last two owned by Microsoft. The future of Microsoft and Sony is basically the same, but Microsoft is already there. The future of Nintendo depends on the success of their next hardware.

@Ilyn Yeah, speculation, we are not going to go anywhere following rumours. I assume that you have a PS5 and don't have a Series S|X, so you wouldn't be interest and nothing I'd say would make you think differently. As a Series X owner, I don't see how possibly PS5 could replace it.

@__jamiie Handheld PCs are more significant than they seem. They are a bridge between consoles and PCs. People still love user-friendly gaming devices (consoles), but if Microsoft, as a consolidated hardware manufacturer, releases their own handheld PC/console and they allow access to other stores, it would benefit them in the long term. They were the first to port (Xbox One) games to PC, so they might be the first to allow that. It seems risky, but no so much since Xbox (and PS) games are available on Windows, anyway. Plus, restrictive consoles' time may be running out and being first in the queue would be a huge benefit.

Compared to the massive success it is on Xbox and PC, this number isn't that big. It looks like extra revenue, but Xbox exclusives on PS doesn't seem to be what some people anticipated. It doesn't seem to change the gaming landscape much.

@Ilyn You don't know how many Series X and S have been sold. People that have Xbox and PS would still play on PS, but if they are not interested in PS5, the real nonsense would be buying another PS for the price it would cost without competition, when even now PS games are more expensive and the price of PS services and consoles has been increased, and lose access to the digital library, while being constricted by an even more restrictive Sony.

A handheld PC doesn't cost as much as you posted, games would be much cheaper than on PS and Microsoft would make their library, on top of Game Pass, available on Windows, without paying upgrade fees. However, Microsoft will make consoles as long as there are consoles, there is absolutely no reason to not doing so, when they earn billions yearly thanks to the store and Game Pass, even with fierce competition. Anyway, the next Xbox has been confirmed to be the biggest technological leap ever, so no point in discussing this.

@Bobobiwan You may be right because it's called Special Edition. I think of that model as a legendary system to keep because of its backwards support, like the Wii U. Plus, Xbox is the only console that supports CDs on top of DVDs and BDs. PS4 and PS5 don't. If the next generation doesn't support physical media, I'd like to get the Special Edition. I say this as someone that only buys digital games these days, but have lots of CDs, DVDs and BDs.

@Dm9982 Right. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if some Xbox games are elsewhere, it has happened since Xbox One. It's not "fanboys" supporting the system like others here said, but Xbox being great on its own. Great platform, service, hardware, game library, value, controller and compatibility, free remasters, free Play Anywhere, free cloud saves...

Since Square Enix's games and even Sony's games don't sell enough copies on PS5, how can anyone be more confident about Sony's future than Xbox's? Microsoft, as a hardware manufacturer and the biggest publisher, has the brighter future ahead and, of course, that includes consoles because, why would they stop making them? It doesn't make any sense commercially. They are a Windows device. The store and Game Pass are successful and profitable. As long as there are consoles, there will be Xbox consoles.

Nintendo's decisions will depend on the success of their future hardware. If it's as profitable as Switch, they don't need to change anything. Heck, they sell overpriced ports to the same users and they seem happy to buy them again. They sell a subscription for playing Virtual Console titles we all have bought. If their future isn't as dollar-green, we'll see. Mario has been on Android before. Anything is possible. Essentially, you are right, because Nintendo is not just a publisher, it's some kind of toy manufacturer, a theme park maker, a family-friendly seller, a Disney of gaming, but the console exclusivity will depend on how well received their future hardware is. Switch is a very special case, because is fed on sub-HD games, many of them ports sold full price like the most ambitious games of the generation. They have sold millions of humble tablets and small cartridges with very low budgets. Can that happen again and again, though? Nintendo will be fine, but it's impossible that they have another generation as lucky.

@umeandgames Exactly! If I had issues with Xbox, I'd just get a handheld PC or gaming PC, but I don't have any (important) issues with Xbox. I don't mind Xbox games being elsewhere if it benefits Xbox Game Studios. 99% of all that is faked outrage coming from PS/Nintendo fans.

@TheSimulator I don't think that Xbox users are willing to jump ship just because some Xbox games are available on PS... The alternative to an Xbox is a handheld PC or gaming PC. That's also true for Playstation, now that they port their games to Windows.

Console exclusives are dead. Dead for Microsoft since Xbox One (Play Anywhere), dead for Square Enix, the former paradigm of auctioning video games and dead for Sony that is willing to release everything for Windows and who knows what else. The only company still doing console exclusives is Nintendo.

If I bought a second Series X, it would be the Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition, but I'm still waiting for those new controllers, the leaked Sebile controller and the unannounced Elite Series 3.

I said it (before VII Xbox port), all Final Fantasy would end up on Xbox eventually, especially after a Windows version. They changed their mind after lacklustre sales as PS5 exclusives. By the way, the Xbox One X version of Final Fantasy XV does run very well, even better on Series X.

@dskatter @Elbow If you like the genre, don't hesitate to get the Project Zero/Fatal Frame remasters 😊.

@Utena-mobile I will.

@Utena-mobile Excellent!

@dskatter Apparently, the PS3 version was updated, but the Xbox 360 version was not, although a few users claim that some of the problems were solved, but I don't know which ones, exactly. Perhaps someone else knows more about this, because the only one I've played is Shattered Memories.

I think that Konami should simply remaster the original titles, instead of outsourcing a remake of a single title, 2, to a questionable developer like Bloober.

Do what Koei Tecmo with Project Zero/Fatal Frame.

I'm always about to buy the Silent Hill HD Collection, but then remember all the complaints about it that I have read.

@Rob3008 Right. I guess they just want the remaining workforce for other projects and port Hi-Fi Rush to mobile stores, probably free to play and full of micro transactions.

It's infinitely more responsive and quicker than both PS and Nintendo stores and I LOVE that. To nitpick, sometimes the trailers play even if you have turned that setting off previously. My favourite addition is that when you select a game, you can see the other purchase options and the price of each, very important for games that have five different editions. You can also check what's included and what add-ons are available easily.

To check the deals, I either check my wish list or browse the Special Deals pressing the X button, that shows them all. There are also Deals with Game Pass (15 or so) and Deals for You, that are useless, in my experience. Wish List is the way to go for weekly checks.

@oliverp Yes, as others have said Shinji Mikami (founder) and producers had left the company. Before Mikami left, he didn't want to be involved in the new projects, including his own IP's sequel The Evil Within 2. When Microsoft announced its closure, all that Shinji said was, "Sad."

My conclusion is that Shinji and the others had disagreements and that more key people left after him because they didn't reach agreements either. No wonder Microsoft saw the future of the studio uncertain. I also believe that the physical distance made more difficult to sort things out and move people to other studios like they did with the western studios.

Doesn't Microsoft own the IPs?

@Balaam_ Right. I triggered a lot of achievements the first day I played. Some people are not appreciating this bundle enough, it has everything that has been officially released plus improved engine, new content, an optional remixed soundtrack, 120fps... The last time these games were released, it was a technical mess. This is the first time I am really having a good time with the classic games.

@FarmDog08 I understand that perfectly, but I'm willing to make a few exceptions when the time is right.

@FarmDog08 You can get the XIII trilogy on Xbox digitally (backwards compatible) and, more importantly, they run in 4K on Xbox One X and Series X, plus XIII-2 and Lighting Returns at 60fps on Series S|X. Just check when they are cheap on one of the many sales. I got the three of them for very little money. The last Final Fantasy title I played was XIII-2, so Lighting Returns will be next! I also want to play XIV, but when I have a lot of free time.

They treat Game Pass as a way to release "demos" and get paid for it. It's rational (they mean profitable), because GTA is one of the best-selling games worldwide. For instance, they included one of the titles of the remastered trilogy in Game Pass for a short amount of time. Their case is exceptional and can't be compared to the rest.

@FarmDog08 Same here. I played I on GBA and IV on DS. I am playing the available entries on Series X in the meantime, but I want to play the six first titles on Xbox.

Hopefully, they arrive soon, now with their new strategy and CEO.

The engine is KEX Engine by Nightdive Studios, that also runs Doom 64 (2020).

@Glassneedles I played the first game on New Nintendo 3DS, unofficial version, of course. I haven't played much the previous Xbox version of Doom and Doom II that run on Unity, but they say that they are not consistent. I started playing the new Xbox release today and it's flawless. I beat the first episode.

@niggyt2004 Me too! That's nice of Microsoft. Nintendo and Sony would have ripped us off.

I fully completed and loved the remakes. Fortunately, I didn't abhor the more difficult and slippery collision hit boxes because I haven't played the originals much. The frame rate didn't bother me, but it does in Spyro Reignited Trilogy. That really needs 60fps.

@AverageGamer You are right, but most people here have the console (or high-end gaming PC) mindset. It's absolutely not meant as an insult, because I'm a console player since I could hold a controller. It's the same with the hardware sales articles, many still believe that more consoles sold mean higher revenue and they're stuck on the 90s wars.

Definitely, Microsoft should include native ports of their console games on the mobile store, because that would be the main appeal. Cloud games are on Game Pass apps and existing ABK games are everywhere. If they include those games, then people will start downloading Candy Crush. It's like Samsung's store, you launch it for one thing and then you don't mind using it for a curated Android store selection. If they only include games available on the other stores, few people will care and third parties will ignore it, unless they do like Epic on PC and work on other perks, but it's complicated in the saturated mobile market and if there's one thing that Microsoft have is content.

@AverageGamer A great idea would be to release native versions of games like Halo and release those there. That would make the investment worthwhile and make their place some kind of exclusive premium store where they don't pay commissions to Google and Apple. In a sense, like what Apple does with the exclusive content although in their case isn't theirs and rely on Apple's fans to sustain their business.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

An interesting and somewhat recycled campaign, 8 hours and a half long, so not as short as some people say, with charismatic characters, great storytelling and trademark excellent gameplay, so not as bad as those people say! The campaign consists of 14 missions and ends abruptly on a cliffhanger. Rushed development is the reason. Multiplayer modes excel.

It would be stupid to drop consoles. There is absolutely zero reason to do so and they won't do it. Console sales are decreasing, both Xbox and PS, but the console market, while limited, is very profitable, even more for Microsoft that doesn't target it exclusively, but as one branch of their gigantic gaming business.

I find these handheld PCs fascinating, but I'm looking forward to seeing the Xbox handheld, if real.