I say he continues through this generation and into the very beginning of the next, either late 2027 or early 2028. I went with 2027. MS seems to be on a seven year cycle with consoles now so I think that will be when the next Xbox launches, he'll see that through and then leave, hopefully with the Xbox brand in the best position it's ever been. He's done a great job turning things around.
@Dezzy70
Much like Nintendo after the Wii U disaster, I'm not looking at the competition, all I care about is MS doing much better with the Series consoles after the debacle that was the Xbox One. Seems like things are off to a good start, now if it could just get the big exclusives out quicker, the situation would be even better.
Awesome news, if true. Not really sure I'll be getting the new NFS as I feel the series hasn't been that great after Hot Pursuit back in 2010, I think it was, but the fact EA might be moving to current-gen only is big and hopefully means other companies are looking at doing the same.
With everything getting remakes or remasters these days, it only makes sense that two of the great action games of all-time would get the same treatment. Hopefully it's just graphics and performance bumps and fixing some of the gameplay flaws from the early 2000s. Leave out the modern-day bs like microtransactions.
Unfortunately I have to agree with most here, doesn't seem like this will be a 2022 release. The debut trailer got me really interested but it's been too quiet since.
@Would_you_kindly Pretty much. Remasters of the first two (with no unnecessary changes to the content to appease 'modern audiences') with a graphics engine built ground up for the current consoles is all I need from this series. I thought I wanted a new entry then I saw what the new team at Volition is doing.
Shouldn't apologize at all. If the game doesn't click with somebody that's fine, that person can go find something else to play. These type of games are for a specific audience but they continue to be made and generally sell well. Must be doing something right. The moaning about lack of difficulty options is pathetic at this point.
Not buying the game but if I was PS5 would be totally out of the question, censorship of an M-rated game when the developer went through all the right channels is, frankly, beyond ridiculous. I do think an option to give people the chance to skip over scenes is a good idea, or even an option just for them to be viewable but non-interactive. Forcing changes to the point where a person buying on one console can't play a scene, eventhough it's only a slight change, isn't something I'm for. More options is always better. At least from the descriptions, the game seems disturbing, but no sh*t, it's a horror game.
I was a bit nervous about Gears of War 4 but thought it turned out great and really enjoyed Gears 5 as well. It's my favorite Xbox series so the sooner Gears 6 is on the way, the better.
Eventhough I'm old enough to have played and enjoyed these games on PS1 and 2, I didn't play any Klonoa game until getting the Wii version around the time it released. Awesome game, will be getting this collection for the Switch.
It's pretty clear (especially given how it's already been stated by MS) that MS and Sony, both which showed pretty good restraint for a long time when it came to making acquisitions, are spooked by the potential of other companies entering the business and buying up everything. As I posted on PushSquare, I'd rather MS and Sony own companies like Bethesda, Activision and Bungie but in the long term I'm not sure consolidation is good for the gaming industry.
We'll see how everything plays out. I don't love the direction it's going, tbh.
Not the most popular name among the suits who help run the Xbox division but I remember hearing about her a few times. Nice, long career, best of luck to her.
@FraserG Thanks for this article. It helped me get Aegis Wing. For whatever reason the game was telling me I needed to login into my Xbox account when I tried to get it from the store on my Series X. This round about method ended up working instead.
@russbeer
There's no real thought process behind it. For certain games, it depends on the series. Resident Evil, for example, I've always viewed as more of a PlayStation series. When it comes to Tomb Raider, I didn't start playing those games until Legend on the 360, so my experience there is more on Xbox. For something like KoF XV, it's just more of a convenience thing. I'm gaming more on Xbox these days so that's the console I'm getting the game for.
Agree about the controllers. The Xbox Series one is good but of any controllers I've ever used the DualSense is easily my favorite.
Big game of February for me is Horizon: Forbidden West, which will be the first time PS5 game I've bought in a while. On the Xbox side, Crossfire X and King of Fighters XV are the ones I'm planning to get.
Halo Infinite has been my go-to game since it came out, don't play the multiplayer but love the campaign, first Halo campaign I've really been into since Reach. Other than that, I've been on a 360 kick lately. Dead or Alive 4 is one of my favorite fighting games of all-time, I've been playing that a lot since it was added to the backwards compatibility list, and I went nuts in the bc sale, so I'll probably start one of those games... Thinking either Split/Second or Killer is Dead.
I don't like seeing big publishers get purchased and I haven't been thrilled with where I've seen the gaming industry going for a while now. But it is what it is. Nothing I can do about it other than hope for the best. On the plus side, MS might actually clean up some of the nonsense that happened at Activision/Blizzard.
Bought it just for the campaign and glad I did. Wasn't the biggest fan of 4 and couldn't stand 5 but this campaign was extremely good. Best one from 343 by far and worthy of standing next to Bungie's work on the series.
Dead Rising 2: Case West, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Killer is Dead, Prey, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Gunvalkyrie, Ghost Recon Future Soldier, Conan. Great sale, might add one or two more games before it ends.
Obviously not the popular choice but my favorite genre, eventhough 99% of my gaming is single player, is FPS and I've always enjoyed the campaigns in the non-WW II era Call of Duty games. That's my top choice. Close second is Tony Hawk Pro Skater, slipped a bit in later entries but the early THPS were phenomenal.
Wonder if the talks involve some $ going MS' way from Sony? I can see both sides of the argument, keep CoD multiplat or make it exclusive, but to me, the latter would be the way to go unless MS really doesn't care about console sales anymore. People can say what they want about the series, future Call of Duty games being exclusive to Xbox would put the Series line in more demand than it already is.
Given how successful Forza has become with its two-tier strategy, I can't see MS, which owns the Project Gotham Racing IP, reviving Bizarre and bringing PGR back. But that would be awesome, it'd be my no.1 wish if I thought there was even a slight chance.
As it stands, it'd probably be easier for MS to rebuild Vicarious Visions and put the team to work on a new Tony Hawk game. Definitely would love to see that happen. It's utterly pathetic that Activision's 'reward' to for the great, and successful, TH remasters was to become a Call of Duty support studio.
I'm highly interested to see how this all plays out. Of the big 3, I think MS is the one most likely to willingly put its games on other platforms where it makes sense. For example, if new Crash Bandicoot and Spyro games get made, I could see Phil Spencer deciding to put them on PlayStation, due to legacy, and Nintendo due to the fact Nintendo fans love platformers. Of course, the big games, ones that could move consoles such as Call of Duty, I'd expect will be exclusive. A new Tony Hawk wouldn't move the needle like CoD but the series does have a following so that too is one that'd likely be exclusive.
So I ended up with Dead Rising 2: Case West, Deus Ex: Human Revolution (played it on PS3 years ago, this is a double dip because it's a phenomenal game), Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Killer is Dead, Prey, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Gunvalkyrie and Ghost Recon Future Soldier. Most of these purchases are games I owned in the past but never finished, however Gunvalkyrie and Killer is Dead are going to the first-time playthroughs, really looking forward to each. Always like Suda 51's games and I've heard mostly good stuff about Gunvalkyrie.
@mousieone Fair enough. At the end of the day, what's done is done. I don't like it but the agreement has been made. Once the purchase is finalized we just see where it goes. Maybe MS will surprise people with some of the decisions it makes regarding these IPs and more importantly maybe it does a better job cleaning up the culture around Activision-Blizzard than I expect it to.
@mousieone From a company relationship standpoint no doubt MS was closer with Bethesda than either Nintendo or Sony so I agree if it was going to be bought than MS made the most sense. Still, I would've preferred Bethesda stay independent and MS pay for timed or full exclusives on certain releases like Sony did with Deathloop.
Comments 2,054
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 16-17)
Xbox Series X - Sonic Colors Ultimate
Switch - Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Re: Pick One: Which Of These Rare Replay Games Is Your Favourite?
Perfect Dark
Re: Hideo Kojima & Xbox Partnership Still Seems To Be Going Ahead
If MS is working with Kojima I hope it found a way to also get Konami in a deal and that we get a real MGS 5.
Re: Poll: When Do You Think Phil Spencer Will Retire From Xbox?
I say he continues through this generation and into the very beginning of the next, either late 2027 or early 2028. I went with 2027. MS seems to be on a seven year cycle with consoles now so I think that will be when the next Xbox launches, he'll see that through and then leave, hopefully with the Xbox brand in the best position it's ever been. He's done a great job turning things around.
Re: Pick One: Which Is Your Favourite Star Wars Game On Xbox?
Knights of the Old Republic, followed closely by Jedi Fallen Order and Force Unleashed 1. Top 5 SW games along with Rogue Squadron 1 and 2.
Re: Xbox Series X|S UK Sales Have Surpassed The Nintendo GameCube
@Dezzy70
Much like Nintendo after the Wii U disaster, I'm not looking at the competition, all I care about is MS doing much better with the Series consoles after the debacle that was the Xbox One. Seems like things are off to a good start, now if it could just get the big exclusives out quicker, the situation would be even better.
Re: 2022's Need For Speed Is Reportedly Current-Gen Only
Awesome news, if true. Not really sure I'll be getting the new NFS as I feel the series hasn't been that great after Hot Pursuit back in 2010, I think it was, but the fact EA might be moving to current-gen only is big and hopefully means other companies are looking at doing the same.
Re: Remedy Announces Plans To Remake The First Two Max Payne Games
With everything getting remakes or remasters these days, it only makes sense that two of the great action games of all-time would get the same treatment. Hopefully it's just graphics and performance bumps and fixing some of the gameplay flaws from the early 2000s. Leave out the modern-day bs like microtransactions.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (March 12-13)
Xbox Series X - The King of Fighters XV and F.E.A.R.
PS5 - Horizon: Forbidden West and Gran Turismo 7
Re: It Looks Like Redfall Is Still Deep In Development As Arkane Looks For Devs
Unfortunately I have to agree with most here, doesn't seem like this will be a 2022 release. The debut trailer got me really interested but it's been too quiet since.
Re: Saints Row Legacy Edition For Xbox Spotted At Best Buy
@Would_you_kindly
Pretty much. Remasters of the first two (with no unnecessary changes to the content to appease 'modern audiences') with a graphics engine built ground up for the current consoles is all I need from this series. I thought I wanted a new entry then I saw what the new team at Volition is doing.
Re: Resident Evil 2, 3 And 7 Are All Coming To Xbox Series X|S Later This Year
Awesome. Hopefully we get some RE Village DLC this year as well...
Re: Elden Ring Creator 'Apologises' To Players Who Find It Too Hard
Shouldn't apologize at all. If the game doesn't click with somebody that's fine, that person can go find something else to play. These type of games are for a specific audience but they continue to be made and generally sell well. Must be doing something right. The moaning about lack of difficulty options is pathetic at this point.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 26-27)
Xbox Series X - The King of Fighters XV
PS5 - Horizon: Forbidden West
Re: Martha Is Dead: Here's What's Censored On PlayStation, But Included On Xbox
Not buying the game but if I was PS5 would be totally out of the question, censorship of an M-rated game when the developer went through all the right channels is, frankly, beyond ridiculous. I do think an option to give people the chance to skip over scenes is a good idea, or even an option just for them to be viewable but non-interactive. Forcing changes to the point where a person buying on one console can't play a scene, eventhough it's only a slight change, isn't something I'm for. More options is always better. At least from the descriptions, the game seems disturbing, but no sh*t, it's a horror game.
Re: Xbox Games With Gold For March 2022 Announced
I'll give Sacred 2 a try now, been interested for a while but never made a purchase.
Re: The Coalition Is Working On Several Unannounced Projects, Says Aaron Greenberg
I was a bit nervous about Gears of War 4 but thought it turned out great and really enjoyed Gears 5 as well. It's my favorite Xbox series so the sooner Gears 6 is on the way, the better.
Re: Street Fighter 6 Officially Revealed, No Word On Platforms Yet
I always get concerned when a big game is announced and platforms aren't announced along with it.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 19-20)
The big 2 that launched the last couple days, which also happened to be two of my most-anticipated games for the year...
Xbox Series X - The King of Fighters XV (hope to see a review both here and PushSquare at some point)
PS5 - Horizon: Forbidden West
Re: Halo's Paramount Plus Series Is Getting A Second Season
I'm just happy MS is smart enough not to make this cannon for the games.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 12-13)
Edge of Eternity, Crossfire X Operation Catalyst, Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5.
Re: Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series Is Bringing The 90s PS1 Classic To Xbox
Eventhough I'm old enough to have played and enjoyed these games on PS1 and 2, I didn't play any Klonoa game until getting the Wii version around the time it released. Awesome game, will be getting this collection for the Switch.
Re: Microsoft Confirms Plans For Activision Blizzard Games On PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
It's pretty clear (especially given how it's already been stated by MS) that MS and Sony, both which showed pretty good restraint for a long time when it came to making acquisitions, are spooked by the potential of other companies entering the business and buying up everything. As I posted on PushSquare, I'd rather MS and Sony own companies like Bethesda, Activision and Bungie but in the long term I'm not sure consolidation is good for the gaming industry.
We'll see how everything plays out. I don't love the direction it's going, tbh.
Re: Xbox Veteran Shannon Loftis Retires From Microsoft After 29 Years
Not the most popular name among the suits who help run the Xbox division but I remember hearing about her a few times. Nice, long career, best of luck to her.
Re: GTA Trilogy Sales 'Exceeded Expectations' Despite Buggy Launch
No shock. The person who plays GTA and not much else simply doesn't care about bugs or glitches. They see a new Grand Theft Auto game, they buy.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (February 5-6)
A couple 360 games on the Series X through backwards compatibility, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe and MK 9.
Re: How To Buy 'Delisted' Backwards Compatible Games On Xbox
@FraserG
Thanks for this article. It helped me get Aegis Wing. For whatever reason the game was telling me I needed to login into my Xbox account when I tried to get it from the store on my Series X. This round about method ended up working instead.
Re: CrossfireX 'Operation Catalyst' Campaign Will Be Free On Xbox Game Pass
I'll try the campaign for sure, don't know if I'll buy it, though. Cautiously optimistic. I like Remedy but concerned that we haven't heard much.
Re: Roundup: Here's What's Coming To Xbox In February 2022
@russbeer
There's no real thought process behind it. For certain games, it depends on the series. Resident Evil, for example, I've always viewed as more of a PlayStation series. When it comes to Tomb Raider, I didn't start playing those games until Legend on the 360, so my experience there is more on Xbox. For something like KoF XV, it's just more of a convenience thing. I'm gaming more on Xbox these days so that's the console I'm getting the game for.
Agree about the controllers. The Xbox Series one is good but of any controllers I've ever used the DualSense is easily my favorite.
Re: Pick One: Which Of These February Xbox Releases Are You Most Excited For?
Other: The King of Fighters XV.
Re: Roundup: Here's What's Coming To Xbox In February 2022
Big game of February for me is Horizon: Forbidden West, which will be the first time PS5 game I've bought in a while. On the Xbox side, Crossfire X and King of Fighters XV are the ones I'm planning to get.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (January 29-30)
Halo Infinite has been my go-to game since it came out, don't play the multiplayer but love the campaign, first Halo campaign I've really been into since Reach. Other than that, I've been on a 360 kick lately. Dead or Alive 4 is one of my favorite fighting games of all-time, I've been playing that a lot since it was added to the backwards compatibility list, and I went nuts in the bc sale, so I'll probably start one of those games... Thinking either Split/Second or Killer is Dead.
Re: Talking Point: 10 Days Later, How Are You Feeling About The Activision Blizzard Acquisition?
I don't like seeing big publishers get purchased and I haven't been thrilled with where I've seen the gaming industry going for a while now. But it is what it is. Nothing I can do about it other than hope for the best. On the plus side, MS might actually clean up some of the nonsense that happened at Activision/Blizzard.
Re: Guess What, Everyone's Criticising Xbox Games With Gold Again
I actually don't think this month's selection is terrible. None of these are blockbuster games but Hydrophobia is pretty decent.
Re: Halo Infinite Is Officially The 'Biggest Launch' In Franchise History
Bought it just for the campaign and glad I did. Wasn't the biggest fan of 4 and couldn't stand 5 but this campaign was extremely good. Best one from 343 by far and worthy of standing next to Bungie's work on the series.
Re: Xbox Exec Responds To Being Criticised For 'Trolling' PlayStation Fans On Twitter
His mistake here is acknowledging these idiotic fanboys at all.
Re: Deals: Xbox Lunar New Year Sale Now Live, 500+ Games Discounted
Another killer sale, just bought Split/Second and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.
Re: Deals: All 50+ Backwards Compatible Games In The Xbox Lunar New Year Sale 2022
@FraserG
Split/Second is one of the games I was considering, think I'm going to pull the trigger on a purchase after reading your reply.
Re: Talking Point: What Have You Bought In The Xbox Backwards Compatibility Sale?
Dead Rising 2: Case West, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Killer is Dead, Prey, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Gunvalkyrie, Ghost Recon Future Soldier, Conan. Great sale, might add one or two more games before it ends.
Re: Pick One: Which Of These Is Your Favourite Activision Blizzard Franchise?
Obviously not the popular choice but my favorite genre, eventhough 99% of my gaming is single player, is FPS and I've always enjoyed the campaigns in the non-WW II era Call of Duty games. That's my top choice. Close second is Tony Hawk Pro Skater, slipped a bit in later entries but the early THPS were phenomenal.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (January 22-23)
Wind Jammers 2 and Halo Infinite
Re: Talking Point: What February 2022 Xbox Games With Gold Do You Want?
Maybe something from the Activision catalog like one of the Modern Warfare games.
Re: Xbox's Phil Spencer Confirms Plans To Keep Call Of Duty On PlayStation
Wonder if the talks involve some $ going MS' way from Sony? I can see both sides of the argument, keep CoD multiplat or make it exclusive, but to me, the latter would be the way to go unless MS really doesn't care about console sales anymore. People can say what they want about the series, future Call of Duty games being exclusive to Xbox would put the Series line in more demand than it already is.
Re: Sony Expects Xbox To 'Ensure' Activision Games Are Still Available On PlayStation
If I were Phil Spencer I'd tell Sony to kick rocks.
Re: Xbox Fans Call For Microsoft To Bring Back Classic Activision Games
@Banjo-
Yup. Disgusting. Crash 4 is one of my favorite PS4 games.
Re: Xbox Fans Call For Microsoft To Bring Back Classic Activision Games
Given how successful Forza has become with its two-tier strategy, I can't see MS, which owns the Project Gotham Racing IP, reviving Bizarre and bringing PGR back. But that would be awesome, it'd be my no.1 wish if I thought there was even a slight chance.
As it stands, it'd probably be easier for MS to rebuild Vicarious Visions and put the team to work on a new Tony Hawk game. Definitely would love to see that happen. It's utterly pathetic that Activision's 'reward' to for the great, and successful, TH remasters was to become a Call of Duty support studio.
Re: Talking Point: Will Call Of Duty Become An Xbox Exclusive In The Future?
I'm highly interested to see how this all plays out. Of the big 3, I think MS is the one most likely to willingly put its games on other platforms where it makes sense. For example, if new Crash Bandicoot and Spyro games get made, I could see Phil Spencer deciding to put them on PlayStation, due to legacy, and Nintendo due to the fact Nintendo fans love platformers. Of course, the big games, ones that could move consoles such as Call of Duty, I'd expect will be exclusive. A new Tony Hawk wouldn't move the needle like CoD but the series does have a following so that too is one that'd likely be exclusive.
Re: Deals: Xbox Is Having A Massive Backwards Compatibility Sale This Week
So I ended up with Dead Rising 2: Case West, Deus Ex: Human Revolution (played it on PS3 years ago, this is a double dip because it's a phenomenal game), Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Killer is Dead, Prey, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Gunvalkyrie and Ghost Recon Future Soldier. Most of these purchases are games I owned in the past but never finished, however Gunvalkyrie and Killer is Dead are going to the first-time playthroughs, really looking forward to each. Always like Suda 51's games and I've heard mostly good stuff about Gunvalkyrie.
Re: Microsoft Is Buying Activision Blizzard, Reportedly For $70 Billion
@mousieone
Fair enough. At the end of the day, what's done is done. I don't like it but the agreement has been made. Once the purchase is finalized we just see where it goes. Maybe MS will surprise people with some of the decisions it makes regarding these IPs and more importantly maybe it does a better job cleaning up the culture around Activision-Blizzard than I expect it to.
Re: Microsoft Is Buying Activision Blizzard, Reportedly For $70 Billion
@mousieone
From a company relationship standpoint no doubt MS was closer with Bethesda than either Nintendo or Sony so I agree if it was going to be bought than MS made the most sense. Still, I would've preferred Bethesda stay independent and MS pay for timed or full exclusives on certain releases like Sony did with Deathloop.