@CutchuSlow What happens naturally with your body is that each ear picks up frequencies from soundwaves travelling to you which triggers a binaural response in your brain for you to understand position in 3D space.
So, binaural sound (much like Dolby Atmos for Headphones or 3D Audio on PS5) simulates how your ears are able to interpret sounds in a 3D space.
However, the difference comes in the recording.
Dolby Atmos and 3D Audio is generally recorded with a single microphone and added to 3D space by a computer. For speakers, it just comes out the proper channel and for headphones, an algorithm determines the proper frequencies to trigger the binaural response (to varying degrees of success).
When someone does a binaural recording, they basically have a dummy head with 2 microphones attached to the ears. Voices are then recorded in various locations around the head and at varying distances. Both microphones pick up the sounds. When it's played back via headphones, it triggers the binaural response because the microphones pick up the sounds from different directions just like your ears do. Think of it as a 1:1 translation of sound to ear.
Having it beamed directly into your ears via headphones is just more effective than having all that mixed by an engineer for surround sound.
The voices feel like they are "in your head" rather than coming from a speaker.
I had the same thought you did when I played the first game on PS4 in surround sound (because I have a really good setup). It was good, but I didn't understand the hype of the game.
I did a second playthrough on Xbox (via Game Pass) using headphones and it was like hearing a totally different game and I finally understood what people were talking about.
I can't believe how good this game looks! I played for about an hour, and it has got to be the most impressive real-time graphics I have ever seen! It looks borderline pre-rendered CG.
The fact it performs so well is also a huge plus! There were some slight hitches during the beginning of a couple of cutscenes, but I didn't notice any frame drops during actual gameplay.
I don't even notice the black bars (thanks mostly to the Active Array turning off backlighting on those particular parts of my TV, so it's pure black - I don't have an OLED, so it's the closest thing I have to achieving "True Black").
The audio design is even better than the first game. That intro sequence is extremely disorienting! The soundtrack is superb and really sets the tone.
Combat is incredibly "primal" and slow-paced, but it has a nice "punch" to it when blows are landed. I got incredibly nervous during a pivotal battle, but everything panned out to a satisfying end.
@OrfeasDourvas I think itās just that people want the spectacle of something like God of War, Bayonetta, (modern) Final Fantasy, or Spider-Man rather than the visceral and weighty type of fighting that Hellblade uses.
Senua has no flash or finesse with her combat style and people might see that as boring. Itās not fast like those other games. There are no combos to master or new moves to unlock.
I donāt think either focus is wrong, but in a world of flashy spectacle, something more arthouse and raw is always going to be divisive.
I really liked how the first gameās combat made you feel like almost as exhausted as Senua looked when it was all over. This game looks more intense than the first in that aspect.
Can't wait to dive in. I really enjoyed the first game despite it not being much of a game in the traditional sense, and, based on reviews, it sounds like I will enjoy this as well.
I'd be interested to see how the revamped Neighborhood system works.
One thing I thought was odd that even a "Cleared" neighborhood was no different than a non-cleared neighborhood. It would have been cool if there were differences and even bonuses to actually freeing them (other than for game progression purposes).
Hopefully the developers manage to add some kind of Story Quest that unlocks access back to Redfall proper once you "finish" it.
@NEStalgia Even so, Microsoft's research in AI, Quantum Computing, Cloud Infrastructure, etc. etc. are all getting used by researchers to help tackle modern problems - including medical research, pharmaceuticals, and tackling even logistical issues and humanitarian necessities.
Sure, it's all for the sake of money, but it's still making a difference where it matters.
To me, I personally don't care if people make donations to causes for tax reduction purposes or invest in technology to better the world just to make more money, it's the fact it is happening at all that matters to me.
The world isn't going to change by poor people with great intentions. It's going to change by rich people clearing their conscience.
@K1LLEGAL Yeah, I am not sure who should be doing the talking now, though.
Sure, Phil is the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, but Sarah Bond is now the head of Xbox.
There are just too many [expletive] CEOs in Microsoft right now! LOL!
But yeah, there needs to be some old-school "behind closed doors" screaming matches going on at Redmond.
I have nothing against Satya. He's certainly moved Microsoft in positive directions (even if those positive directions are nothing more than opportunities to get more people rich), but he has got to let the Xbox people handle Xbox things.
@themightyant "Smart decision even if current performance is a bit iffy."
Not really sure Bethesda can do much else with performance in cities unless it wants to completely strip them of all but the "important" NPCs and leave them looking almost completely lifeless.
Though Digital Foundry did note that the supposed culling of city crowds in Performance Mode didn't seem to happen as crowd density looked the same.
Perhaps, in complete Bethesda fashion, there is a bug in the patch with regards to reducing crowd density in Performance Mode.
I do like this approach that Bethesda is taking with the Modes.
Sure, there might be a little too "PC-like" compared to Performance/Visuals Mode, but it does future-proof the game as Microsoft's next system will probably be able to run the Visuals Mode at 60+fps all the time.
I kind of hope this becomes a standard going forward if games continue to have different performance/visual profiles for games.
Plus, as a tech head, it provides a good benchmark of the hardware's capabilities with the game. Apparently, the game gets pretty high FPS in the Unlocked + 120 Mode when it's not CPU bound by cities.
With the $1000+ dollars I spend on buying both Xbox and PlayStation, I could have bought a good gaming laptop to play Microsoft and Sony games at least console settings. Plus, all the PC games I like from when I was a PC gamer back in the early 2000s. Plus, emulation.
In the end, it really does feel like the better deal. Sure, I lose most of the purpose of my 4K TV as I'd be playing most games at like 1080p on a laptop, but the amount of games at my disposal is significantly higher.
I think if Microsoft doesn't manage to successfully make the "Xbox PC" for next generation, I will look into migrating to PC rather than clogging up my entertainment center with multiple consoles (well, except a Nintendo console, which I will always buy).
@Tasuki I used to love WoW back in the day. I stopped for a while after Burning Crusade. Then my account got hacked by gold farmers in my absence and was banned.
I had to like send my ID and a whole bunch of stuff to Blizzard to get my account back, but my main was deleted and I had a bunch of mule characters on my account with like no gear at all.
Isnāt it free to play until level 40 (with restrictions) or something, now?
The problem with jumping into an MMO after so many years is that there never fells like there is a proper "introduction". You are thrown into all this built up lore and content that it's hard to really ease into the game.
And it never seems like anyone has any patience for new players and basically leave you to flounder.
I wonder why Xbox chose to make AutoHDR optional when used for backwards compatible titles, but is automatically used no matter what for Series X titles.
I am not necessarily complaining because I like AutoHDR, but, at the same time, it would be nice to at least disable it when AutoHDR is disabled for those who don't like it. It feels...sneaky as people are assuming the HDR is hand-crafted, but it's not because there is nothing telling you otherwise.
Psychonauts 2 uses it.
Alan Wake Remastered uses it.
Fallout 4 uses it.
I am sure there are probably more, but those are the 3 games that come to mind that use AutoHDR for Series X|S "native" games.
1 - Xbox consoles will be a total shift to PC architecture with a specialized "console UI" going forward - no more "closed" console. It will still be a defined hardware spec for PC developers to validate against, but won't require special console development kits or licenses. This will help with the "not worth porting to Xbox" problem as the PC versions will just work.
2 - Official Xbox 360 and OG Xbox emulators that can work on mobile, PC, and "console" for games that don't have PC versions (e.g. Blue Dragon).
3 - Figuring out how cloud saves for X360 and OG Xbox games can be converted or imported into applicable PC versions so that emulation isn't required for those games (probably pie in the sky ask there)
4 - Transferring entire digital library from across the generations to their PC versions (where applicable).
5 - Figuring out how to get OG Xbox, X360, X1, Series physical media working for PC versions of the games on their "console" with an external Blu-ray drive.
So basically, Xbox wants all the benefits people with PCs have had forever, but with the tricky part of figuring out how people won't lose progress with games that didn't use Xbox Anywhere (or came before it) or access to games they own that only exist on OG Xbox, X360, and X1.
@Weebleman "Either way, I hope they find it. Sony needs a MS firing on all cylinders and vice versa. If one or the other drops out of the race the only folks that will suffer in the long run is us gamers."
Absolutely. I want a strong gaming market, not a lopsided one (no matter what side has the significant upper hand).
"Expecting folks to drop a digital collection on a competitor, buy a new console and game just to play online for free simply won't be a choice most make. Some will, but if all their pals are on the console they own, chances are they won't."
I mean, the vast majority of console buyers are the casuals who are only playing COD, FIFA, Madden, Fortnite, etc., so platform is a non-issue - it's more of a habitual purchase. Only about 20% of console owners are the "core" audience. And even less of that are people who comment on these pages.
And with cross-platform play being the norm, now, it really doesn't matter if all their friends are on PlayStation and you are on Xbox - you can still play with them!
"They will simply pick up what's hot and their kids want."
Ditching online service fees could be that thing that makes Xbox "hot".
But this is all just playground banter anyways. Since we don't have any idea what strategy Microsoft has with everything going on, it's tough to even tell what would even help.
I do know that price hikes and studio closures isn't the answer.
Saving consumers ~$50/yr on average might be, though. Sure, Microsoft loses that ~$50/yr for those who already pay, but it might entice people to actually play online more, buy games with an online component, and/or buy MTX knowing that they don't have to pay for online anymore. Do away with Game Pass completely is less money out the door keeping Game Pass alive.
Imagine being able to buy a cheap Series S, pay $70 for the latest Call of Duty, and that's it! That could be a huge boost in sales - well, until Sony inevitably has to also do away with PS+ requirement to try to draw people back (if it can afford to do so).
@EvenStephen7 I think it would be the right 180, though and long overdue. Besides, it only seems right that the one who started it should be the one who ends it!
I also think Cloud Saves should be free on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles because..let's face it...just about everywhere under the sun has Cloud Data at no cost.
@HonestHick It would be a start in the right direction in rebuilding good will with the community.
As much as I have enjoyed the benefits of Game Pass, I can take it or leave it.
If Microsoft is realizing it can't grow Game Pass subscriptions and it can't afford to put all its first-party games on it as promised, then it's time to do away with it!
Price-hiking if Call of Duty drops on the service isn't the answer.
Most people who buy Call of Duty don't buy it for the campaign and move on (which is the real benefit to a Game Pass subscription), they buy it to play multiplayer for a whole year until the next one comes out.
It already costs less to buy the game outright (even with cost of Game Pass Core to play online) than to pay for a year of Game Puss Ultimate, so a price hike will do nothing more than make Game Pass Ultimate even less appealing to play Call of Duty.
Honestly, Microsoft would do best just to roll traditional Call of Duty multiplayer Modes/Maps into the Warzone and skip the annual COD releases.
Here is a bold idea. Do away with paid online all together!
How many people would move over to Xbox consoles and buy Xbox versions if they knew that they could play the latest Call of Duty WITHOUT the need for PS+ or Game Pass Core or any of that nonsense, but also don't need to buy an expensive and less-casual-friendly PC to get free online play?
This is not what I expected with this merger. Some cuts due to redundancy with executives, accounting, etc., sure, but not cutting all this talent to focus on "tentpole" games.
I was hoping that by having a ton of studios with a wealth of IPs would mean some revitalization of forgotten games spread across those developers.
I thought it would mean that the "COD Factory" developers could perhaps work on passion projects for a change.
I hoped that things would be different under Microsoft as there was a time when developers were given a "longer leash" to work on projects.
Now, I worry about Ninja Theory if Hellblade II doesn't stick its landing.
I worry about Double Fine if their next game isn't well received (though I am sure if Microsoft closed that, Tim Schafer would just open another studio the next day and take his employees with him).
I worry that Perfect Dark will get canned because it's seeming to be too much of a hassle, now.
Is pressure on InXile with Clockwork Revolution?
Will Fable get canned?
I don't even know how to even respond to everything going on with Team Green right now.
If it really is an issue about profitability, it's time to kill the program and go back to the Games With Gold model but with better selection of games every month.
I know game development isn't easy (believe me, I tried and hated it), but FPS genre has been around forever - heck, Microsoft even owns the developer that defined the genre as well that company that originally developed the Perfect Dark franchise - how "troubled" could development possible be when you have the best resources possible for this kind of game?!
I think the problem is that Microsoft lets people run with ideas to the point that it lets Scoop Creep settle in a little too much. I also think there isn't as much collaboration as there should be among Microsoft Studios.
I get that all the studios have their own games to work on, but they should be able to share technology, lessons learned, etc. to help other studios, at the very least.
@Faruko That doesn't mean I think BGS is a good developer. The Creation Engine is hot garbage and the gameplay loop of their games is about as interesting as watching paint dry.
The problem with BGS is that their ambition outweighs good game design. What gameplay purpose does putting tens of thousands of potatoes in a cockpit serve when you have to have loading screens at every corner and your CPU is screaming for room to breath? It's immersive in that you can do these things at the expense of breaking immersion for the rest of the game!
Sure, it's great that you can grab and move and persist every little item in the game...but not if that means you have to save on animation cycles and talk to mannequins who can move their lips.
I guess my point is, BGS focuses on a lot of the wrong things that make games interesting in an effort to make the game "real".
Oh, cool, you can read every book in the game? I wish the writers had spent that much time on the actual Main Campaign to make it interesting rather than writing books that most players will probably ignore!
I'm not saying that those things aren't neat - it's definitely impressive - but it all comes at a significant cost to other more interesting things. BGS RPGs are the very definition of "too much" and I'd much rather see the IPs made by someone else who actually knows how to make fun games.
Tango made fun games - even if they weren't necessarily technically ambitious.
But, alas, as always, bean counting wins over fun.
@Ilyn Yeah, that's the rub. I was primarily a PC person for years and only played console games that didn't release on PC. I fully understand the "ease of use" issues they can have.
I stopped because I enjoyed the simplicity of a console. On PC, I'd be spending way too much time in the settings menu trying to maximize image quality to performance ratios and not enough time just enjoying the game.
But it seems like a lot of newer titles have the simpler settings than when I was gaming on PC where the "out of the box" settings will be just fine to get a good experience.
The only thing holding me back from going PC is that it's great as long as long as everything works, but a huge pain in the butt when things don't - something that really isn't an issue on consoles.
Sad to hear you were having Dead Space issues, though. I have that on my Steam library and never once had a problem using an Xbox controller connected via USB on my potato Surface Book 2.
One game I had issues with was Max Payne on Steam, but a community patch was just a download away to fix the sound problems I was having. Annoying, but thankfully fixable.
"if Xbox went the route of PC in the lounge how it would get access to the games."
I'd argue it would be the same way that the current Xbox works. In essence, an Xbox PC would act like a standard Xbox, but also acts as a sort of Launchbox experience for Steam, GOG, etc.
Now, Microsoft would certainly have to partner with Steam , GOG, Epic, etc. in order to be able to purchase/install games within the UI, but I could see a future where the Xbox UI looks almost identical as it does now, but adds new Tabs in the "All Games and Apps" section to include games available to you from other storefronts in their own Tabs (just like how EA Play has its own Tab).
The other thing is that Microsoft really needs to do is court more companies to release games on Microsoft Store. I am not sure the hesitation there unless it has something to do with the PC GDK being designed for Game Pass PC as most modern games that are on the PC Microsoft Store have been on Game Pass at one time or another.
Not all publishers plan/want to have a Game Pass release, so if there a requirement that a game needs to be subject to a Game Pass release in order to release on PC Microsoft Store and use GDK, that needs some re-thinking.
All I know is, the first company to give me a console-like way to access PC-versions of games (that isn't Steam Deck) will be the one to get my money going forward. PC has all the Microsoft Gaming games I would want to get as well as Sony titles that eventually get ported (and I don't really have FOMO, so I can wait). Plus emulation. Plus access to tons of classic gamers (even if playing those classic games isn't as straight-forward as Steam in Big Box Mode or a console).
I am strongly considering getting rid of both my PS5 and XSX (but keeping my Switch) and just getting an affordable gaming laptop - one that can play all the latest games with at least console settings.
For a laptop screen, 1080p/30fps at the absolute minimum would probably get me pretty far in gaming spaces.
Modern gaming is such a mess and with things like GOG selling older titles plus having the ability to use emulation, going back to PC is much more sensible than dealing with Sony or Microsoft consoles.
I donāt care about the plastic box, just the ability to play games and a gaming laptop could potentially save me money over buying multiple consoles.
They have a 20-hour forgettable story that is nothing more than a super-sized tutorial to their game world that has so many useless gameplay mechanics all for the sake of living in this world and generating your own fun for thousands of hours.
"These changes are grounded in prioritizing high-impact titles and further investing in Bethesdaās portfolio of blockbuster games and beloved worlds which you have nurtured over many decades."
Then close down BGS. Honestly, I'll miss Tango Gameworks' output more than Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Starfield. Give development of those IPs to studios that know how to reel in development to make something more cohesive and focused.
"We are making these tough decisions to create capacity to increase investment in other parts of our portfolio and focus on our priority games."
Yeah, this is NOT the statement that makes it all better. You bought all these studios for their creative talent and various IP only to close some to focus a select few titles?!
@HonestHick I did have an LG OLED for a day (and it was glorious for the 20 minutes of gaming I did on it just to check it out)...but, it was...uhm...vetoed...when I revealed the price and I had to return it.
It sucks that I have a TV that does do VRR, but is only a 60Hz display. It can do 40 in VRR....
I guess that's what I get for saving money by getting a Vizio rather than an LG OLED or something. The color quality on my Vizio is really good, though since it's a QLED.
Seeing as how the codename for 2024 Call of Duty is "Cerberus" (according to a data breach from December 2022) and there is a Cerberus logo in this teaser...you are probably on the nose with it being Call of Duty.
Having as an Epic Games Store exclusive probably didn't help, either - PC gamers don't like it. I bet it would get a big boost if it dropped on Steam and GOG.
I'll go ahead and trust that Bethesda did in fact make the Xbox Series X version the best way to play by allowing Quality Mode to be 4K/60/Ultra and Performance Mode to be 4K/60/Standard.
Why were the patch notes even put out that way to cause both confusion for players as well create doubt that Bethesda is even telling the truth here?!
Someone had to look at those notes and say "Yup, seems right to me!" when, in fact, the patch notes weren't descriptive enough to single out the Series X version.
Comments 2,062
Re: Talking Point: What Dream Reveal Would You Like To See At The Xbox Games Showcase 2024?
I want Microsoft to reveal that my Series X is actually a Transformer that only comes to life when you input the Konami Code during boot up.
Hey...you asked for a "Dream Reveal" right?! š
Re: Ninja Theory Explains Why Headphones Are So Important In Hellblade 2
@CutchuSlow What happens naturally with your body is that each ear picks up frequencies from soundwaves travelling to you which triggers a binaural response in your brain for you to understand position in 3D space.
So, binaural sound (much like Dolby Atmos for Headphones or 3D Audio on PS5) simulates how your ears are able to interpret sounds in a 3D space.
However, the difference comes in the recording.
Dolby Atmos and 3D Audio is generally recorded with a single microphone and added to 3D space by a computer. For speakers, it just comes out the proper channel and for headphones, an algorithm determines the proper frequencies to trigger the binaural response (to varying degrees of success).
When someone does a binaural recording, they basically have a dummy head with 2 microphones attached to the ears. Voices are then recorded in various locations around the head and at varying distances. Both microphones pick up the sounds. When it's played back via headphones, it triggers the binaural response because the microphones pick up the sounds from different directions just like your ears do. Think of it as a 1:1 translation of sound to ear.
Having it beamed directly into your ears via headphones is just more effective than having all that mixed by an engineer for surround sound.
The voices feel like they are "in your head" rather than coming from a speaker.
I had the same thought you did when I played the first game on PS4 in surround sound (because I have a really good setup). It was good, but I didn't understand the hype of the game.
I did a second playthrough on Xbox (via Game Pass) using headphones and it was like hearing a totally different game and I finally understood what people were talking about.
Re: Poll: What Do You Think Of The Graphics In Hellblade 2 For Xbox Series X|S?
I can't believe how good this game looks! I played for about an hour, and it has got to be the most impressive real-time graphics I have ever seen! It looks borderline pre-rendered CG.
The fact it performs so well is also a huge plus! There were some slight hitches during the beginning of a couple of cutscenes, but I didn't notice any frame drops during actual gameplay.
I don't even notice the black bars (thanks mostly to the Active Array turning off backlighting on those particular parts of my TV, so it's pure black - I don't have an OLED, so it's the closest thing I have to achieving "True Black").
The audio design is even better than the first game. That intro sequence is extremely disorienting! The soundtrack is superb and really sets the tone.
Combat is incredibly "primal" and slow-paced, but it has a nice "punch" to it when blows are landed. I got incredibly nervous during a pivotal battle, but everything panned out to a satisfying end.
It's really a great experience so far.
Re: Poll: What Do You Think Of The Graphics In Hellblade 2 For Xbox Series X|S?
@OrfeasDourvas I think itās just that people want the spectacle of something like God of War, Bayonetta, (modern) Final Fantasy, or Spider-Man rather than the visceral and weighty type of fighting that Hellblade uses.
Senua has no flash or finesse with her combat style and people might see that as boring. Itās not fast like those other games. There are no combos to master or new moves to unlock.
I donāt think either focus is wrong, but in a world of flashy spectacle, something more arthouse and raw is always going to be divisive.
I really liked how the first gameās combat made you feel like almost as exhausted as Senua looked when it was all over. This game looks more intense than the first in that aspect.
Re: Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree Story Trailer Intrigues Ahead Of June Xbox Release
I need to brush up on my Elden Ring skills again!
Can't wait!
Re: Roundup: Here's What The Critics Are Saying About Xbox's Hellblade 2
Can't wait to dive in. I really enjoyed the first game despite it not being much of a game in the traditional sense, and, based on reviews, it sounds like I will enjoy this as well.
Re: Talking Point: Rockstar Fans, How Hyped Are You For GTA 6?
I couldn't care less.
Re: Bethesda Announces Plans For The Final Redfall Update On Xbox & PC
I'd be interested to see how the revamped Neighborhood system works.
One thing I thought was odd that even a "Cleared" neighborhood was no different than a non-cleared neighborhood. It would have been cool if there were differences and even bonuses to actually freeing them (other than for game progression purposes).
Hopefully the developers manage to add some kind of Story Quest that unlocks access back to Redfall proper once you "finish" it.
Re: GameSir Unveils 'Groundbreaking' New Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller
Well, I guess you can't blame the controller itself for input lag.
High precision doesn't mean much when you still have Cloud Streaming latency to contend with.
Re: Report: Call Of Duty 2024 Will Launch Day One On Xbox Game Pass
Cool, I'll actually try a new Call of Duty game - something I haven't don't since...well...Modern Warfare 2 on X360.
Playing the campaign and deleting will make this a great value for me.
For those who play this game for the whole year would be better off buying it as it's cheaper than a year of Game Pass Ultimate.
Re: It's Official! GTA 6 Launches For Xbox Series X|S In Fall 2025
Cool, I guess.
Honestly, I donāt see the appeal anymore.
I guess when you finally grow up, the whole edginess and living out the criminal fantasy all just seems so juvenile.
Re: Activision Is Opening A New Studio To Build 'Genre-Defining' Games At Microsoft
This will go over well with everyone, I'm sure.
Hope they're taking resumes from Tango.
Re: Rumour: Xbox Planning To Bring More Games To PS5, Despite Some 'Unease' At Microsoft
@NEStalgia Even so, Microsoft's research in AI, Quantum Computing, Cloud Infrastructure, etc. etc. are all getting used by researchers to help tackle modern problems - including medical research, pharmaceuticals, and tackling even logistical issues and humanitarian necessities.
Sure, it's all for the sake of money, but it's still making a difference where it matters.
To me, I personally don't care if people make donations to causes for tax reduction purposes or invest in technology to better the world just to make more money, it's the fact it is happening at all that matters to me.
The world isn't going to change by poor people with great intentions. It's going to change by rich people clearing their conscience.
Re: Rumour: Xbox Planning To Bring More Games To PS5, Despite Some 'Unease' At Microsoft
@K1LLEGAL Yeah, I am not sure who should be doing the talking now, though.
Sure, Phil is the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, but Sarah Bond is now the head of Xbox.
There are just too many [expletive] CEOs in Microsoft right now! LOL!
But yeah, there needs to be some old-school "behind closed doors" screaming matches going on at Redmond.
I have nothing against Satya. He's certainly moved Microsoft in positive directions (even if those positive directions are nothing more than opportunities to get more people rich), but he has got to let the Xbox people handle Xbox things.
Re: Rumour: Xbox Planning To Bring More Games To PS5, Despite Some 'Unease' At Microsoft
Why even have an "Xbox Leadership" at this point if these decisions are just going to get dictated by Corporate?
Re: Starfield Comparison Shows Differences Between 30FPS & 60FPS Modes On Xbox Series X
@themightyant "Smart decision even if current performance is a bit iffy."
Not really sure Bethesda can do much else with performance in cities unless it wants to completely strip them of all but the "important" NPCs and leave them looking almost completely lifeless.
Though Digital Foundry did note that the supposed culling of city crowds in Performance Mode didn't seem to happen as crowd density looked the same.
Perhaps, in complete Bethesda fashion, there is a bug in the patch with regards to reducing crowd density in Performance Mode.
Re: Starfield Comparison Shows Differences Between 30FPS & 60FPS Modes On Xbox Series X
I do like this approach that Bethesda is taking with the Modes.
Sure, there might be a little too "PC-like" compared to Performance/Visuals Mode, but it does future-proof the game as Microsoft's next system will probably be able to run the Visuals Mode at 60+fps all the time.
I kind of hope this becomes a standard going forward if games continue to have different performance/visual profiles for games.
Plus, as a tech head, it provides a good benchmark of the hardware's capabilities with the game. Apparently, the game gets pretty high FPS in the Unlocked + 120 Mode when it's not CPU bound by cities.
Re: Analyst Claims PS5 Outsold Xbox Series X|S Almost 5:1 Last Quarter
@HonestHick I'm with you on this, brotha!
With the $1000+ dollars I spend on buying both Xbox and PlayStation, I could have bought a good gaming laptop to play Microsoft and Sony games at least console settings.
Plus, all the PC games I like from when I was a PC gamer back in the early 2000s.
Plus, emulation.
In the end, it really does feel like the better deal. Sure, I lose most of the purpose of my 4K TV as I'd be playing most games at like 1080p on a laptop, but the amount of games at my disposal is significantly higher.
I think if Microsoft doesn't manage to successfully make the "Xbox PC" for next generation, I will look into migrating to PC rather than clogging up my entertainment center with multiple consoles (well, except a Nintendo console, which I will always buy).
Re: Talking Point: 10 Years On, Have You Ever Played The Elder Scrolls Online?
@Tasuki I used to love WoW back in the day. I stopped for a while after Burning Crusade. Then my account got hacked by gold farmers in my absence and was banned.
I had to like send my ID and a whole bunch of stuff to Blizzard to get my account back, but my main was deleted and I had a bunch of mule characters on my account with like no gear at all.
Isnāt it free to play until level 40 (with restrictions) or something, now?
Re: Talking Point: 10 Years On, Have You Ever Played The Elder Scrolls Online?
I turned it on for about 10 minutes.
There was too much going on I didn't understand.
Uninstalled and never went back.
The problem with jumping into an MMO after so many years is that there never fells like there is a proper "introduction". You are thrown into all this built up lore and content that it's hard to really ease into the game.
And it never seems like anyone has any patience for new players and basically leave you to flounder.
Re: Fallout 4's New Next-Gen Update Is Getting Much Better Feedback On Xbox
I wonder why Xbox chose to make AutoHDR optional when used for backwards compatible titles, but is automatically used no matter what for Series X titles.
I am not necessarily complaining because I like AutoHDR, but, at the same time, it would be nice to at least disable it when AutoHDR is disabled for those who don't like it. It feels...sneaky as people are assuming the HDR is hand-crafted, but it's not because there is nothing telling you otherwise.
Psychonauts 2 uses it.
Alan Wake Remastered uses it.
Fallout 4 uses it.
I am sure there are probably more, but those are the 3 games that come to mind that use AutoHDR for Series X|S "native" games.
Re: Fallout 4 Next-Gen 'Update 2' Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Visuals/60fps is the way to go!
Also glad AutoHDR has been re-enabled.
Re: Random: Phil Spencer Seems To Be Preparing His Own Nuke Launch In Fallout 76
War never changes.
Re: Two Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass In June 2024 So Far
Can't wait for Still Wakes the Deep!
Re: Talking Point: Is Sarah Bond Hinting At Eventually Moving Away From Xbox Hardware?
Here's what I see:
1 - Xbox consoles will be a total shift to PC architecture with a specialized "console UI" going forward - no more "closed" console. It will still be a defined hardware spec for PC developers to validate against, but won't require special console development kits or licenses. This will help with the "not worth porting to Xbox" problem as the PC versions will just work.
2 - Official Xbox 360 and OG Xbox emulators that can work on mobile, PC, and "console" for games that don't have PC versions (e.g. Blue Dragon).
3 - Figuring out how cloud saves for X360 and OG Xbox games can be converted or imported into applicable PC versions so that emulation isn't required for those games (probably pie in the sky ask there)
4 - Transferring entire digital library from across the generations to their PC versions (where applicable).
5 - Figuring out how to get OG Xbox, X360, X1, Series physical media working for PC versions of the games on their "console" with an external Blu-ray drive.
So basically, Xbox wants all the benefits people with PCs have had forever, but with the tricky part of figuring out how people won't lose progress with games that didn't use Xbox Anywhere (or came before it) or access to games they own that only exist on OG Xbox, X360, and X1.
Re: Former Microsoft Exec Gives 'Two Reasons' Why Xbox Closed Bethesda Teams
@Weebleman "Either way, I hope they find it. Sony needs a MS firing on all cylinders and vice versa. If one or the other drops out of the race the only folks that will suffer in the long run is us gamers."
Absolutely. I want a strong gaming market, not a lopsided one (no matter what side has the significant upper hand).
Re: Former Microsoft Exec Gives 'Two Reasons' Why Xbox Closed Bethesda Teams
"Expecting folks to drop a digital collection on a competitor, buy a new console and game just to play online for free simply won't be a choice most make. Some will, but if all their pals are on the console they own, chances are they won't."
I mean, the vast majority of console buyers are the casuals who are only playing COD, FIFA, Madden, Fortnite, etc., so platform is a non-issue - it's more of a habitual purchase. Only about 20% of console owners are the "core" audience. And even less of that are people who comment on these pages.
And with cross-platform play being the norm, now, it really doesn't matter if all their friends are on PlayStation and you are on Xbox - you can still play with them!
"They will simply pick up what's hot and their kids want."
Ditching online service fees could be that thing that makes Xbox "hot".
But this is all just playground banter anyways. Since we don't have any idea what strategy Microsoft has with everything going on, it's tough to even tell what would even help.
I do know that price hikes and studio closures isn't the answer.
Saving consumers ~$50/yr on average might be, though. Sure, Microsoft loses that ~$50/yr for those who already pay, but it might entice people to actually play online more, buy games with an online component, and/or buy MTX knowing that they don't have to pay for online anymore. Do away with Game Pass completely is less money out the door keeping Game Pass alive.
Imagine being able to buy a cheap Series S, pay $70 for the latest Call of Duty, and that's it! That could be a huge boost in sales - well, until Sony inevitably has to also do away with PS+ requirement to try to draw people back (if it can afford to do so).
Re: Former Microsoft Exec Gives 'Two Reasons' Why Xbox Closed Bethesda Teams
@EvenStephen7 I think it would be the right 180, though and long overdue. Besides, it only seems right that the one who started it should be the one who ends it!
I also think Cloud Saves should be free on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles because..let's face it...just about everywhere under the sun has Cloud Data at no cost.
@HonestHick It would be a start in the right direction in rebuilding good will with the community.
Re: Former Microsoft Exec Gives 'Two Reasons' Why Xbox Closed Bethesda Teams
As much as I have enjoyed the benefits of Game Pass, I can take it or leave it.
If Microsoft is realizing it can't grow Game Pass subscriptions and it can't afford to put all its first-party games on it as promised, then it's time to do away with it!
Price-hiking if Call of Duty drops on the service isn't the answer.
Most people who buy Call of Duty don't buy it for the campaign and move on (which is the real benefit to a Game Pass subscription), they buy it to play multiplayer for a whole year until the next one comes out.
It already costs less to buy the game outright (even with cost of Game Pass Core to play online) than to pay for a year of Game Puss Ultimate, so a price hike will do nothing more than make Game Pass Ultimate even less appealing to play Call of Duty.
Honestly, Microsoft would do best just to roll traditional Call of Duty multiplayer Modes/Maps into the Warzone and skip the annual COD releases.
Here is a bold idea. Do away with paid online all together!
How many people would move over to Xbox consoles and buy Xbox versions if they knew that they could play the latest Call of Duty WITHOUT the need for PS+ or Game Pass Core or any of that nonsense, but also don't need to buy an expensive and less-casual-friendly PC to get free online play?
Re: Tango Gameworks Had Hopes For Hi-Fi RUSH 2 Before Xbox Closure, Says Report
@BacklogBrad Since I hate Bethesda RPGs, I'd rather Microsoft do anything BUT those types of games.
Re: Report Claims Xbox Is Planning More Cuts Following Studio Closures
This is not what I expected with this merger. Some cuts due to redundancy with executives, accounting, etc., sure, but not cutting all this talent to focus on "tentpole" games.
I was hoping that by having a ton of studios with a wealth of IPs would mean some revitalization of forgotten games spread across those developers.
I thought it would mean that the "COD Factory" developers could perhaps work on passion projects for a change.
I hoped that things would be different under Microsoft as there was a time when developers were given a "longer leash" to work on projects.
Now, I worry about Ninja Theory if Hellblade II doesn't stick its landing.
I worry about Double Fine if their next game isn't well received (though I am sure if Microsoft closed that, Tim Schafer would just open another studio the next day and take his employees with him).
I worry that Perfect Dark will get canned because it's seeming to be too much of a hassle, now.
Is pressure on InXile with Clockwork Revolution?
Will Fable get canned?
It's just sad and I hope this reporting is wrong.
Re: Xbox Reportedly Considering Game Pass Price Hike To Accommodate Call Of Duty
I don't even know how to even respond to everything going on with Team Green right now.
If it really is an issue about profitability, it's time to kill the program and go back to the Games With Gold model but with better selection of games every month.
This won't keep people around.
Re: Latest Rumours Suggest Perfect Dark Reboot Isn't Going Smoothly At Xbox
I know game development isn't easy (believe me, I tried and hated it), but FPS genre has been around forever - heck, Microsoft even owns the developer that defined the genre as well that company that originally developed the Perfect Dark franchise - how "troubled" could development possible be when you have the best resources possible for this kind of game?!
I think the problem is that Microsoft lets people run with ideas to the point that it lets Scoop Creep settle in a little too much. I also think there isn't as much collaboration as there should be among Microsoft Studios.
I get that all the studios have their own games to work on, but they should be able to share technology, lessons learned, etc. to help other studios, at the very least.
Re: Xbox Exec Provides Reasoning Behind Bethesda Studio Closures
@Faruko That doesn't mean I think BGS is a good developer. The Creation Engine is hot garbage and the gameplay loop of their games is about as interesting as watching paint dry.
The problem with BGS is that their ambition outweighs good game design. What gameplay purpose does putting tens of thousands of potatoes in a cockpit serve when you have to have loading screens at every corner and your CPU is screaming for room to breath? It's immersive in that you can do these things at the expense of breaking immersion for the rest of the game!
Sure, it's great that you can grab and move and persist every little item in the game...but not if that means you have to save on animation cycles and talk to mannequins who can move their lips.
I guess my point is, BGS focuses on a lot of the wrong things that make games interesting in an effort to make the game "real".
Oh, cool, you can read every book in the game? I wish the writers had spent that much time on the actual Main Campaign to make it interesting rather than writing books that most players will probably ignore!
I'm not saying that those things aren't neat - it's definitely impressive - but it all comes at a significant cost to other more interesting things. BGS RPGs are the very definition of "too much" and I'd much rather see the IPs made by someone else who actually knows how to make fun games.
Tango made fun games - even if they weren't necessarily technically ambitious.
But, alas, as always, bean counting wins over fun.
Re: Reaction: Xbox's Push Towards 'Microsoft Gaming' Looks More Drastic Than We First Thought
@Ilyn Yeah, that's the rub. I was primarily a PC person for years and only played console games that didn't release on PC. I fully understand the "ease of use" issues they can have.
I stopped because I enjoyed the simplicity of a console. On PC, I'd be spending way too much time in the settings menu trying to maximize image quality to performance ratios and not enough time just enjoying the game.
But it seems like a lot of newer titles have the simpler settings than when I was gaming on PC where the "out of the box" settings will be just fine to get a good experience.
The only thing holding me back from going PC is that it's great as long as long as everything works, but a huge pain in the butt when things don't - something that really isn't an issue on consoles.
Sad to hear you were having Dead Space issues, though. I have that on my Steam library and never once had a problem using an Xbox controller connected via USB on my potato Surface Book 2.
One game I had issues with was Max Payne on Steam, but a community patch was just a download away to fix the sound problems I was having. Annoying, but thankfully fixable.
"if Xbox went the route of PC in the lounge how it would get access to the games."
I'd argue it would be the same way that the current Xbox works. In essence, an Xbox PC would act like a standard Xbox, but also acts as a sort of Launchbox experience for Steam, GOG, etc.
Now, Microsoft would certainly have to partner with Steam , GOG, Epic, etc. in order to be able to purchase/install games within the UI, but I could see a future where the Xbox UI looks almost identical as it does now, but adds new Tabs in the "All Games and Apps" section to include games available to you from other storefronts in their own Tabs (just like how EA Play has its own Tab).
The other thing is that Microsoft really needs to do is court more companies to release games on Microsoft Store. I am not sure the hesitation there unless it has something to do with the PC GDK being designed for Game Pass PC as most modern games that are on the PC Microsoft Store have been on Game Pass at one time or another.
Not all publishers plan/want to have a Game Pass release, so if there a requirement that a game needs to be subject to a Game Pass release in order to release on PC Microsoft Store and use GDK, that needs some re-thinking.
All I know is, the first company to give me a console-like way to access PC-versions of games (that isn't Steam Deck) will be the one to get my money going forward. PC has all the Microsoft Gaming games I would want to get as well as Sony titles that eventually get ported (and I don't really have FOMO, so I can wait). Plus emulation. Plus access to tons of classic gamers (even if playing those classic games isn't as straight-forward as Steam in Big Box Mode or a console).
Re: Reaction: Xbox's Push Towards 'Microsoft Gaming' Looks More Drastic Than We First Thought
@ParsnipHero Thatās another option that could prove cheaper for performance profile I am looking for.
I assume there are ways to get the computer to boot right into Big Picture Mode on Steam.
Iād probably still need to find like a cheap wireless keyboard/touchpad combo to handle more āpower userā situations, though.
Re: Reaction: Xbox's Push Towards 'Microsoft Gaming' Looks More Drastic Than We First Thought
I am strongly considering getting rid of both my PS5 and XSX (but keeping my Switch) and just getting an affordable gaming laptop - one that can play all the latest games with at least console settings.
For a laptop screen, 1080p/30fps at the absolute minimum would probably get me pretty far in gaming spaces.
Modern gaming is such a mess and with things like GOG selling older titles plus having the ability to use emulation, going back to PC is much more sensible than dealing with Sony or Microsoft consoles.
I donāt care about the plastic box, just the ability to play games and a gaming laptop could potentially save me money over buying multiple consoles.
Re: Xbox Studio Shutdowns Are A 'F***ing Gut Stab', Says Arkane Lyon Boss
Glad he has the courage to publicly say what he said. I hope there is no retaliation for it.
Re: Xbox Insider Update Aims To 'Improve' Sale Searching On The Microsoft Store
"We just closed great studios today, but here's how you can easily spend more money on our store, Insiders!"
Yeah, probably not the best day to report on anything seemingly positive about Xbox today - especially if it involves ways of giving more money.
The whole division should just go on a press release sabbatical for a couple of weeks.
Re: Xbox Exec Provides Reasoning Behind Bethesda Studio Closures
@dskatter I don't like Bethesda RPGs one bit.
They have a 20-hour forgettable story that is nothing more than a super-sized tutorial to their game world that has so many useless gameplay mechanics all for the sake of living in this world and generating your own fun for thousands of hours.
Re: Xbox Exec Provides Reasoning Behind Bethesda Studio Closures
"These changes are grounded in prioritizing high-impact titles and further investing in Bethesdaās portfolio of blockbuster games and beloved worlds which you have nurtured over many decades."
Then close down BGS. Honestly, I'll miss Tango Gameworks' output more than Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Starfield. Give development of those IPs to studios that know how to reel in development to make something more cohesive and focused.
Re: Xbox Is Shutting Four Studios, Including Arkane Austin And Tango Gameworks
"We are making these tough decisions to create capacity to increase investment in other parts of our portfolio and focus on our priority games."
Yeah, this is NOT the statement that makes it all better. You bought all these studios for their creative talent and various IP only to close some to focus a select few titles?!
Today is not a good day for Xbox at all.
Re: Starfield Is Getting A 60FPS Performance Mode On Xbox Series X
@HonestHick I did have an LG OLED for a day (and it was glorious for the 20 minutes of gaming I did on it just to check it out)...but, it was...uhm...vetoed...when I revealed the price and I had to return it.
Re: Starfield Is Getting A 60FPS Performance Mode On Xbox Series X
@Nalverus It does support Freesync.
The problem is these 40fps modes require that 120Hz mode is an option on the Xbox (and PS5)...which it is not.
But VRR has been fantastic for games that don't hold their 60fps targets (especially Elden Ring).
Re: Starfield Is Getting A 60FPS Performance Mode On Xbox Series X
It sucks that I have a TV that does do VRR, but is only a 60Hz display. It can do 40 in VRR....
I guess that's what I get for saving money by getting a Vizio rather than an LG OLED or something. The color quality on my Vizio is really good, though since it's a QLED.
Re: Xbox Games Showcase 2024 Confirmed For June, First Details Revealed
Seeing as how the codename for 2024 Call of Duty is "Cerberus" (according to a data breach from December 2022) and there is a Cerberus logo in this teaser...you are probably on the nose with it being Call of Duty.
Re: Alan Wake 2 Still Hasn't Made Profit Despite Huge Critical Success
Having as an Epic Games Store exclusive probably didn't help, either - PC gamers don't like it. I bet it would get a big boost if it dropped on Steam and GOG.
Re: Max Payne 1+2 Remake About To Enter Full Production At Remedy
I need this in my soul!
Re: Bethesda Has Adjusted The Patch Notes For Fallout 4 On Xbox Series X
Does anyone have an quality control anymore?
I'll go ahead and trust that Bethesda did in fact make the Xbox Series X version the best way to play by allowing Quality Mode to be 4K/60/Ultra and Performance Mode to be 4K/60/Standard.
Why were the patch notes even put out that way to cause both confusion for players as well create doubt that Bethesda is even telling the truth here?!
Someone had to look at those notes and say "Yup, seems right to me!" when, in fact, the patch notes weren't descriptive enough to single out the Series X version.
Re: Talking Point: Are You Excited For Remedy's Max Payne 1+2 Remake?
@The_Gamers_Grotto This is the way