I'm definitely keen to see how this looks if it's going back to the Cold War, even if I've always found Treyarch's games to be highly overrated - Black Ops is nowhere near the best COD.
I'm all about the single player when it comes to COD, so Modern Warfare gets my vote. It's not quite the return to Infinity Ward's heyday - the script's more than a little clunky, memorable set pieces aren't as abundant or spectacular as MW1 and 2, and the pacing falters at times - but this is by far the best COD campaign of the generation, excluding the remasters, of course.
At this point I think it would do more damage to scrap it than to keep it. If making it cross-gen is putting too much stress on 343, then perhaps consider pulling the plug.
The other option (and I think it's too late by now) would be to get another team to work on a bespoke Xbox One version while 343 focussed solely on the next-gen version, similar to how Titanfall and Rise Of The Tomb Raider were developed for their 360 counterparts.
@Kopite I'd say Joker was the main villain in City and Origins - he was pulling the strings behind the scenes. You could even argue he was a bigger threat to Batman in Knight than Scarecrow was. I agree somebody else should take the spotlight, but Joker is too iconic to not be in it.
Absolutely picking one up at launch. I'm fortunate enough to be able to get both Series X and PS5, and while I have concerns regarding both, I've never been able to resist a new console.
A "new and fantastical world" is exactly what I want from a new BioShock. Rapture will always have a special place in my heart, but I think adopting Far Cry's approach in having a new setting for every game is the way forward for the series.
@KelticDevil I started replaying the Arkham games earlier in the year (haven't got round to revisiting Knight yet, though) and I thought Origins was much better than I remember, to the point I actually enjoyed replaying it more than Asylum and City. Rocksteady's games are definitely superior, hands down, but, if you have access to Origins, I'd recommend giving it another go. You might come away as pleasantly surprised as I did.
It's a shame this will forever be a blotch on Slightly Mad's otherwise impressive track record.
Not that I think Fast & Furious was crying out for a tie-in, but games like Batman: Arkham Asylum, Alien: Isolation and Spider-Man prove that licensed games can be good if given to the right team with a decent budget and enough time in development to experiment with tech and ideas (Arkham Asylum was in development for 4 years I believe). Slightly Mad are a great racing developer - although perhaps not the obvious choice for F&F - so I suspect they had a low budget and tight deadline to work to.
In a way, I am curious to check this out just to see how bad it really is. Maybe when it becomes super cheap, I'll consider it.
I think it's fair to say Microsoft have set a precedent for this over the years, albeit not always with major third party games. All Sony have done is do what always happens between competitors: raise the stakes and go one better.
Now, for me, there are two key questions to take away from this. The first is what games have Sony managed to acquire as a timed exclusive, and the second is how will Microsoft respond? The latter is definitely the most thought-provoking.
Will they do the same and bag a major third party game as a timed exclusive for themselves? To some it may go against their pro-consumer strategy, but at this point I think it's a necessary evil. Sony have already got Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo bolstering their portfolio, and they've evidently got more up their sleeve going by this. This isn't the time for Microsoft to play fair anymore.
The other option (and I think this would be better in the long run) is to acquire another big studio. Rocksteady, IO Interactive, Bungie, CD Project Red (wishful thinking, I know)? Bringing one of these or any other major developer you care to mention under the Xbox Game Studios banner would be a major win for Microsoft. That Warner Bros deal is looking too good to pass up at this point.
Either way, it's going to be an interesting launch to next-gen. I for one can't wait.
Just to add some balance here (and I know I'm going to get roasted, so here goes), but Amos does have a point in that the game, I assume, will be feature complete without the addition of Spider-Man. Spidey is only going to play a small part in the grand scheme of things at a later date, and surely anyone looking forward to an Avengers game is just as keen to get to grips with any number of other characters.
I concur Spider-Man is one of the most popular characters in the world, and it is a genuine shame not everyone is going to get to play as him. But, at the same time, PlayStation do have the rights to the character - hence the existence of Insomniac's Spider-Man game on PS4 (and I wouldn't be surprised if it is this incarnation of Spider-Man featured in Avengers) - and so they have every right to lock that character down for their audience.
Basically, it's a business decision, and in business someone gets the short straw. I don't necessarily agree with exclusive deals like this, but it is a fair and valid business practise and strategy in which both Microsoft and Sony partake in.
At the end of the day, it's just a business decision. Both Microsoft and Sony are as guilty as each other here as both have been doing it for years - just think back to the 360 era (albeit most were timed exclusives). The market leader is always going to cut more deals like this to help bolster and assert their position even further.
Microsoft should fight fire with fire, I say. Get more exclusive content, more exclusive betas and the like, and if they really want to make waves, get a much sought-after third party exclusive like a new Dino Crisis or a new Splinter Cell (and help fund it to avoid another Rise Of The Tomb Raider controversy and keep it as an exclusive). Let Sony know two can play this game.
Is it going to be the same Spider-Man from Insomniac's PS4 game? If it is, then I think it's fair play to be honest. Spidey is tangled up with Sony and PlayStation anyway (pun intended), and I think boycotting the game over a character who in all likelihood isn't gong to have much of a presence beyond a small DLC pack is a bit of an overreaction. If you've been looking forward to the game thus far, with no Spider-Man anyway, why should it change now?
We need to see how substantial the content is going to be - let alone how the main game turns out - before making such a decision.
I'm glad to see Binary Domain is getting some love - I thought I was the only person in the world who played it. A cross between Gears Of War and Mass Effect, with robotic enemies which satisfyingly tear and shred to pieces under fire, it's far more competent and engaging than it's rather generic appearance (and godawful title) let on. For those with the means to play it, you should check it out.
Other games I'd like to see made backwards compatible are:
Batman: Arkham Asylum/City (not overly keen on the remasters)
Blur
The Chronicles Of Riddick: Assault On Dark Athena
The F.E.A.R. series
Max Payne 3
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit/Most Wanted (Criterion)
PGR 3/4
Surely the point to take away from this is that 343 are working to improve Infinite's graphics. As for how much they can improve before launch remains to be seen, but I think people should draw a line under the subject until we see it next.
As for the art style, whether you like it or not, I've always been a believer in respecting the creative decisions of the creatives. I'm glad 343 are sticking to their guns on this one.
Few could deny the visuals aren't blowing everyone away, but now I think the only way 343 could tempt the haters back is by showing a demo featuring a large scale battle in a different environment on the ring, filled with numerous NPCs and vehicles clashing on the battlefield, and demonstrating they "get" Halo (assuming such battles are in the game, of course)?
Revealing a bit more about the story might ease things a little, too. But then that always comes with the risk of a backlash, so...
@Jaxx420 I don't think the problem necessarily lies with the existing fans, but potential new ones. Even as a casual Halo fan, I don't really have a problem with the way Infinite looked. But, even at 4K/60, it was hardly the graphical showcase the Series X needed, and given the (admittedly disproportionate) furore surrounding it I fear it has somewhat undermined both the game's and console's prospects in the eyes of potential new customers. In the run-up to next-gen, spangly graphics will win over the masses.
Definitely Fable for me. The prospect of Playground Games - even if it is their unproven second studio - bringing back such a beloved IP is too exciting. If they can do to fantasy RPGs what they did to open world racers, they've got another sure-fire hit on their hands.
Looks like your bog standard, melodramatic military FPS to me. However, with Remedy's involvement, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. I'll keep an eye on this one.
Halo 3 wasn't exactly a graphical showcase back in 2007 (especially coming after Gears Of War) and it turned out pretty well in the end. Yes, Infinite may not be visually stunning - although I personally think it looks nice, all told - but we don't know yet what's happening behind the scenes, how the extra power might be used elsewhere on top of rendering a much larger world. The fact is we've only seen a very small chunk of game, so I would wait until we have more to go on before reaching for the pitchforks.
It's definitely recapturing the feel of earlier games in it's openness, but I felt it was a rather subdued demo. It could have done with a bit of pizazz to finish with.
@Grumblevolcano I don't think Infinite is going completely open world, more a hubs-and-spokes style structure. Halo was built on huge open levels with big epic battles - something the series has slightly moved away from under 343's stewardship - and I'd imagine Infinite will be a series of mini hubs rather than one big map to recapture the essence of earlier games. I might be wrong, but that's how it looked to me.
A solid C from me - I was neither blown away nor overly disappointed, about on par with Sony's PS5 event. There were some big reveals (Stalker 2 was quite the surprise), and Game Pass gets ever more appealing, but there were too many CG trailers and not enough gameplay footage for my liking. If the game's not ready to be shown I'd rather they didn't announce it yet. Given the likes of Fable and Avowed don't appear to be coming to Xbox One, does that mean they're at least two years away?
It's a little annoying we still don't have an idea as to what to expect at launch, at least in terms of brand new games from Microsoft. With fourth months to go, neither Sony or Microsoft can really provide any persuasive reasons to upgrade beyond your current games (or games very much like your current games) looking a bit better and running a little smoother.
It definitely evokes the original's cover, and that's no doubt deliberate. I do think the previous art, with the Chief surveying the landscape with his back to you, seemed more moody.
I generally only have one game on the go at any one time, so storage shouldn't be a problem for me. Hopefully these cards won't be too expensive for those who do need the extra space, but I'd imagine this is how Microsoft intend to recoup some of the costs from selling the Series X at a reasonably cheap price.
Assuming the Series X is sold at a reasonably cheap price, that is...
@BlueOcean I don't necessarily mean Microsoft should give specific release dates, especially considering the current climate, but it would be beneficial to give gamers a rough outline of what to expect and when. More clarity compared to Sony might show them in a better light.
@KelticDevil I don't think the concern with Microsoft's cross-gen strategy is with how games will scale graphically, but how some games, particularly systems-driven ones, which rely on CPU power might struggle to reach their full potential, especially when you consider the Xbox One's aging Jaguar cores. Could Halo Infinite, for example, have even larger scale battles with more AI and more vehicles on-screen if it was next-gen only? Granted, at this time we haven't seen the game in action, but it is still worth wondering what could be. Digital Foundry discussed the pros and cons of cross-gen earlier in the year. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-can-microsoft-deliver-next-gen-experiences-while-still-supporting-xbox-one
For the record, I think it's really good on Microsoft's part to continue supporting Xbox One for those who, for whatever reason, won't be upgrading straight away. But at the same time it is a slight slap in the face to those who are putting down the cash for a new console and want games to be built from the ground up with the extra power in mind. Plus, from a business standpoint, next-gen only games will help drive console sales. How many more Series X consoles would Microsoft sell if Halo Infinite was next-gen only? Then again, how many more copies of Halo will sell by being cross-gen? We'll never know.
My take? The best option would be to find a middle ground between Microsoft's and Sony's strategy by having some games release cross-gen and some next-gen only.
I can see this happening. I can also see Forza adopting the service model too, with new tracks and cars added every year, and new Horizon festivals every other.
@Jaxx420 True, but whether Microsoft can maintain that momentum remains to be seen.
I really think they need to set out a roadmap for the next year to us on Thursday (and perhaps tease a few things beyond) not only to sate those who already know they'll be buying a Series X but also to disprove the notion Xbox has no games. For instance, announce Halo, Forza and Hellblade will be available at launch, followed by Fable in the Spring, a big new IP in the Summer, and Perfect Dark will be rounding the year off as their big Christmas game.
Meanwhile, they should also reveal some of their post-launch support plans for games such as Halo, which I'd imagine will follow Halo 5's lead and provide free multiplayer content. But how about the series' first ever single player DLC next year, not only to celebrate 20 years of Halo, but also 20 years of Xbox.
It's the Xbox's 20th anniversary next year, so it's the perfect time for Microsoft to really show what they've got and not hold back. Strongest launch slate or not, the real test comes after.
@WILLBACRIMP An Enslaved sequel would be very welcome. I'd say Ninja Theory are basically Microsoft's equivalent to Naughty Dog, and Enslaved could be their answer to Uncharted/The Last Of Us.
As much as I'm looking forward to a potential new Fable and Perfect Dark, I really want to see some big and bold new IPs which are dripping with money.
A great launch line-up is a key factor, but I think the promise of what's coming after is even more important. Does anyone buy a console purely on what's available at launch?
Microsoft are entering the next-gen on the back foot, and I think it's critical - more so than Sony - that they are totally transparent as to what the first year on Series X holds in store. They need to say what's coming and when it's due in order to get as many people onboard as early as possible.
As a multiformat gamer, I totally agree with him. I've always said great games are great games regardless of platform, and anyone too narrow minded to see sense are missing out.
Sure, there's always got to be an element of competition in business, but that's good for both sides and, ultimately, the end consumer.
It's good Microsoft are still committed, but I honestly think it's a lost cause by this point. Even getting Sakaguchi onboard didn't really do anything for them back on the 360, and Xbox's popularity has decreased further in Japan since then.
Still, I'm happy to be proven wrong, and if anyone can do it, it's Phil Spencer.
@BlueOcean @Jaxx420 I don't believe it's the Horizon team making Fable, but a brand new second studio of Playground's which has been up and running for a couple of years now.
This is a good move, but it's not going to stop review bombing.
Part of me thinks it's best to simply not allow user reviews, but that would be a great disservice to everyone who can present a well constructed review, whose writing isn't full of spelling and grammatical errors, and who don't always score in extremes of 0 or 10.
It's true everyone's opinion is valid, but not all of their arguments are.
@BlueOcean Arkham City is great, but Knight is the real challenger to Spider-Man's traversal. There are so many refinements and improvements that elevate it beyond what came before. Both are neck and neck when it comes to world navigation.
All the Arkham games are highly recommended by the way.
@Tharsman Ubisoft's games may very well have those unique elements, but, certainly the way I see it, their games are defined by their structures, whereas other open worlds (but by no means all) are more defined by what's within them and the methods of interaction.
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Re: Here's A Look At The Key Art For Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
I'm definitely keen to see how this looks if it's going back to the Cold War, even if I've always found Treyarch's games to be highly overrated - Black Ops is nowhere near the best COD.
Re: Pick One: Which Of These Call Of Duty Games Is Your Favourite?
@FraserG I believe WWII and Black Ops 4 came out 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Re: Pick One: Which Of These Call Of Duty Games Is Your Favourite?
I'm all about the single player when it comes to COD, so Modern Warfare gets my vote. It's not quite the return to Infinity Ward's heyday - the script's more than a little clunky, memorable set pieces aren't as abundant or spectacular as MW1 and 2, and the pacing falters at times - but this is by far the best COD campaign of the generation, excluding the remasters, of course.
Re: Talking Point: Should The Xbox One Version Of Halo Infinite Be Scrapped?
At this point I think it would do more damage to scrap it than to keep it. If making it cross-gen is putting too much stress on 343, then perhaps consider pulling the plug.
The other option (and I think it's too late by now) would be to get another team to work on a bespoke Xbox One version while 343 focussed solely on the next-gen version, similar to how Titanfall and Rise Of The Tomb Raider were developed for their 360 counterparts.
Re: WB Montreal Will Reveal Its New Game At DC FanDome
@Kopite I'd say Joker was the main villain in City and Origins - he was pulling the strings behind the scenes. You could even argue he was a bigger threat to Batman in Knight than Scarecrow was. I agree somebody else should take the spotlight, but Joker is too iconic to not be in it.
Re: Xbox Boss: Our Approach Isn't About Selling More Consoles Than PS5
It would be ironic if Series X ended up selling more than PS5.
Microsoft have been moving from strength to strength, so they just need to continue with what they're currently doing.
Re: The Standard Version Of Control Won't Get A Free Next-Gen Upgrade
Cheeky, but companies have got to make money somehow I suppose.
Hopefully standard edition owners can get some sort of discount?
Re: Poll: Will You Be Picking Up An Xbox Series X This November?
Absolutely picking one up at launch. I'm fortunate enough to be able to get both Series X and PS5, and while I have concerns regarding both, I've never been able to resist a new console.
Re: The Next BioShock Will Seemingly Be Set In A 'New, Fantastical World'
A "new and fantastical world" is exactly what I want from a new BioShock. Rapture will always have a special place in my heart, but I think adopting Far Cry's approach in having a new setting for every game is the way forward for the series.
Re: Rumour: New Batman, Injustice Games To Be Revealed At DC FanDome
@KelticDevil I started replaying the Arkham games earlier in the year (haven't got round to revisiting Knight yet, though) and I thought Origins was much better than I remember, to the point I actually enjoyed replaying it more than Asylum and City. Rocksteady's games are definitely superior, hands down, but, if you have access to Origins, I'd recommend giving it another go. You might come away as pleasantly surprised as I did.
Re: Halo Infinite Has Been Delayed Until 2021
Ouch! Let's hope Microsoft have anther big hitter up their sleeve for launch.
Re: Fast & Furious Crossroads Heavily Criticised In Initial Reviews
It's a shame this will forever be a blotch on Slightly Mad's otherwise impressive track record.
Not that I think Fast & Furious was crying out for a tie-in, but games like Batman: Arkham Asylum, Alien: Isolation and Spider-Man prove that licensed games can be good if given to the right team with a decent budget and enough time in development to experiment with tech and ideas (Arkham Asylum was in development for 4 years I believe). Slightly Mad are a great racing developer - although perhaps not the obvious choice for F&F - so I suspect they had a low budget and tight deadline to work to.
In a way, I am curious to check this out just to see how bad it really is. Maybe when it becomes super cheap, I'll consider it.
Re: Rumour: New Batman, Injustice Games To Be Revealed At DC FanDome
Looking forward to seeing what WB Montreal have been working on - Arkham Origins was criminally underrated.
Re: Rocksteady Will Unveil Its New Suicide Squad Game This Month
If it's made by Rocksteady, I'm in.
Re: Sony Is Reportedly 'Moneyhatting' Some Huge Timed Exclusives
I think it's fair to say Microsoft have set a precedent for this over the years, albeit not always with major third party games. All Sony have done is do what always happens between competitors: raise the stakes and go one better.
Now, for me, there are two key questions to take away from this. The first is what games have Sony managed to acquire as a timed exclusive, and the second is how will Microsoft respond? The latter is definitely the most thought-provoking.
Will they do the same and bag a major third party game as a timed exclusive for themselves? To some it may go against their pro-consumer strategy, but at this point I think it's a necessary evil. Sony have already got Deathloop and GhostWire: Tokyo bolstering their portfolio, and they've evidently got more up their sleeve going by this. This isn't the time for Microsoft to play fair anymore.
The other option (and I think this would be better in the long run) is to acquire another big studio. Rocksteady, IO Interactive, Bungie, CD Project Red (wishful thinking, I know)? Bringing one of these or any other major developer you care to mention under the Xbox Game Studios banner would be a major win for Microsoft. That Warner Bros deal is looking too good to pass up at this point.
Either way, it's going to be an interesting launch to next-gen. I for one can't wait.
Re: Marvel's Avengers Dev Responds To Xbox Players Amid Spider-Man Controversy
Just to add some balance here (and I know I'm going to get roasted, so here goes), but Amos does have a point in that the game, I assume, will be feature complete without the addition of Spider-Man. Spidey is only going to play a small part in the grand scheme of things at a later date, and surely anyone looking forward to an Avengers game is just as keen to get to grips with any number of other characters.
I concur Spider-Man is one of the most popular characters in the world, and it is a genuine shame not everyone is going to get to play as him. But, at the same time, PlayStation do have the rights to the character - hence the existence of Insomniac's Spider-Man game on PS4 (and I wouldn't be surprised if it is this incarnation of Spider-Man featured in Avengers) - and so they have every right to lock that character down for their audience.
Basically, it's a business decision, and in business someone gets the short straw. I don't necessarily agree with exclusive deals like this, but it is a fair and valid business practise and strategy in which both Microsoft and Sony partake in.
Re: Obsidian Is Working On A Project That Isn't Grounded Or Avowed
Another spy-based RPG like Alpha Protocol would be nice.
Re: Upset About PlayStation Exclusive Content? Prepare For More, Says Industry Insider
At the end of the day, it's just a business decision. Both Microsoft and Sony are as guilty as each other here as both have been doing it for years - just think back to the 360 era (albeit most were timed exclusives). The market leader is always going to cut more deals like this to help bolster and assert their position even further.
Microsoft should fight fire with fire, I say. Get more exclusive content, more exclusive betas and the like, and if they really want to make waves, get a much sought-after third party exclusive like a new Dino Crisis or a new Splinter Cell (and help fund it to avoid another Rise Of The Tomb Raider controversy and keep it as an exclusive). Let Sony know two can play this game.
Re: Some Xbox Fans Want To Boycott Marvel's Avengers Over Sony Deal
Is it going to be the same Spider-Man from Insomniac's PS4 game? If it is, then I think it's fair play to be honest. Spidey is tangled up with Sony and PlayStation anyway (pun intended), and I think boycotting the game over a character who in all likelihood isn't gong to have much of a presence beyond a small DLC pack is a bit of an overreaction. If you've been looking forward to the game thus far, with no Spider-Man anyway, why should it change now?
We need to see how substantial the content is going to be - let alone how the main game turns out - before making such a decision.
Re: Talking Point: What Games Do You Want Added To Xbox Backwards Compatibility?
I'm glad to see Binary Domain is getting some love - I thought I was the only person in the world who played it. A cross between Gears Of War and Mass Effect, with robotic enemies which satisfyingly tear and shred to pieces under fire, it's far more competent and engaging than it's rather generic appearance (and godawful title) let on. For those with the means to play it, you should check it out.
Other games I'd like to see made backwards compatible are:
Batman: Arkham Asylum/City (not overly keen on the remasters)
Blur
The Chronicles Of Riddick: Assault On Dark Athena
The F.E.A.R. series
Max Payne 3
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit/Most Wanted (Criterion)
PGR 3/4
Re: Halo Infinite's Multiplayer Will Be Free-To-Play, According To Retailer
This makes sense. Free-To-Play has been the future of multiplayer gaming for some time now, and Halo is going to make the jump sooner or later.
I recall there being a F2P Halo exclusively for Russia of all places some time ago.
Re: 343 Provides Official Statement On Halo Infinite Graphics Concerns
Surely the point to take away from this is that 343 are working to improve Infinite's graphics. As for how much they can improve before launch remains to be seen, but I think people should draw a line under the subject until we see it next.
As for the art style, whether you like it or not, I've always been a believer in respecting the creative decisions of the creatives. I'm glad 343 are sticking to their guns on this one.
Re: Microsoft Possibly Hints The Initiative Is Working On Multiple Games
Perfect Dark seems a given at this point. I suspect and hope the other project, if indeed there is one, is a brand new IP.
Re: Phil Spencer: We'll Talk More About Backwards Compatibility In August
I'd definitely like to see some more X Enhanced 360 games, but simply bringing more titles to the program will suffice.
Re: Halo Infinite Dev: Negative Feedback Isn't Falling On Deaf Ears
Few could deny the visuals aren't blowing everyone away, but now I think the only way 343 could tempt the haters back is by showing a demo featuring a large scale battle in a different environment on the ring, filled with numerous NPCs and vehicles clashing on the battlefield, and demonstrating they "get" Halo (assuming such battles are in the game, of course)?
Revealing a bit more about the story might ease things a little, too. But then that always comes with the risk of a backlash, so...
Re: Halo Infinite Dev Addresses Criticism Of The Game's Graphics
@Jaxx420 I don't think the problem necessarily lies with the existing fans, but potential new ones. Even as a casual Halo fan, I don't really have a problem with the way Infinite looked. But, even at 4K/60, it was hardly the graphical showcase the Series X needed, and given the (admittedly disproportionate) furore surrounding it I fear it has somewhat undermined both the game's and console's prospects in the eyes of potential new customers. In the run-up to next-gen, spangly graphics will win over the masses.
Re: Pick One: Which Of These Xbox Series X Games Are You Most Excited For?
Definitely Fable for me. The prospect of Playground Games - even if it is their unproven second studio - bringing back such a beloved IP is too exciting. If they can do to fantasy RPGs what they did to open world racers, they've got another sure-fire hit on their hands.
Re: Forza Horizon 4, Sea Of Thieves Are Being Optimised For Xbox Series X
Can Playground do the same with Forza Horizon 3 while they're at it?
Re: Video: Take A Look At Remedy's CrossfireX Campaign
Looks like your bog standard, melodramatic military FPS to me. However, with Remedy's involvement, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. I'll keep an eye on this one.
Re: Microsoft Responds To Negative Feedback For Halo Infinite's Visuals
Halo 3 wasn't exactly a graphical showcase back in 2007 (especially coming after Gears Of War) and it turned out pretty well in the end. Yes, Infinite may not be visually stunning - although I personally think it looks nice, all told - but we don't know yet what's happening behind the scenes, how the extra power might be used elsewhere on top of rendering a much larger world. The fact is we've only seen a very small chunk of game, so I would wait until we have more to go on before reaching for the pitchforks.
Re: Here It Is, The World Premiere Gameplay Of Halo Infinite
It's definitely recapturing the feel of earlier games in it's openness, but I felt it was a rather subdued demo. It could have done with a bit of pizazz to finish with.
Re: Poll: How Would You Grade July's Xbox Games Showcase?
@Grumblevolcano I don't think Infinite is going completely open world, more a hubs-and-spokes style structure. Halo was built on huge open levels with big epic battles - something the series has slightly moved away from under 343's stewardship - and I'd imagine Infinite will be a series of mini hubs rather than one big map to recapture the essence of earlier games. I might be wrong, but that's how it looked to me.
Re: Poll: How Would You Grade July's Xbox Games Showcase?
A solid C from me - I was neither blown away nor overly disappointed, about on par with Sony's PS5 event. There were some big reveals (Stalker 2 was quite the surprise), and Game Pass gets ever more appealing, but there were too many CG trailers and not enough gameplay footage for my liking. If the game's not ready to be shown I'd rather they didn't announce it yet. Given the likes of Fable and Avowed don't appear to be coming to Xbox One, does that mean they're at least two years away?
It's a little annoying we still don't have an idea as to what to expect at launch, at least in terms of brand new games from Microsoft. With fourth months to go, neither Sony or Microsoft can really provide any persuasive reasons to upgrade beyond your current games (or games very much like your current games) looking a bit better and running a little smoother.
Re: Here's The Official Box Art For Halo Infinite
It definitely evokes the original's cover, and that's no doubt deliberate. I do think the previous art, with the Chief surveying the landscape with his back to you, seemed more moody.
Re: Dev Suggests Xbox 'Cares More About 120FPS Than Sony Does'
Does it really matter if one's 4K/60 and the other 4K/120? In the console space neither are anything to scoff at.
Re: Poll: What Are Your Plans For Tomorrow's Xbox Games Showcase?
Fortuitously, I'm off work this week, so hopefully I can catch it live, or at least part of it.
Re: Seagate's Xbox Series X Storage Expansion Card Web Page Goes Live
I generally only have one game on the go at any one time, so storage shouldn't be a problem for me. Hopefully these cards won't be too expensive for those who do need the extra space, but I'd imagine this is how Microsoft intend to recoup some of the costs from selling the Series X at a reasonably cheap price.
Assuming the Series X is sold at a reasonably cheap price, that is...
Re: Phil Spencer: Xbox In Best Launch Lineup Position Ever With Series X
@BlueOcean I don't necessarily mean Microsoft should give specific release dates, especially considering the current climate, but it would be beneficial to give gamers a rough outline of what to expect and when. More clarity compared to Sony might show them in a better light.
Re: Phil Spencer: Xbox In Best Launch Lineup Position Ever With Series X
@KelticDevil I don't think the concern with Microsoft's cross-gen strategy is with how games will scale graphically, but how some games, particularly systems-driven ones, which rely on CPU power might struggle to reach their full potential, especially when you consider the Xbox One's aging Jaguar cores. Could Halo Infinite, for example, have even larger scale battles with more AI and more vehicles on-screen if it was next-gen only? Granted, at this time we haven't seen the game in action, but it is still worth wondering what could be. Digital Foundry discussed the pros and cons of cross-gen earlier in the year. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2020-can-microsoft-deliver-next-gen-experiences-while-still-supporting-xbox-one
For the record, I think it's really good on Microsoft's part to continue supporting Xbox One for those who, for whatever reason, won't be upgrading straight away. But at the same time it is a slight slap in the face to those who are putting down the cash for a new console and want games to be built from the ground up with the extra power in mind. Plus, from a business standpoint, next-gen only games will help drive console sales. How many more Series X consoles would Microsoft sell if Halo Infinite was next-gen only? Then again, how many more copies of Halo will sell by being cross-gen? We'll never know.
My take? The best option would be to find a middle ground between Microsoft's and Sony's strategy by having some games release cross-gen and some next-gen only.
Re: Rumour: Halo Infinite's Multiplayer Could Be Free-To-Play
I can see this happening. I can also see Forza adopting the service model too, with new tracks and cars added every year, and new Horizon festivals every other.
Re: Phil Spencer: Xbox In Best Launch Lineup Position Ever With Series X
@Jaxx420 True, but whether Microsoft can maintain that momentum remains to be seen.
I really think they need to set out a roadmap for the next year to us on Thursday (and perhaps tease a few things beyond) not only to sate those who already know they'll be buying a Series X but also to disprove the notion Xbox has no games. For instance, announce Halo, Forza and Hellblade will be available at launch, followed by Fable in the Spring, a big new IP in the Summer, and Perfect Dark will be rounding the year off as their big Christmas game.
Meanwhile, they should also reveal some of their post-launch support plans for games such as Halo, which I'd imagine will follow Halo 5's lead and provide free multiplayer content. But how about the series' first ever single player DLC next year, not only to celebrate 20 years of Halo, but also 20 years of Xbox.
It's the Xbox's 20th anniversary next year, so it's the perfect time for Microsoft to really show what they've got and not hold back. Strongest launch slate or not, the real test comes after.
Re: Talking Point: Give Us Your Wildest Hopes For This Week's Xbox Showcase
@WILLBACRIMP An Enslaved sequel would be very welcome. I'd say Ninja Theory are basically Microsoft's equivalent to Naughty Dog, and Enslaved could be their answer to Uncharted/The Last Of Us.
As much as I'm looking forward to a potential new Fable and Perfect Dark, I really want to see some big and bold new IPs which are dripping with money.
Re: Phil Spencer: Xbox In Best Launch Lineup Position Ever With Series X
A great launch line-up is a key factor, but I think the promise of what's coming after is even more important. Does anyone buy a console purely on what's available at launch?
Microsoft are entering the next-gen on the back foot, and I think it's critical - more so than Sony - that they are totally transparent as to what the first year on Series X holds in store. They need to say what's coming and when it's due in order to get as many people onboard as early as possible.
Re: Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit For Xbox One Appears In Online Listing
This is easily the best NFS and Criterion's best game. 4K60 would be nice if this is indeed true.
Re: Xbox Boss: Aggressive Console War Talk Is Holding The Industry Back
As a multiformat gamer, I totally agree with him. I've always said great games are great games regardless of platform, and anyone too narrow minded to see sense are missing out.
Sure, there's always got to be an element of competition in business, but that's good for both sides and, ultimately, the end consumer.
Re: Phil Spencer: We Want Xbox To Be A Great Platform For Japanese Games
It's good Microsoft are still committed, but I honestly think it's a lost cause by this point. Even getting Sakaguchi onboard didn't really do anything for them back on the 360, and Xbox's popularity has decreased further in Japan since then.
Still, I'm happy to be proven wrong, and if anyone can do it, it's Phil Spencer.
Re: Industry Insider Confident A New Fable Game Is Being Made
@BlueOcean @Jaxx420 I don't believe it's the Horizon team making Fable, but a brand new second studio of Playground's which has been up and running for a couple of years now.
Re: Metacritic To Make Gamers Wait Before Posting User Reviews
This is a good move, but it's not going to stop review bombing.
Part of me thinks it's best to simply not allow user reviews, but that would be a great disservice to everyone who can present a well constructed review, whose writing isn't full of spelling and grammatical errors, and who don't always score in extremes of 0 or 10.
It's true everyone's opinion is valid, but not all of their arguments are.
Re: Roundup: Here's Everything That Was Revealed During Ubisoft Forward
@BlueOcean Arkham City is great, but Knight is the real challenger to Spider-Man's traversal. There are so many refinements and improvements that elevate it beyond what came before. Both are neck and neck when it comes to world navigation.
All the Arkham games are highly recommended by the way.
Re: Roundup: Here's Everything That Was Revealed During Ubisoft Forward
@Tharsman Ubisoft's games may very well have those unique elements, but, certainly the way I see it, their games are defined by their structures, whereas other open worlds (but by no means all) are more defined by what's within them and the methods of interaction.