@CharlieChooChoo The lending I can see them having a problem with because, as you mentioned, they would lose money. The trade in thing would technically make them lose money but I think would be a massive win for them PR wise. If you could trade your digital games on Xbox and no other platform holder allowed it, it would be a massive PR win.
Unfortunately, I think the Steam model is the way everything will go. Buy a game. Never own it. F**k off if you don't like it or have completed it because we already have your money.
I've been saying for years that each platform holder should create a digital trade in store. Imagine being able to trade in digital purchases once you've finished a game and get credit towards your next purchase.
@CharlieChooChoo Activision and Blizzard both have a very long history of making games for Microsoft Windows. Far longer than they ever had making games for PlayStation.
I have a PS5 and the DualSense is overrated in my opinion. I find the resistive triggers annoying and crunchy and the haptics a bit of a novelty that doesn't really get used very well. Plus the sharp edges on the prongs just aren't very comfortable for long play sessions. And of course, the left stick is positioned incorrectly. 😂
@Kaloudz I'm glad to see the Dreamcast controller mentioned. That was the pinnacle of comfort for me too. I'd put the Switch pro controller as 2nd though, very closely followed by the current Xbox controller.
@Kaloudz I absolutely agree. I've worked in HR/recruitment for over 15 years at some major global brands and I've had to deliver these kind of layoffs to employees.
It's never easy but, at well run businesses, a natural occurrence. The timing won't help the perception of what Microsoft is doing is the point I was trying to make.
@JayJ The only times I've found gyro controls to be a massive improvement have been with the Splatoon games on Wii U and Switch. Nintendo really nailed it in those games to the point where I'd struggle to play without them.
@rustyduck The day that mainstream gaming becomes streaming only is the day that I check out. I'll happily play my giant backlog of retro games that require no internet/downloads.
I actually really liked the show. It was a good mix of gameplay and dev insight. And there's so much more to come from Xbox Studios that I think they'll absolutely own this year. But that's just my opinion.
I have Forza Horizon 2 on disc but somehow missed out on downloading it for free when it was on Gold. Now that most of my physical collection is backed up by digital versions it's massively frustrating to not have it available to buy.
@Widey85 I bought it too because of the hype but I really struggle to get to grips with games as expansive as this sometimes. So many incidental moments can be missed that you're never able to return to. It's massively frustrating.
It's why the push towards everything being open world and massive frustrates me. I still can't get to grips with Zelda BoTW and ToTK and would much rather play a traditional, linear Zelda over both of them.
@Spider-Kev I'm with you my friend. I use Game Pass as a sample shop to try games that were never on my radar or I think I'll like but have had mixed reviews.
Streaming only via subscription is not how I want to play my games.
Netflix, Disney+ and all the others (apart from Prime) don't even allow you to buy anything digitally.
This console gen will probably be my last and I'll work through some of the games I own forever.
There was a definite missed opportunity to not include Arkham Origins as part of this. I know it was a different dev but it's the same publisher and IP owner.
It would have been great to see all 4 with boosted frame rates, higher res and NG+.
This really needs to be big for Xbox. The franchise is still huge and attention grabbing to this day and I'd love to have an Uncharted rival set in the IJ universe.
@HonestHick I bought a few cheap PS5 original models to sell on in a few years but had completely forgotten about the Xbox hardware leak. I think it's because the PS5 'slim' has been a real thing, visible in the world for a bit VS the (so far) hypothetical new Xbox, that it slipped my mind.
I've personally think that the Series X|S are two of the most well designed, durable and beautifully constructed pieces of hardware ever. I doubt I'll get rid of my current systems when the new one(s) release, BUT I really hope it doesn't follow the Amazon Echo cylinder approach.
I'd actually like to see Xbox partner with Analogue for the next system design. They always seem to nail the bridge between functionality and beauty.
@HonestHick I forgot about those! Ignore me. My mind went to doom and gloom thinking no more hardware ever again rather than new hardware being released.
I haven't played it yet but this is awful for a game of this type. It's not like losing a couple of trophies on Mario Kart. Larian and Xbox need to fix this immediately.
I remember my friend saving over my original Xbox Fable save. The time I lost, I nearly cried about.
I doubt very much that many, if any, were sold after the 360 was released. I worked in games retail at the time and all original Xbox consoles were recalled by Microsoft weeks prior to the 360 launch. I was gutted as I'd planned to buy a few to sell on.
UE5 showed incredible potential when that "triangles, triangles, triangles" demo happened. Nothing has come close to that even 3 years into the generation. Disappointing.
@Fiendish-Beaver It was the last model they made after the 360 'S' I think. It was made to look very similar to the Xbox One as I think they were announced at the same time. The two tone finish and everything.
I had the original, then Elite, then traded for the 360 S. I sold my S to a friend and paid the difference for the 'E'. I wanted the latest model manufactured so that it would last as long as possible and backwards compatibility was nowhere to be seen at the time.
@Mephisto2869 And yet I think it still holds the record for most successful console accessory in history when it was an add-on for the 360. I could be wrong.
Either way, it should have stayed as an optional accessory.
Comments 388
Re: Xbox Games Are Reportedly No Longer Being Stocked At Some European Retailers
@CharlieChooChoo The lending I can see them having a problem with because, as you mentioned, they would lose money. The trade in thing would technically make them lose money but I think would be a massive win for them PR wise. If you could trade your digital games on Xbox and no other platform holder allowed it, it would be a massive PR win.
Unfortunately, I think the Steam model is the way everything will go. Buy a game. Never own it. F**k off if you don't like it or have completed it because we already have your money.
Re: Xbox Games Are Reportedly No Longer Being Stocked At Some European Retailers
I've been saying for years that each platform holder should create a digital trade in store. Imagine being able to trade in digital purchases once you've finished a game and get credit towards your next purchase.
Re: Xbox Predicts 'Hardware Decline' Despite Huge Revenue Boost From ActiBlizz
I can't remember the last time I saw and advert anywhere for Xbox.
Re: Gaming Becomes Microsoft's 'Third Largest Business' In Latest Quarter
@CharlieChooChoo Activision and Blizzard both have a very long history of making games for Microsoft Windows. Far longer than they ever had making games for PlayStation.
Re: Talking Point: Would You Buy A 'Revised' Xbox Series X|S Controller In 2024?
@Kaloudz It really was. I managed to get a boxed, brand new one from Japan last year for my Dreamcast. It's just incredible.
Re: Talking Point: Would You Buy A 'Revised' Xbox Series X|S Controller In 2024?
I would welcome gyro in a new Xbox controller. Everything else is fine for me.
Re: Talking Point: Would You Buy A 'Revised' Xbox Series X|S Controller In 2024?
I have a PS5 and the DualSense is overrated in my opinion. I find the resistive triggers annoying and crunchy and the haptics a bit of a novelty that doesn't really get used very well. Plus the sharp edges on the prongs just aren't very comfortable for long play sessions. And of course, the left stick is positioned incorrectly. 😂
Re: Talking Point: Would You Buy A 'Revised' Xbox Series X|S Controller In 2024?
@Kaloudz I'm glad to see the Dreamcast controller mentioned. That was the pinnacle of comfort for me too. I'd put the Switch pro controller as 2nd though, very closely followed by the current Xbox controller.
Re: Microsoft Cuts 1,900 Jobs Across Xbox, Bethesda And Activision Blizzard Teams
@Kaloudz No worries at all. I probably wasn't clear. It's just another sad day for the industry as a whole.
Re: Microsoft Cuts 1,900 Jobs Across Xbox, Bethesda And Activision Blizzard Teams
@Kaloudz I absolutely agree. I've worked in HR/recruitment for over 15 years at some major global brands and I've had to deliver these kind of layoffs to employees.
It's never easy but, at well run businesses, a natural occurrence. The timing won't help the perception of what Microsoft is doing is the point I was trying to make.
Re: Microsoft Cuts 1,900 Jobs Across Xbox, Bethesda And Activision Blizzard Teams
It really doesn't make good reading when in the same week Microsoft was valued at $3trillion.
Re: Rumour: Major Xbox Series X|S Controller Revision Still To Be Revealed This Year
@JayJ The only times I've found gyro controls to be a massive improvement have been with the Splatoon games on Wii U and Switch. Nintendo really nailed it in those games to the point where I'd struggle to play without them.
Re: Rumour: Major Xbox Series X|S Controller Revision Still To Be Revealed This Year
@homme_parametre To be fair, all modern controllers have drift and it's ridiculous considering the Hall Effect tech has been around for so long.
The Sega Saturn and Dreamcast used it.
Re: Starfield Discs Could Be Removed From Sale At US Retail Giant Soon
@rustyduck The day that mainstream gaming becomes streaming only is the day that I check out. I'll happily play my giant backlog of retro games that require no internet/downloads.
Re: Two Of Last Year's Best Xbox Games Are Getting Collector's Editions In 2024
Hi-Fi Rush 100%
Re: 'Quake 6' Was Teased At Xbox Developer Direct, And We Didn't Even Spot It
Give us Quake 4 as BC or remaster it please.
Re: Reaction: Xbox Developer Direct 2024 Proved That Microsoft's New Format Really Works
I actually really liked the show. It was a good mix of gameplay and dev insight. And there's so much more to come from Xbox Studios that I think they'll absolutely own this year. But that's just my opinion.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Likely Surpassed 33 Million Subs Last Year, Claims Analyst
As long as Microsoft keep games like Indiana Jones and Avowed exclusive to Xbox then there will definitely be a spike in subscriptions.
I think there will be plenty of gamers out there that have never owned or wanted an Xbox who will pick up a Series S and Game Pass this year.
Re: Hellblade 2 Will Be A Digital-Only, Cheaper Release On Xbox And PC
I'm glad that this will be a relatively short experience. Too many games demand 100+ hours these days.
Re: 'Indiana Jones And The Great Circle' Gameplay Has Landed, And It Looks Awesome
The name is awful but this looks incredible.
Re: Poll: Which Was Your Favourite Big Exclusive From Year-Two Of Xbox One?
@Altaria_97 I'm going to email Microsoft and see if I can get it.
I've had a subscription for many, many years. The have the game code ready to download for people who already had it.
Surely it can't be that hard for them to allow me to download it?
Re: Poll: Which Was Your Favourite Big Exclusive From Year-Two Of Xbox One?
I have Forza Horizon 2 on disc but somehow missed out on downloading it for free when it was on Gold. Now that most of my physical collection is backed up by digital versions it's massively frustrating to not have it available to buy.
Re: Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Reveals Concerns With Xbox Game Pass-Style Subscriptions
@Widey85 I bought it too because of the hype but I really struggle to get to grips with games as expansive as this sometimes. So many incidental moments can be missed that you're never able to return to. It's massively frustrating.
It's why the push towards everything being open world and massive frustrates me. I still can't get to grips with Zelda BoTW and ToTK and would much rather play a traditional, linear Zelda over both of them.
Re: Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Reveals Concerns With Xbox Game Pass-Style Subscriptions
@TheCrafter1578 I completely agree. I've bought so many Games digitally or physically because I tried them on Game Pass.
As long as I still have the option to purchase games I love in some way then I'm happy.
Re: Ubisoft Wants Players To 'Feel Comfortable Not Owning Games' In Future
@Spider-Kev I'm with you my friend. I use Game Pass as a sample shop to try games that were never on my radar or I think I'll like but have had mixed reviews.
Streaming only via subscription is not how I want to play my games.
Netflix, Disney+ and all the others (apart from Prime) don't even allow you to buy anything digitally.
This console gen will probably be my last and I'll work through some of the games I own forever.
Re: Ubisoft Wants Players To 'Feel Comfortable Not Owning Games' In Future
@OldGamer999 I'm old and I can see myself, quite happily, avoiding the next console generation entirely. Subscription only gaming isn't for me.
I have an NES, Game Boy and Master System backlog crying out for attention.
Re: Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Features Modern Control Scheme & 'A Few More Surprises'
This is a day one purchase for me and I kind of hate myself for it.
Re: Indiana Jones Trademark Reveals Potential Name For Upcoming Xbox Title
That's a really terrible name if true. But it could be worse.
Re: Five Years On, Batman: Arkham Collection Is Dominating The Xbox Charts Once Again
There was a definite missed opportunity to not include Arkham Origins as part of this. I know it was a different dev but it's the same publisher and IP owner.
It would have been great to see all 4 with boosted frame rates, higher res and NG+.
Re: Bethesda's Indiana Jones Game Reportedly Set To Launch This Year
This really needs to be big for Xbox. The franchise is still huge and attention grabbing to this day and I'd love to have an Uncharted rival set in the IJ universe.
Re: Xbox Sets Target Date For Baldur's Gate 3 Deleted Saves Fix
I bought the game but am glad I held off after seeing this issue. Hopefully it's fixed properly so that I can start without worrying.
Re: Rumour: Xbox Releasing Acclaimed First-Party Title On 'Competitor System' In 2024
If it gives the game a bigger audience and increases the chance of a sequel happening then I'm all for it.
And the way it was shadow dropped and didn't get a physical release shows me that Microsoft weren't exactly excited about it themselves.
Re: Pick One: Which Is Your Favourite Xbox First-Party Release Of 2023?
Hi-Fi Rush all day long. I can't believe it has nearly been a year since it launched. I'm hoping for a sequel announcement very soon.
Re: Random: 'Brink' Fan Says They'll Keep Buying Copies Until Xbox Makes A Sequel
I have this on PS3 but don't remember a single thing about it.
Re: Microsoft's Gaming CEO Spent 917 Hours Playing Xbox Games This Year
I wish I had that amount of time to play Xbox.
Re: Microsoft Drops Xbox Series X Price To $399 For Christmas 2023
@HonestHick I bought a few cheap PS5 original models to sell on in a few years but had completely forgotten about the Xbox hardware leak. I think it's because the PS5 'slim' has been a real thing, visible in the world for a bit VS the (so far) hypothetical new Xbox, that it slipped my mind.
I've personally think that the Series X|S are two of the most well designed, durable and beautifully constructed pieces of hardware ever. I doubt I'll get rid of my current systems when the new one(s) release, BUT I really hope it doesn't follow the Amazon Echo cylinder approach.
I'd actually like to see Xbox partner with Analogue for the next system design. They always seem to nail the bridge between functionality and beauty.
Re: Microsoft Drops Xbox Series X Price To $399 For Christmas 2023
@HonestHick I forgot about those! Ignore me. My mind went to doom and gloom thinking no more hardware ever again rather than new hardware being released.
Re: Microsoft Drops Xbox Series X Price To $399 For Christmas 2023
A drop this big concerns me.
Re: PSA: Baldur's Gate 3 Has A Worrying Issue With Corrupted Saves On Xbox
I haven't played it yet but this is awful for a game of this type. It's not like losing a couple of trophies on Mario Kart. Larian and Xbox need to fix this immediately.
I remember my friend saving over my original Xbox Fable save. The time I lost, I nearly cried about.
Re: Xbox Exclusive 'As Dusk Falls' Jumps Over To PS5, And There Might Be More In The Works
Not a great look Microsoft.
Re: Xbox Series X|S Sales Have Now Surpassed Original Xbox In The UK
I doubt very much that many, if any, were sold after the 360 was released. I worked in games retail at the time and all original Xbox consoles were recalled by Microsoft weeks prior to the 360 launch. I was gutted as I'd planned to buy a few to sell on.
Re: 8BitDo Is Bringing The 'Greatest Six-Button Controller Ever Made' To Xbox
I need this controller.
Re: Xbox 'Actively Working' To Develop A Mobile Gaming Store, Confirms Phil Spencer
How about just create a decent app that I can use to buy games for my Xbox. The PlayStation app is really easy to use and browse.
Re: Talking Point: Will We Ever Get Another 'Special Edition' Xbox Series X?
I think they'll save it for the new model about to be announced at The Game Awards.
Re: Digital Foundry Looks At Unreal Engine 5's 'Mixed' Start On Xbox Series X|S
UE5 showed incredible potential when that "triangles, triangles, triangles" demo happened. Nothing has come close to that even 3 years into the generation. Disappointing.
Re: Pick One: Which Of These Xbox One Launch Titles Is Your Favourite?
That's actually a really strong line up.
Re: Killer Instinct: Anniversary Edition Announced For Xbox And PC
I have the Definitive Edition because I loved the first two games on SNES and N64 but I've never really been able to get into it.
Re: 10 Years Since Its Release, Let's Celebrate The Biggest Turnaround In Xbox History
@StonyKL I'm absolutely baffled too. The Series X is an incredible machine with an ecosystem and controller that beats PlayStation.
The only thing I notice a LOT is PS5 advertising EVERYWHERE in the UK yet very little Xbox anywhere.
Re: 10 Years Since Its Release, Let's Celebrate The Biggest Turnaround In Xbox History
@Fiendish-Beaver It was the last model they made after the 360 'S' I think. It was made to look very similar to the Xbox One as I think they were announced at the same time. The two tone finish and everything.
https://xbox.fandom.com/wiki/Xbox_360_E
I had the original, then Elite, then traded for the 360 S. I sold my S to a friend and paid the difference for the 'E'. I wanted the latest model manufactured so that it would last as long as possible and backwards compatibility was nowhere to be seen at the time.
Re: 10 Years Since Its Release, Let's Celebrate The Biggest Turnaround In Xbox History
@Mephisto2869 And yet I think it still holds the record for most successful console accessory in history when it was an add-on for the 360. I could be wrong.
Either way, it should have stayed as an optional accessory.