@PsBoxSwitchOwner I've lived in the US for 14 years and have never seen a single Xbox advertisement as far as I can remember. That said, I don't have cable TV and make a point of skipping or muting adverts on streaming platforms (have you seen American adverts? 🤮). PlayStation is very visible, especially when new exclusives come out, Holiday seasons begin or during things like Champions League Football broadcasts which are becoming ever more popular here like the Premier League. Xbox marketing or the lack thereof is truly baffling - everywhere.
I'll keep doing what I've been doing since the Series X came out - subscribe when games I want to play are on the service and unsubscribe when I'm caught up. I just paid $9.99 to play through Hellblade 2, Wasteland 3, Still Wakes the Deep, Botany Manor and some cat indie game. Incredible value! I'll re subscribe when Indiana Jones comes out and no doubt catch up on Stalker 2 and other titles too.
I love the Halo series but can't imagine a universe in which it would make a good TV show or film. Animated maybe but live action? I made it two episodes in.
The last few months have been thoroughly bewildering for Xbox fans. It doesn't necessarily come as a surprise that Microsoft are tweaking products and prices but the way in which they are going about it all is really poor form from a huge company. I think this is the new standard sadly, customer service and retention has gone out the window in recent decades as these capitalist behemoths realize they can essentially do as they please.
I'll continue to subscribe (PC Gamepass - I wish Ultimate was less costly as I still enjoy my Series X regularly) every once in a while when there are a few games I want to play but my particular thinking is that if there are games over 20/30 hours in length then I'll likely wait for a sale so I don't need to be subscribed for many months consecutively.
Us frustrated gamers out there need to take a stand but it's a double etched sword. Our dislike of Microsoft's practices vs enjoying Xbox and it's offerings. That's where we're at with pretty much every business nowadays.
It took years of saving but building a PC was the best gaming move I've made. We're not charged extra for multiplayer gaming, we're not (quite as) impacted by these price hikes and best of all, the Steam store has proper sales and price reductions. I'm saving a lot of money in the long run providing I have the willpower to not buy every game I'm interested in when it hits a sale.
I will say that Gamepass is still good value on console if there are games you want to play on the service. Compare it to say the higher tier of Netflix which mostly has mindless if not painfully average content compared to the best three or four video streaming services. It's all about the cost per hour of enjoyment for me. Going to sports events and live music has become unaffordable to most and I'd argue an awful waste of money compared to $20 a month for hundred's of games including new releases. It's all open to personal interpretation nonetheless.
Edit: you can also subscribe and unsubscribe at will which depending on your free time can be exceptional value if like me, you can occasionally cram in a few less lengthy games in a shorter span of time.
Wreckfest is great fun for anyone nostalgic for the PS1 Destruction Derby games and the cherry on top is using a USB with the Destruction Derby 2 soundtrack instead of the base soundtrack. Streets of Rage 4 is a modern classic. Gamepass occasionally gets some cracking pick up and play indie games too. I do think PC/Steam gets more pick up and play type games nowadays.
My backlog has seen me have maybe four larger/longer games on the go simultaneously for the first time which isn't as bad as I thought providing I can keep up with characters and story in each. This weekend however I'm committing to one, Wasteland 3 on Gamepass. Another gem I somehow overlooked until I watched the SkillUp video and decided to give it a go. Recommended!
This is (a big part of) the future. I'm not sure what kind of deal is in place with Samsung but if the Gamepass app becomes more widely 'built in' or downloadable on most new TVs/Roku, Apple TV, then Xbox will really be available everywhere without the need for a console or PC. As noted above, this is all well and good if you have good speeds and preferably, ethernet available.
Lots of emotive and narrow minded comments here. If the game wasn't for you that's fine but remember to use 'imo'. Video games are most certainly an art form now and this is a very unique game with beautiful graphics and a rare take on mental illness. Yes it could be considered a walking simulator with rather basic combat but it's a narrative heavy game and it's executed brilliantly imo. I can tell you that from thousands of reviews on Steam, this experience meant something to a lot of people. I personally wouldn't have considered games like this a few years back but it's good to try something outside your regular genres, you never know what might appeal.
Yes it's lacked exclusives but as someone who didn't have an Xbox One, I've more than got my money's worth with Gamepass and backward compatibility being a real highlight this generation. It looks like we have a few great years ahead too going by recent showcases. There is a lot of negativity out there but as gamers, we've never had it better - just look at our backlogs, no matter what system you play on!
Just finished Hellblade 2, an overall fabulous experience, just the right length for a narrative focused game. Astonishing graphics even at 1440p. I've thoroughly enjoyed Senua's two games although I can safely say they won't be for everyone. The visuals have me excited for the next Witcher among other future titles.
Tomorrow I'll start Still Wakes the Deep while I'm on this quick narrative kick.
Lots of promising games but if you grew up with Indy then it's a no brainer plus Machine Games know what they're doing. I'm personally happy with the third/first person combination of gameplay.
@BAMozzy Yep, as a huge fan this is a little bit disappointing, I wish it had been a full remake. My backlog is far too big to spend time on remasters.
I'm still waiting for the Brothers in Arms series to go on sale. Also, slight tangent but now Capcom are going all out with their IPs, maybe we can get a whole new current gen Dead Rising? That series was pure goofy fun.
There should be a BLOPS 6 multiplayer only option that could likely register 50-80GB max. I don't need the latest streaming assets for multiplayer. Or every recent COD in one app. Why is this too much to ask? I'll be skipping it yet again this year although I'm sure they'll do just fine without me.
@cburg It really is a golden age of gaming. It's bizarre how many people like to complain about reveal shows etc when we're all dealing with significant backlogs of excellent games.
There are much bigger, also great looking games out there that don't take up this insane amount of storage. I previously believed that the developers simply weren't talented enough to do otherwise but it must be a cynical publisher decision? Why?
I'm all caught up, objectively brilliant showcase. I'm not really into CGI only trailers but at least we have confirmation of the exciting games in development. I'll be happy with most arriving late 2024/into 2025 as the backlog continues to grow!
@EVIL-C I'm sure I'll give it a go at some point. I think the devs that truly respect our collective nostalgia for classic films will create an original game/story - I thoroughly enjoyed Alien Isolation, Aliens Dark Descent, Terminator Resistance and Robocop Rogue City. The Thing remaster feels like a little bit of a cash grab but when it goes on sale...
@Tyrant_T103 Just my opinion. I'm happy other folks enjoyed it. There have been some brilliant games in the genre since then, the Dead Space series and many others are clearly inspired by The Thing. If this remaster is popular enough then maybe we'll get another installment 🤞
As a huge fan of the film this is rather disappointing. The game was ok, nothing more. A total remake would have been a much better option. A remaster of an average game based on an incredible film many young gamers don't even know that well or at all is a curious decision to say the least.
@OldGamer999 I have way too many YouTube playlists of soundtrack's going back to Sega Megadrive and Super Nintendo - Banjo gets played the most though!
I'll have to watch on demand later in the day after the India v Pakistan world cup game in New York. I think this Xbox showcase will surpass the last if some of the rumours materialize plus Microsoft Gaming needs to garner some good faith and excitement after a difficult period for it's image and integrity.
@xMightyMatt14x All Fair points, I definitely enjoyed aspects of some recent COD campaigns - clean house in Modern Warfare was a standout mission for me. They just tend to be on the short side and emphasize choreographed action sequences over varied and challenging AI. I do love a good FPS campaign though, the recent Wolfenstein games are well worth your time, Doom and Doom Eternal, Titanfall 2, the Metro trilogy was really immersive.... I'm glad you're enjoying the COD back catalogue, I'm sure I'll dip in for a bit of nostalgia, particularly COD 2 and 3 (WW2) Gamepass is great for this.
@RetroMan71 Yes please! I'm waiting patiently for this to incorporate some sort of Flight Simulator style photogrammetry coupled with AI upscaling to provide true photo realistic versions of cities like London, NYC, Hong Kong etc. I'm sure it'll happen this generation or next.
The only big ActiBlizz shadow drop would be Modern Warfare 3 surely. How many people truly care about their back catalogue? It's not like their older games are contemporary classics. At the time sure but most haven't aged well unlike Nintendo and Sega classics. With our current backlogs owing to several years of brilliant game releases how many ActiBlizz games will folks put time into other than for a quick nostalgic kick? I'm honestly still astonished at the size of that acquisition. Their portfolio is pretty bland compared to Bethesda for example. COD must be a true behemoth.
Surely Microsoft, Sony et al must be keeping a close eye on the AI upscaling technology that Nvidia/AMD are pioneering. I don't think Microsoft should rush out new hardware without first ensuring it can take advantage of this tech whether on day one and/or through ongoing updates. If not people will no doubt continue to complain about the choice between frame rate and fidelity.
@BAMozzy I somehow missed the Xbox/Steam rumours. If this happens, it'll be the single biggest boost to Xbox I can imagine. A handheld and a high end console would be a great business move - if Steam and the Xbox store/Gamepass are all on there (I can't afford to upgrade my PC any year soon!).
@NEStalgia That's a different Avalanche studio I think. Could be wrong but I believe they are separate companies. Anyway, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. It's all opinions at the end of the day but as a Mad Max fan in general, I thoroughly enjoyed the game and finished most of the gameplay/quest elements. I'm envious of those that got to do it with fps boost on Xbox. I like recent Kojima games too but I don't want a Mad Max game by him.
I simply wanted the latest and greatest and armed with my new student loan, I got the OG Xbox with Halo and Tony Hawk 3 back in 2001. The price dropped soon after and Microsoft compensated us early adopters with two free games - there wasn't much to pick from so I went with Project Gotham Racing and Dead or Alive 3. My university dorm room was the place to be, my new friends also had PS2 with GTA 3 and Pro Evo and GameCube.
4 years later I was living in Canada and the 360 came out - Call of Duty 2 was my first game. Back in London a year later Gears of War blew our minds. The start of the level with the pouring rain was the the best graphics I had ever seen in a game. That generation was fantastic overall. I owned four 360's due to the red ring of death then a move to NYC. I still use Kinect for the sports games today.
I skipped Xbox One due to the PS4 having an outstanding catalog of games and returned to Xbox with Series X (primarily for Flight Simulator) where Gamepass helped me catch up on the exclusives I missed and introduced me to the pleasures of many indie gems. I won't be getting any further Xbox hardware as I've joined the PC ecosystem which I find to be far better value after the initially pricey hardware investment. I hope Xbox lives on though, perhaps in the handheld arena (growing among young people in particular) and/or a niche high end console with PC architecture. Only Microsoft knows their plans though. Or do they?!
Lastly, Halo LAN parties are still among my favourite gaming memories.
I'll give this a go because...I grew up with 16 bit American Football games but always liked Mutant League Football the best (being a White Dwarf/Warhammer kid). After moving to NYC I still couldn't really get into the NFL but then I had a stint in Tallahassee. Wow, college football is BIG. With multiple stadiums seating over 100,000 and entire towns' economies reliant on just 7 home games per season, the atmosphere is infectious. You could argue the games are more entertaining than pro football too as they take more risks and make more mistakes at college level. I'm glad the players will finally be compensated as they are risking a lot considering the billions TV networks make airing college sports.
@Banjo- I played about 15 hours of the sequel then quit but that was early days. It's larger and tries for a deeper story but it (initially) failed to bring that heightened sense of fear at night and had some hit and miss mechanics. That said, it has been significantly patched and is supposedly a pretty good experience in it's own right now - certainly better than Dead Island 2 but I'm not returning because my backlog is ever growing!
A Doom reveal is always exciting to me having grown up with the original games. 2016 and Eternal are absolute top level fps campaigns in a world now saturated with live service and pvp fps. In addition, ID are always at the forefront of cutting edge graphics tech - I don't think any other studio can optimize games for current hardware like they can. Very talented bunch of folks.
If you consider yourself a zombie fan and haven't tried this yet then I say go for it! In my opinion it was the best zombie game of the previous generation and top five all time for me personally. It's got the b-movie soundtrack and score, excellent traversal mechanics and most importantly, an incredibly scary/high octane night and day cycle. The story is fine but you didn't come here for that. File with hidden gems like Mad Max.
I'm finally playing through Deliver Us Mars which I recommend for anyone who enjoyed Deliver Us The Moon. Baldurs Gate 3 will be continued when I'm ready for a longer play session as will Asgards Wrath 2. Happy weekend y'all!
@NEStalgia I'd be happy with 1440p but many of us would use this potential PC Xbox hybrid in a living room or bedroom, likely with a TV 55" or larger which means a stretched image. Somewhat related - I'm fairly clueless when it comes to all this fancy new upscaling technology but perhaps that could be leveraged to have games look closer to 4K even if they aren't technically.
@NEStalgia I'd be pleased to see a 'high end' console equitable to a decent PC but it has to be somewhat future proof and that is also an emerging question mark hanging over future hardware with large games now requiring 5-8 years to develop (maybe AI can help but let's not go there for now). How about something somewhat modular, a high end CPU with options to upgrade the storage, GPU and RAM - that could potentially enable the hardware to transcend two generations of gaming evolution. Wishful thinking maybe but one can dream! I'd also like it to have the Steam storefront but maybe I'm losing my grip on reality at this point.
Xbox has put itself in a lose lose situation in my opinion. Consoles don't make money and in any case they're likely to fall even further behind their competition after these latest developments. I can't fathom Microsoft's aims or business plan at this point. Going straight up publisher has seemed obvious for a while but they've created all this negative publicity for themselves and likely resentment that could damage sales of both hardware and software. It's all rather baffling. You'd think a trillion dollar company would employ smarter people but everything seems geared toward quick returns with no regard for sustainability.
If you are that high up in a major corporation then it's a prerequisite that you don't have any feelings whatsoever when decisions like this are made. These people live in a different world to most of us. I'm also sure these decisions are coming from above Phil but if you really feel anything for the thousands out of work then just resign. You've got plenty for early retirement if nothing else.
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Re: Sony PlayStation 'Regrettably Outspends Us', Says Xbox EMEA Marketing Boss
@PsBoxSwitchOwner I've lived in the US for 14 years and have never seen a single Xbox advertisement as far as I can remember. That said, I don't have cable TV and make a point of skipping or muting adverts on streaming platforms (have you seen American adverts? 🤮). PlayStation is very visible, especially when new exclusives come out, Holiday seasons begin or during things like Champions League Football broadcasts which are becoming ever more popular here like the Premier League. Xbox marketing or the lack thereof is truly baffling - everywhere.
Re: FTC Calls Out Xbox's New 'Degraded' Game Pass Tier & Price Increases
I'll keep doing what I've been doing since the Series X came out - subscribe when games I want to play are on the service and unsubscribe when I'm caught up. I just paid $9.99 to play through Hellblade 2, Wasteland 3, Still Wakes the Deep, Botany Manor and some cat indie game. Incredible value! I'll re subscribe when Indiana Jones comes out and no doubt catch up on Stalker 2 and other titles too.
Re: Halo TV Show Cancelled By Paramount+ After Two Seasons
I love the Halo series but can't imagine a universe in which it would make a good TV show or film. Animated maybe but live action? I made it two episodes in.
Re: Talking Point: If You Had To Limit Yourself To Three Xbox Games, What Would They Be?
Xbox specific (though these are/would be on PC too of course) would be:
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Halo MCC
Gears Collection (when is this coming?!)
Re: Rumour: Day One Releases Delayed On A 'Case-By-Case Basis' For Xbox Game Pass Standard Tier
The last few months have been thoroughly bewildering for Xbox fans. It doesn't necessarily come as a surprise that Microsoft are tweaking products and prices but the way in which they are going about it all is really poor form from a huge company. I think this is the new standard sadly, customer service and retention has gone out the window in recent decades as these capitalist behemoths realize they can essentially do as they please.
I'll continue to subscribe (PC Gamepass - I wish Ultimate was less costly as I still enjoy my Series X regularly) every once in a while when there are a few games I want to play but my particular thinking is that if there are games over 20/30 hours in length then I'll likely wait for a sale so I don't need to be subscribed for many months consecutively.
Us frustrated gamers out there need to take a stand but it's a double etched sword. Our dislike of Microsoft's practices vs enjoying Xbox and it's offerings. That's where we're at with pretty much every business nowadays.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Gets Price Increases And New 'Standard' Subscription Tier
It took years of saving but building a PC was the best gaming move I've made. We're not charged extra for multiplayer gaming, we're not (quite as) impacted by these price hikes and best of all, the Steam store has proper sales and price reductions. I'm saving a lot of money in the long run providing I have the willpower to not buy every game I'm interested in when it hits a sale.
I will say that Gamepass is still good value on console if there are games you want to play on the service. Compare it to say the higher tier of Netflix which mostly has mindless if not painfully average content compared to the best three or four video streaming services. It's all about the cost per hour of enjoyment for me. Going to sports events and live music has become unaffordable to most and I'd argue an awful waste of money compared to $20 a month for hundred's of games including new releases. It's all open to personal interpretation nonetheless.
Edit: you can also subscribe and unsubscribe at will which depending on your free time can be exceptional value if like me, you can occasionally cram in a few less lengthy games in a shorter span of time.
Re: Soapbox: I Miss The Type Of Pick-Up-And-Play Games We Got On Original Xbox
Oh yeah, favourite OG Xbox games - Halo, Rallisport Challenge 2, Project Gotham games, Tony Hawk 3, Doom 3 and Brothers in Arms.
Re: Soapbox: I Miss The Type Of Pick-Up-And-Play Games We Got On Original Xbox
Wreckfest is great fun for anyone nostalgic for the PS1 Destruction Derby games and the cherry on top is using a USB with the Destruction Derby 2 soundtrack instead of the base soundtrack. Streets of Rage 4 is a modern classic. Gamepass occasionally gets some cracking pick up and play indie games too. I do think PC/Steam gets more pick up and play type games nowadays.
Re: These Eight Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (July 3-16)
@Berry-sXe They should have put it on the service before the world cup started last month!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 29-30)
My backlog has seen me have maybe four larger/longer games on the go simultaneously for the first time which isn't as bad as I thought providing I can keep up with characters and story in each. This weekend however I'm committing to one, Wasteland 3 on Gamepass. Another gem I somehow overlooked until I watched the SkillUp video and decided to give it a go. Recommended!
Re: Xbox Is Bringing Cloud Gaming To The Amazon Fire TV Stick
This is (a big part of) the future. I'm not sure what kind of deal is in place with Samsung but if the Gamepass app becomes more widely 'built in' or downloadable on most new TVs/Roku, Apple TV, then Xbox will really be available everywhere without the need for a console or PC. As noted above, this is all well and good if you have good speeds and preferably, ethernet available.
Re: Hellblade 2 Apparently Failed To Crack Top 100 Game Sales In Europe Last Month
Lots of emotive and narrow minded comments here. If the game wasn't for you that's fine but remember to use 'imo'. Video games are most certainly an art form now and this is a very unique game with beautiful graphics and a rare take on mental illness. Yes it could be considered a walking simulator with rather basic combat but it's a narrative heavy game and it's executed brilliantly imo. I can tell you that from thousands of reviews on Steam, this experience meant something to a lot of people. I personally wouldn't have considered games like this a few years back but it's good to try something outside your regular genres, you never know what might appeal.
Re: Talking Point: What's Been The High Point Of The Xbox Series X|S Generation So Far?
Yes it's lacked exclusives but as someone who didn't have an Xbox One, I've more than got my money's worth with Gamepass and backward compatibility being a real highlight this generation. It looks like we have a few great years ahead too going by recent showcases. There is a lot of negativity out there but as gamers, we've never had it better - just look at our backlogs, no matter what system you play on!
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 22-23)
Just finished Hellblade 2, an overall fabulous experience, just the right length for a narrative focused game. Astonishing graphics even at 1440p. I've thoroughly enjoyed Senua's two games although I can safely say they won't be for everyone. The visuals have me excited for the next Witcher among other future titles.
Tomorrow I'll start Still Wakes the Deep while I'm on this quick narrative kick.
Re: Pick One: Which Game From This Year's Xbox Showcase Are You Most Excited For?
Lots of promising games but if you grew up with Indy then it's a no brainer plus Machine Games know what they're doing. I'm personally happy with the third/first person combination of gameplay.
Re: Gallery: Here's A First Look At The Thing: Remastered For Xbox One & Series X|S
@BAMozzy Yep, as a huge fan this is a little bit disappointing, I wish it had been a full remake. My backlog is far too big to spend time on remasters.
Re: Xbox 360 Sales Continue As Microsoft Discounts Another Batch Of Games
I'm still waiting for the Brothers in Arms series to go on sale. Also, slight tangent but now Capcom are going all out with their IPs, maybe we can get a whole new current gen Dead Rising? That series was pure goofy fun.
Re: Roundup: Here's What The Reviews Are Saying About Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree
I don't think anything could top Witcher 3 for paid DLC but this could be up there.
Re: Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 Estimated File Size TBA 'Closer To Launch'
There should be a BLOPS 6 multiplayer only option that could likely register 50-80GB max. I don't need the latest streaming assets for multiplayer. Or every recent COD in one app. Why is this too much to ask? I'll be skipping it yet again this year although I'm sure they'll do just fine without me.
Re: Here's Everything That Was Revealed At Ubisoft Forward 2024
@cburg It really is a golden age of gaming. It's bizarre how many people like to complain about reveal shows etc when we're all dealing with significant backlogs of excellent games.
Re: Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 Will Require A 'Continuous' Internet Connection (Yes, Even Campaign)
There are much bigger, also great looking games out there that don't take up this insane amount of storage. I previously believed that the developers simply weren't talented enough to do otherwise but it must be a cynical publisher decision? Why?
Re: Reaction: Xbox's 2024 Showcase Felt Like A Throwback To The 360 Era, In The Best Way Possible
I'm all caught up, objectively brilliant showcase. I'm not really into CGI only trailers but at least we have confirmation of the exciting games in development. I'll be happy with most arriving late 2024/into 2025 as the backlog continues to grow!
Re: The Thing: Remastered Brings The 2002 Game Back To Xbox This Year
@EVIL-C I'm sure I'll give it a go at some point. I think the devs that truly respect our collective nostalgia for classic films will create an original game/story - I thoroughly enjoyed Alien Isolation, Aliens Dark Descent, Terminator Resistance and Robocop Rogue City. The Thing remaster feels like a little bit of a cash grab but when it goes on sale...
Re: The Thing: Remastered Brings The 2002 Game Back To Xbox This Year
@Tyrant_T103 Just my opinion. I'm happy other folks enjoyed it. There have been some brilliant games in the genre since then, the Dead Space series and many others are clearly inspired by The Thing. If this remaster is popular enough then maybe we'll get another installment 🤞
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (June 8-9)
Senua's Saga, Night Springs dlc for Alan Wake 2 and Asgards Wrath 2 for me (if I have time!).
Re: The Thing: Remastered Brings The 2002 Game Back To Xbox This Year
As a huge fan of the film this is rather disappointing. The game was ok, nothing more. A total remake would have been a much better option. A remaster of an average game based on an incredible film many young gamers don't even know that well or at all is a curious decision to say the least.
Re: Talking Point: What Are Your Plans For The Xbox Games Showcase 2024?
@OldGamer999 I have way too many YouTube playlists of soundtrack's going back to Sega Megadrive and Super Nintendo - Banjo gets played the most though!
Re: Talking Point: What Are Your Plans For The Xbox Games Showcase 2024?
@OldGamer999 Yes please, I need that entire soundtrack stuck in my head again 24/7.. No seriously. 😉
Re: Talking Point: What Are Your Plans For The Xbox Games Showcase 2024?
I'll have to watch on demand later in the day after the India v Pakistan world cup game in New York. I think this Xbox showcase will surpass the last if some of the rumours materialize plus Microsoft Gaming needs to garner some good faith and excitement after a difficult period for it's image and integrity.
Re: Remedy Is Teasing Its First Expansion To The GOTY-Rated Alan Wake 2
I'm getting more Control crossover vibes with that post. Can't wait!
Re: Our Predictions For The 2024 Xbox Games Showcase
@xMightyMatt14x All Fair points, I definitely enjoyed aspects of some recent COD campaigns - clean house in Modern Warfare was a standout mission for me. They just tend to be on the short side and emphasize choreographed action sequences over varied and challenging AI. I do love a good FPS campaign though, the recent Wolfenstein games are well worth your time, Doom and Doom Eternal, Titanfall 2, the Metro trilogy was really immersive.... I'm glad you're enjoying the COD back catalogue, I'm sure I'll dip in for a bit of nostalgia, particularly COD 2 and 3 (WW2) Gamepass is great for this.
Re: Our Predictions For The 2024 Xbox Games Showcase
@RetroMan71 Yes please! I'm waiting patiently for this to incorporate some sort of Flight Simulator style photogrammetry coupled with AI upscaling to provide true photo realistic versions of cities like London, NYC, Hong Kong etc. I'm sure it'll happen this generation or next.
Re: Our Predictions For The 2024 Xbox Games Showcase
The only big ActiBlizz shadow drop would be Modern Warfare 3 surely. How many people truly care about their back catalogue? It's not like their older games are contemporary classics. At the time sure but most haven't aged well unlike Nintendo and Sega classics. With our current backlogs owing to several years of brilliant game releases how many ActiBlizz games will folks put time into other than for a quick nostalgic kick? I'm honestly still astonished at the size of that acquisition. Their portfolio is pretty bland compared to Bethesda for example. COD must be a true behemoth.
Re: Rumour: Xbox Showcase To Feature First-Party Shadow Drop, Details On Portable Console
Surely Microsoft, Sony et al must be keeping a close eye on the AI upscaling technology that Nvidia/AMD are pioneering. I don't think Microsoft should rush out new hardware without first ensuring it can take advantage of this tech whether on day one and/or through ongoing updates. If not people will no doubt continue to complain about the choice between frame rate and fidelity.
Re: Rumour: Xbox Showcase To Feature First-Party Shadow Drop, Details On Portable Console
@BAMozzy I somehow missed the Xbox/Steam rumours. If this happens, it'll be the single biggest boost to Xbox I can imagine. A handheld and a high end console would be a great business move - if Steam and the Xbox store/Gamepass are all on there (I can't afford to upgrade my PC any year soon!).
Re: Bungie's Epic 'The Final Shape' Launch Trailer Has Arrived For Destiny 2
Oh my gosh make a new game/IP already please Bungie.
Re: Mad Max Dev Takes Offense At 'Nonsense' Criticism Of The 2015 Video Game
@NEStalgia That's a different Avalanche studio I think. Could be wrong but I believe they are separate companies. Anyway, I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. It's all opinions at the end of the day but as a Mad Max fan in general, I thoroughly enjoyed the game and finished most of the gameplay/quest elements. I'm envious of those that got to do it with fps boost on Xbox. I like recent Kojima games too but I don't want a Mad Max game by him.
Re: Talking Point: What Dream Reveal Would You Like To See At The Xbox Games Showcase 2024?
Whatever happened to Contraband?!
Re: Talking Point: What Convinced You To Pick Xbox In The First Place?
I simply wanted the latest and greatest and armed with my new student loan, I got the OG Xbox with Halo and Tony Hawk 3 back in 2001. The price dropped soon after and Microsoft compensated us early adopters with two free games - there wasn't much to pick from so I went with Project Gotham Racing and Dead or Alive 3. My university dorm room was the place to be, my new friends also had PS2 with GTA 3 and Pro Evo and GameCube.
4 years later I was living in Canada and the 360 came out - Call of Duty 2 was my first game. Back in London a year later Gears of War blew our minds. The start of the level with the pouring rain was the the best graphics I had ever seen in a game. That generation was fantastic overall. I owned four 360's due to the red ring of death then a move to NYC. I still use Kinect for the sports games today.
I skipped Xbox One due to the PS4 having an outstanding catalog of games and returned to Xbox with Series X (primarily for Flight Simulator) where Gamepass helped me catch up on the exclusives I missed and introduced me to the pleasures of many indie gems. I won't be getting any further Xbox hardware as I've joined the PC ecosystem which I find to be far better value after the initially pricey hardware investment. I hope Xbox lives on though, perhaps in the handheld arena (growing among young people in particular) and/or a niche high end console with PC architecture. Only Microsoft knows their plans though. Or do they?!
Lastly, Halo LAN parties are still among my favourite gaming memories.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 18-19)
I'm trying out Fallout 4 on PS5 for the first time. I've never finished a Bethesda RPG (I got bored of Starfield) plus...
Asgards Wrath 2 on Quest 3
Helldivers 2 on PC
Let's Cook Together/Don't Starve Together with wifey on Series X
Paused: Baldurs Gate 3, Talos Principle 2, Deliver Us Mars
The backlog is real: GOW Ragnarok, Jedi Survivor.
Re: College Football 25 Kicks Off This July, Special 'MVP' Bundle Available For Xbox Series X|S
I'll give this a go because...I grew up with 16 bit American Football games but always liked Mutant League Football the best (being a White Dwarf/Warhammer kid). After moving to NYC I still couldn't really get into the NFL but then I had a stint in Tallahassee. Wow, college football is BIG. With multiple stadiums seating over 100,000 and entire towns' economies reliant on just 7 home games per season, the atmosphere is infectious. You could argue the games are more entertaining than pro football too as they take more risks and make more mistakes at college level. I'm glad the players will finally be compensated as they are risking a lot considering the billions TV networks make airing college sports.
Re: Dying Light Is Ridiculously Cheap Right Now On Xbox, And It Has A Free Next-Gen Upgrade
@Banjo- I played about 15 hours of the sequel then quit but that was early days. It's larger and tries for a deeper story but it (initially) failed to bring that heightened sense of fear at night and had some hit and miss mechanics. That said, it has been significantly patched and is supposedly a pretty good experience in it's own right now - certainly better than Dead Island 2 but I'm not returning because my backlog is ever growing!
Re: Bethesda Trademark Hints At New DOOM Announcement For Xbox Games Showcase
A Doom reveal is always exciting to me having grown up with the original games. 2016 and Eternal are absolute top level fps campaigns in a world now saturated with live service and pvp fps. In addition, ID are always at the forefront of cutting edge graphics tech - I don't think any other studio can optimize games for current hardware like they can. Very talented bunch of folks.
Re: Dying Light Is Ridiculously Cheap Right Now On Xbox, And It Has A Free Next-Gen Upgrade
If you consider yourself a zombie fan and haven't tried this yet then I say go for it! In my opinion it was the best zombie game of the previous generation and top five all time for me personally. It's got the b-movie soundtrack and score, excellent traversal mechanics and most importantly, an incredibly scary/high octane night and day cycle. The story is fine but you didn't come here for that. File with hidden gems like Mad Max.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (May 11-12)
I'm finally playing through Deliver Us Mars which I recommend for anyone who enjoyed Deliver Us The Moon. Baldurs Gate 3 will be continued when I'm ready for a longer play session as will Asgards Wrath 2. Happy weekend y'all!
Re: Former Microsoft Exec Gives 'Two Reasons' Why Xbox Closed Bethesda Teams
@NEStalgia I'd be happy with 1440p but many of us would use this potential PC Xbox hybrid in a living room or bedroom, likely with a TV 55" or larger which means a stretched image. Somewhat related - I'm fairly clueless when it comes to all this fancy new upscaling technology but perhaps that could be leveraged to have games look closer to 4K even if they aren't technically.
Re: Former Microsoft Exec Gives 'Two Reasons' Why Xbox Closed Bethesda Teams
@NEStalgia I'd be pleased to see a 'high end' console equitable to a decent PC but it has to be somewhat future proof and that is also an emerging question mark hanging over future hardware with large games now requiring 5-8 years to develop (maybe AI can help but let's not go there for now). How about something somewhat modular, a high end CPU with options to upgrade the storage, GPU and RAM - that could potentially enable the hardware to transcend two generations of gaming evolution. Wishful thinking maybe but one can dream! I'd also like it to have the Steam storefront but maybe I'm losing my grip on reality at this point.
Re: Former Microsoft Exec Gives 'Two Reasons' Why Xbox Closed Bethesda Teams
Xbox has put itself in a lose lose situation in my opinion. Consoles don't make money and in any case they're likely to fall even further behind their competition after these latest developments. I can't fathom Microsoft's aims or business plan at this point. Going straight up publisher has seemed obvious for a while but they've created all this negative publicity for themselves and likely resentment that could damage sales of both hardware and software. It's all rather baffling. You'd think a trillion dollar company would employ smarter people but everything seems geared toward quick returns with no regard for sustainability.
Re: Reaction: Xbox's Push Towards 'Microsoft Gaming' Looks More Drastic Than We First Thought
At this point I simply can't envisage further Xbox hardware. Nothing competitive or mass market anyway.
Re: Former Blizzard President Gives Support To Phil Spencer Amidst Xbox Negativity
If you are that high up in a major corporation then it's a prerequisite that you don't have any feelings whatsoever when decisions like this are made. These people live in a different world to most of us. I'm also sure these decisions are coming from above Phil but if you really feel anything for the thousands out of work then just resign. You've got plenty for early retirement if nothing else.