BAMozzy

It seems like Valve are trying to make an affordable 'entry' level Gaming PC with their OS to compliment the Steamdeck for some. Others will no doubt have a Gaming PC that surpasses the Steam Machine, but they are targeting 'Console' owners specifically so I'd imagine it would be priced similarly to other consoles - it maybe as 'expensive' as a Series X as its not as 'locked' as a typical console so maybe not subsidised as much.

I much prefer Persistent Lobbies which I feel is more important than SBMM. I don't really have an issue with SBMM until it really impacts on my time. If its too 'strict', it can take a while tofind 'equal' skilled players and put them all into the same Lobby - which can also impact on Ping.

Obviously a 'bit' of SBMM can help to balance each team and match - distribute the 'skill' evenly so that matches are much more evenly contested - in theory as not every player is using Meta weapons or trying to 'win', their priority might be a Camo or challenge.

I do think that SBMM has a place - EVERYONE should have the same opportunity to 'enjoy'. Protecting lower skill players so they don't feel like Cannon Fodder, that their 'time' isn't being respected etc is important too otherwise you end up pushing the majority away leaving only the High Skilled players anyway.

You can make a case for each - Ping should be 'king' for the best gaming experience, but if you are being killed every 5-10s and not getting kills or Killstreaks yourself, you aren't having the best experience either so SBMM should 'balance' matches.

Persistent Lobbies are where I think the most fun and friendships can be made. If you play with the same person for a few matches, you are more likely to know whether or not you'd want to 'party up' and play regularly together so persistent Lobbies are great. You can leave and search again if you don't want to play with someone or you can try and get revenge.

I think SBMM is 'essential', but I also don't think it should be 'too' strict and certainly not at the cost of Ping. Priority to Skill matching up to say 40ping and then if spaces, fill with those under 40 ping with 'priority' to those closest in Skill.

@FraserG They already have a £600 Handheld PC - the White Xbox Ally.

The Xbox Ally X has a Z2E chip and is the 'cheapest' Z2E based Handheld PC's. If, however, you want a Bigger Screen, then MSI Claw A8 has a 8" screen and Lenovo Go 2 has a 8.8" OLED Screen, but also cost the most - over £1k.

There are cheaper options and more expensive options and some with Bigger Screens too if you prefer. They are all Handheld PC's so all offer the same Platforms, Libraries etc

@dodgykebaab Microsoft have their own Console Platform and Hardware and also sell 3rd Party Published games in their own Store.

Companies like EA and Ubisoft, whilst they may have their own platform on PC, its pretty much just their own Published games and rely solely on 3rd Party Platforms and hardware.

Microsoft, Steam, Sony etc also make a LOT of money by selling 3rd Party Published games from the likes of EA, Ubisoft etc. The main difference is whether you have your own Hardware/Platform that also sells 3rd Party Published games or predominently a 3rd Party Publisher with at most, their own first party PC platform/launcher.

MS has more than 1 gaming platform - Console and PC - both of which sell Ubisoft and EA games and make money for MS. That is the big difference - otherwise they are ALL very SIMILAR in that they all own a bunch of Studios making games they Publish to sell to consumers for their entertainment.

Even if they don't compete 'directly', they are still competing and as such, some will always come down on a side.

Xbox may NOT be competing in the 'Console' Hardware sector, but that doesn't mean 'Xbox' as a Platform is losing - Xbox is not just their Console, but includes both their OWN PC platform and of course their Cloud based service streaming Games from 'virtual' Xbox hardware. Its not 'just' the 'X' million you have buying, playing and/or subbing on your Console, but also the 'Y' and 'Z' players who are using your PC and Cloud platforms too.

Yes Sony may release games on Steam or Epic for their PC releases, but on those platforms, Sony is a '3rd Party' Publisher and releasing on Steam or Epic platforms, like MLB or Helldivers on Xbox. Sony may well develop their 'own' PC platform/launcher and offer 'Play Anywhere' in their OWN platforms. That too will 'hurt' their Console Hardware, but not necessarily harm their Playstation Platform or User base. Playstation, like Xbox gamers, would just have a choice.

Platform and Hardware aren't necessarily the 'SAME' thing. PC isn't a Single Platform device (like a Console) but has MANY gaming Platforms - inc Xbox, Steam, Epic, Battlenet etc - all competing on a Single piece of Hardware. That's why Xbox Hardware isn't 'competing' with the other Consoles, because the Xbox Console is NOT the ONLY Microsoft owned Gaming Platform.

I can see Sony moving the same Direction, having their own '3rd Party' Platform on Microsoft Windows PC's - like Steam, Epic etc. Instead of releasing games on '3rd party' platforms, it will be more like hardware is Multi-platform and you just play the games on whatever Platform they release or you prefer - like watching Netflix, Amazon and Disney+ on the SAME TV.

I'm sure some games will come eventually, but we don't know the reasons why its been 'slow' so far. It could be any number of reasons, from lack of Dev Kits, their own Handheld plans to the costs involved and 'projected' revenue. MS don't forget won't get the 'full' price as Nintendo will take a cut as its their Platform/store etc.

If they think it won't sell to more than 5-10% of the Audience, bear in mind that few games do exceed that, it may not be worth the costs of porting, optimising, advertising, distributing and releasing on Switch at the moment. In a year, they could double their user base and maybe re-evaluate.

They could bring FH5 to Switch 2 as Xbox/PC get FH6 for example and with PS5 being far more similar to Series, porting and optimising is not labourious and with more users, its arguably going to be their 'first' option. Most Ports to Switch often come months, if not years after they've been released on much more power driven hardware. It takes a lot more 'work' to get games running on power starved devices with much lower cycles and tick rates. Sometimes requiring modifications to the game/environment and/or have to create new settings/techniques to give a 'similar' enough look.

I wouldn't say Switch 2 has been that well supported by the Modern AAA Publishers/Developers 'yet', but that doesn't mean they don't have plans. Sales too will dictate whether or not they truly embrace Switch 2 - they won't bother if they don't make 'enough' money or think they won't...

I'm sure that this gen will hang around longer than last gen as the cross-over, diminishing returns of upgrading and costs of Hardware will have an impact on next gen sales.

As we saw from this gen, MANY games can and did get released on last gen hardware and I think that devs will continue to target both current and last gen hardware.

MS may well have a USP in that its next gen hardware is more a 'Win11 PC' and allows other gaming Platforms (like Steam, Epic etc) but their Series hardware could still 'exist' alongside for years to come as the 'budget' option with Native and/or Cloud support for all their releases.

I enjoyed the Trilogy and apart from some minor bugs, I thought Andromeda was decent too. Yes the Animations in cut-scenes sometimes weren't the best, but I found them more amusing than annoying. I completed all 4 games and each with everything I could complete, all side missions etc.

I can't say that I'd buy another Mass Effect game, but I also can't say that I'm not interested. It really will depend on the game itself and whether or not it appeals when it finally releases. Its too far off and not enough known yet to have any feelings towards it and I probably won't have any until its nearly due to release.

I think that the 25th Anniversary of a Major gaming brand is bigger than the release of a single IP. It's not as if you can 'delay' or change the fact that 'Xbox' launched 15/11/2001 rregardless of whatever happens 25yrs later.

No doubt MS will celebrate over the course of the year, not just that 1 day, but that 1 day will be the 'Official' 25th Anniversary of the release of Xbox. Whether we will have commemorative 'events' based around the first reveal or first official public use of 'Xbox' in the build up to 15/11, time will tell, but regardless of what releases in that week in November, they can't change that anniversary date.

I wouldn't be surprised that 'no' plans for an OW3 exist yet as they have only just finished the releasing the 2nd and no doubt still have plans for this.

Avowed is now an 'old' game and no doubt that team are more advanced in planning their next project. Just because OW3 isn't 'planned' yet, doesn't mean it won't be at least considered - especially if OW2 is a popular success.

And it could slip further in that time - that's 12mths away. It was delayed from releasing around this time, Holiday 25, for 'polishing' causing several others annoyance who'd moved their release to avoid clashing - then annoyed again because that got delayed moving GTA close to their new release window.

I don't think any Publisher should give release dates out until 6-8mnths before release at the very most - and onlyy then if they are 99.9% sure that the game will be polished and ready to launch on all Hardware its planned for. Unless some 'dramatic event' happens that should impact that date significantly, one that 'Gamers' would understandly accept, the game should be basically finalised and into the polishing stage when its date is 'confirmed'.

I don't mind teasers, Studio's keeping us up to date with what they are working on - work in Progress, some background or concept art with some idea of the game-play loop, Asset and Environmental snippets etc over time etc and then about 6mnths out, put out a trailer with its release date and open up pre-orders, ramp up marketing from 2mnth out...

If it wasn't a 'Halo' game, maybe I'd score it at a 6 at most, but considering the history and predecessors, it was a big disappointment and left me very concerned about the future of the IP and 343 Studio's.

I'd think Fable would release first - just becausse it seems to have ben in development and even showed some game-play quite some time ago.

I think FH6 will be a September-ish release and Halo probably on the 25th Anniversary of Halo in November. Gears is the one that I think will either release around E3 time or slip out of 2026.

Of course, I'm only basing that on when we first knew these games were in development and history of those IP's and previous releases. But until they have official dates and they are the 'next' big game to release, I won't get excited or hyped for any of these.

Seems like Sony are creating their OWN PC Platform to compete with Steam, Xbox PC, Epic etc. At the moment Sony are using 3rd Party Apps to release games on PC but I can't see them giving away games on Steam for example.

I expect that they will launch their own 'Playstation PC' Platform that's linked and synced with Playstation Console and if you buy 'digitally' on Playstation Platforms, you get both Playstation PC and Console versions as the Licence is locked to your Playstation account - Pretty much the same as with MS.

@Fiendish-Beaver That is exactly why the Xbox Console has NOT been competitive in terms of sales with Sony or Nintendo Hardware. A decade ago, with the XB1 flopping, all momentum and trust lost after its disastrous E3 and subsequent release, the cost with insistence of bundling Kinect whilst the cheaper PS4 was superior gaming hardware, Microsoft were in a difficult' position. They only had a handful of Studios too so couldn't suddenly churn out Exclusives to 'fight' back.

They merged Xbox into Microsoft and since then, even if games were 'exclusive' to Microsoft, they still released on their PC platform and Cloud too. You don't need a Series S/X to play Starfield/Indiana etc, you can play them on your old XB1 or mobile, play them on PC.

Since about 2016, The ONLY reasons to buy an 'Xbox' Console is because you either prefer that 'Console' style curated games library with the ease of use Consoles offer - that or it suits your financial situation and quality/performance metrics. Maybe you choose a Series S because its cheap and plays all games well enough for you - and bigger/better library than the cheaper cloud options.

PC gamers, even those on low/mid tier hardware, aren't spending money on Xbox Console hardware when all those games are released on their Platform too. Don't need to buy an Xbox for Game Pass either as they can get Game Pass PC to get the Xbox games Day/Date. They are already on 'Xbox' with their Microsoft OS powered PC anyway...

I do wonder though if Sony are preparing to Launch their OWN PC platform instead of relying on 3rd Party Platforms like Steam/Epic and therefore able to give you both their Playstation Console and PS PC platform versions with the Licence locked to your 'Sony Playstation' Digital account...

@Tasuki It isn't just their Software though is it, its 'their' platform so every game sold - even Physical - contributed to their ecosystem so it is all about 'numbers' in your Ecosystem shopping at your store for ALL your gaming needs. They make so much money because you are 'locked' in to their Console that they'll take a loss on hardware to compensate - also know that most will pay for at least 'Essential' tier Subscriptions to play with their friends.

It makes sense if that's your 'ONLY' platform, but not if you also want to try to compete on your own Open Platform - because now PC gamers - even if they ONLY buy 1st Party Releases because they are only exclusive on MS's store, would still not need a sub or generate as much revenue - hence Game Pass PC. For MS now they can't rely on a 'captive' audience as their 'sole' money maker in gaming which they kind of did themselves by merging with their PC Platform and killed off any 'exclusivity' reason to buy and will choose PS/Switch instead if there is some games they want to play but can't on their PC.

Mobile is another big area they want to 'sell' to and stream your own 'helps' and since 'merging' Xbox has been 'everywhere' except Playstation/Switch, but as you say, that's the 'only' market MS has 'left' to sell to?

It's just these 'single platform/locked boxes' with just a single Storefront that rely on Exclusives to get people 'locked' in with subsidised hardware (low upfront cost) but higher avg running costs (subs, game prices) for a smaller 'curated' library that the Platform holder has vetted...

@Tasuki Couldn't agree more - its Selfish and ignorant. Gamers should be uniting to want to play EVERY game on whatever hardware they 'prefer' to play on. The ONLY reason 'exclusives' exist is to force you to buy their Platform so they can lock you in, extract money from you, keep features/modes etc behind a paywall.

What I find weirdest though is that they can't see that modern consoles are just PC's with a bespoke OS/API's. Its just the OS/API's that the Game Code has to interact with to get the Hardware working to run the game.

I'd much prefer it if EVERY game was on EVERY platform so EVERY gamer gets the same chance to enjoy the same games I enjoyed. We should be uniting to try and make that happen instead of dividing gamers - sometimes even Fans of the SAME Game/IP because of unfair treatment on 1 or more platform - getting 'more' content for the SAME Price for example.

I will accept that a Platform holder (Microsoft, Valve, Sony, Nintendo etc) that also Publishes their own games should be able to release them 'earlier' on their OWN platform to incentivise buying/playing their, but should aim to release within a year on ALL platforms it can run on.

@Cakefish Matter to MS - maybe, but again with context to the entire situation, not 'isolating' it to a single Product. Microsoft may have some resources and licensing tied up with this Collaborative build, but its still within the SAME family as all the other Handheld PC's - inc the OG non Xbox branded Ally's.

The Xbox FSE isn't limited to just these Devices either and EVERY one can and/or will get the upgrade to the revised Windows11 at some point - its already rolling out to MSi Claw and Lenovo Go 2 will get it soon. Its still just a Windows1 PC, like a Laptop/Desktop and PC is much more 'mainstream' than it was 25yrs ago for gaming.

Microsoft are more likely to scrap their Xbox Console Platform than scrap their Xbox PC platform built into windows. The 'merger' is more likely to be finding a way to play your OLD Xbox Console Library on 'new' hardware because 'NEW' releases will be Windows PC versions anyway and for the First Party games, they have Play Anywhere. 3rd Party 'Published' games on 'Xbox' are NOT Xbox Console games, they are 3rd Party Multi-platform releases that you bought a licence to play on the Xbox Console ONLY. AC: Shadows is an Ubisoft owned game - not an Xbox game even if you buy on Xbox. Therefore, MS can't give you a PC version but maybe they can make their PC platform run them.

If you'vee been paying attention, Windows and Xbox OS teams are working together and the success of 'Handheld PC's' in general, not just the Xbox branded one, is equally as important to MS because that too is their OS, their customers etc. The Asus lets them perhaps get more data and feedback than a Lenovo/MSI but ALL PC's, Handheld, Laptop or Desktop, are all part of the SAME family of Platforms.

Sales figures of these don't matter to consumers at all and are meaningless. The fact is that it, along with the first wave of Handheld PC's and current alternatives to the Xbox Ally are basically the same 'Platform' - just slightly different specs or manufacturers. Its exactly the same as playing on a Laptop or desktop PC....

@Tasuki Playstation has Playstation Portal Handheld Gaming device that doesn't play ANY Playstation games natively at all. PS Vita didn't play PS3 games natively yet both were 'Playstation' branded because Playstation is Sony's Gaming Brand. They make Headsets for DJ's/Audiophiles and gamers with their gaming ones Playstation branded.

Microsoft own Xbox, Windows, DirectX etc and EVERY Windows PC/Xbox Console has Microsoft OS at its heart with DirectX API's - and Xbox is named Xbox because it has DirectX in a 'box', just like a PC. A decade ago, Xbox stopped being the Console and gamers whined they had no point buying Xbox anymore because Xbox is on PC, yet today, Xbox can't be on PC, its Console only and Xbox is dead because the Console doesn''t sell like Playstation - its absolutely ridiculous!!

Anyway, back on topic, I'm playing BO7 Day 1 - it seems the most ambitious/experimental campaign in CoD history - can be played co-op with a co-op end game mode, MP, a better version of what we got in BO6 with much better map design and Zombies too which I thought was the best Zombies has been in years. I'd be willing to buy if I didn't have Game Pass because BO6 was easily my most played game of the last year - playing at least 2-3hrs daily - I get the dailies done and then decide whether to keep playing or switch to something else.

I'm also much more likely to buy on 'Xbox' so I get the Xbox PC version too as I'm more likely to buy a Gaming PC than a next gen 'Console' locked to just 1 store/platform with a LOT of games/content/features locked behind an Essential tier (or better) subscription. Therefore I'm only buying games with PC versions inc or buying on my Gaming Laptop/Handheld PC's so I'll have a library to bring forward.

@TheGameThrifter Xbox is Microsofts GAMING brand on ACROSS all their Products/Services - its stopped being the Just the Console when the XB1 nearly killed the Xbox brand altogether. Instead of quitting Gaming, Xbox merged into Microsoft and that enabled them to throw Money at Gaming, buying up Studios etc because they weren't making games just for some cheap, subsidised Console, they were making Games for their PC and Cloud based platforms too.

Play Anywhere gives you an Xbox PC version - as well as the Xbox Console version and Smart Delivery delivers the 'Xbox' version to your Xbox Platform. Game Pass PC is locked to Xbox PC platform too - you don't get the Steam, Epic, Playstation or whatever other Platforms, just Xbox (PC or Console) platform versions.

An Xbox RoG Ally has a Microsoft owned and controlled OS and utilises DirectX API's too, just like an Xbox Console which gets its name because it has DirectX in the Box, just like a Windows PC. The ONLY difference is that PC's are not locked to just Microsoft and their Platform/Store ONLY, you can buy and play on 3rd Party Patforms like Steam or Epic. But that doesn't mean you aren't playing on 'Xbox' if you play via Buying from Microsoft, playing via Game Pass or Play Anywhere regardless of whether that's on a Console or PC - its ALL XBOX and has been for nearly a Decade.

Why are some Console games so ignorant, blinkered or uneducated? Is it any wonder they are so 'easily' confused and can't see outside their tiny little bubble!!

What difference does it make how many sales it has? Do you care how many Asus Strix gaming Laptops were sold or how many Lenovo Go 2's are sold? They are all GAMING PC's too.

Xbox stopped being JUST the Console a decade ago and became MS's gaming brand across all their Products and services. Their PC platform, the place they started developing and publishing games for, is 'Xbox', hence this Asus made Gaming PC in collaboration with MS's gaming division is Xbox branded, like the MetaVR.

If they sell 10k Xbox Ally X's, what difference will that make. It won't be indicative of the 'Popularity' of Handheld Gaming PC's as a Platform as Asus has released 4 diffferent models now, Lenovo and MSi have a few and of course EVERY Gaming Laptop/PC too has exactly the same Library and Xbox PC platform too.

If you want a Z2E based Handheld PC, you have more than 1 choice - the Asus Xbox RoG Ally X is just the cheapest, but the MSI isn't that much more. Sales of a 'Playstation 5' or 'Switch 2' directly indicate the number of gamers on a Sony/Nintendo platform, Sales of Xbox Handheld PC's or Consoles are NOT indicative of anything. You don't even need to buy 'hardware' to play on Xbox on an 'Xbox' Gaming Platform (a MS OS powered device with DirectX API's in the Box - DirectX in a box is 'Xbox' as that's how Xbox name originated) as you can usse a MS App to stream games from MS Hardware/servers.

I really don't get why some are so focussed on Sales. A decade ago were complaining that there no point in buying Xbox Consoles anymore because Xbox is on PC and then expecting MS Consoles/Hardware to suddenly 'sell' years later depite the fact that you still don't need Xbox hardware to play Xbox. Asus, Lenovo, Alienware, MSI etc all make 'Windows' based Gaming Hardware - all of which have the 'Xbox PC' Platform built in - hence Play Anywhere and Game Pass PC - both of which offer the Xbox PC ONLY versions (not Steam, not Epic or other 3rd Party PC gaming platform).

As far as numbers go, I'm sure they made 'enough' to cover what they thought they'd expect to sell in the first few months but not too many that they have unsold stock sitting in warehouses for months or more. Its always better to slightly under-produce than over-produce to meet demand so you cater to demand. Both the Xbox Ally's are part of EXACTLY THE SAME Platform as Asus's previous RoG Ally's as well as Lenovo and MSI Handhelds - which are all the SAME platform as ALL other Windows PC's...

@TheGameThrifter well that's because MS (and previously ABK) don't own those IP's and don't have a 'current' license to make money from those games - either by selling them or selling Subscriptions to play them.

If you bought, you paid for a Licence to play on whatever Hardware you bought it for - in other words, if you bought it for Xbox 360, you can still play it on a 360 as that was what you bought a Licence for.

Neither Microsoft or Activision (ABK) owned Spider-Man, James Bond, TMNT, Transformers etc so those games may well 'never' come to Game Pass or be 're-sold' because that would be breaking copyright and/or Trademark laws.

As for CoD, it doesn't make sense to 'flood' the market with multiple versions of what is basically the same Game. It would be like EA Access having ALL their Fifa Games for the past 20yrs and then wondering why Multi-player or Zombies modes aren't really working as the community is spread out over the 20 odd game instead of the majority playing the latest 2 or 3 games at most...

There are MANY reasons that they may not have or may not choose to put OLD games they've newly acquired into a Sub service. Those that own them can play but they aren't going to put things that maybe 'detrimental' to their current games and/or not theirs (either 3rd Party owned IPs or had some expired Licences - in Music or Brands or even some deals/contracts in place) that prevent them from offering these.

You can still buy some old games, others are delisted for a reason. MS aren't going to spend 'millions' for licences etc to give-away old games on Game Pass that have been 'dead' for years/decades...

I certainly felt like Gears 1 was much darker, more Horror inspired and really put the 'Horror' into a Horrific situation. The second retained some of that but its become more 'action' and toned down the dark, gritty atmosphere to go more 'family' friendly or attract younger audiences.Certainly the Coalition games so far have been more like a jovial romp than a battle for your own right to exist...

I wish this was more a Game Pass Perk and not pushed out to everyone wanting to Subscribe to Ultimate. To me, it feels bolted on to justify their Price increase for EVERYONE - instead of maybe raising the prices by a 'small' margin and offering Fortnite Crew as an Optional Perk to add to your Subscription fee at a 'discounted' monthly fee.

It doesn't add 'games' to my Library, unlike EA Access and Ubisoft+ (even if those games are old and cheap on sale now) and Fortnite itself is F2P anyway so at most, Fortnite Crew should be a 'Perk' like other F2P rewards...

Even if they offered 80% off, I doubt I'd get my Money's worth from it. I think its better to buy whatever Ubisoft game you want in a sale and play it anytime you want without having to subscribe for a month or two to rush through it....

Whilst I don't like to hear about cancellations and job losses in general, I can't say that I was ever interested in, or even likely to play this game. Nothing about it appealed and looking at the screenshots doesn't make me feel like I want to engage...

Difficult to know if that will be possible and sustainable. Xbox stopped being 'just' the Console a decade ago when it merged into Microsoft and became their Gaming Brand so when they say they want 'Xbox' operating at a 30% profit margin, that's across ALL of Xbox, not individual games, but if you know one is 'costing' more than it will make back, its best to cancel at the earliest opportunity - cut all ongoing costs.

Whether they'll sell enough 'Products & Services' to see a 30% profit margin after counting the costs of running Xbox - all the MS Gaming branch, who knows, but they sell their Products/services on a LOT of devices - inc 3rd Party Gaming Platforms like PS and Steam.

@Panda22 Me too! I've got Nebula on EVERY weapon, apart from the new Chainsaw, but Haunted Havoc is too hectic for melee and so much an addictively fun mode in BO6 Zombies!

I enjoyed the survival map in the BO7 Beta and the campaign, which can be played co-operatively, has a camo grind and end game content - that intrigues me, but at my age, I'm more a 'Solo' player - too old to socialise and talk to kids age...

Exactly so buy Play Anywhere and get the PC version or buy games on PC and they'll be playable too natively...

@JLO64 I don't buy games unless they are Play Anywhere these days - not unless they are very cheap in a sale (pocket money costs). I am more likely to buy a PC version of games - even on Xbox store, as I think that they'll be 'Play Anywhere' next gen.

Play Anywhere is unlikely to be popular with a LOT of 3rd Party AAA games and their Publisher/Dev.

They lose 30% to the Platform holder and retailer, so I doubt they'll want to give up 'another' sale on PC when they can make 'more' money - although if you are playing on Console or PC, the majority wouldn't buy again anyway so its 'not' a lost sale, more an added benefit for their Customer to play their game in ANY 'Xbox' ecosystem only - its not like they are being asked to give away a Steam version.

At least Microsoft will support their Xbox Platforms and let you play their games anywhere within their Ecosystem, but I can understand why 3rd Party games (as they are NOT 'Xbox' games, they are EA, Ubisoft, TakeTwo etc multi-platform games that you happened to buy the 'Xbox Console' version of.

If (or when) Microsoft release their Windows11 based 'Console' (Hybrid), I would expect that 'EVERY' Xbox release will be Xbox PC versions - inc 3rd Party Publishers looking to release on 'Microsofts' Platform. It would need to run Windows PC games for Steam, Epic and other 3rd Party PC Gaming Platform apps so EVERY game would effectively be 'Play Anywhere'.

Of course that doesn't mean they'll all be on Game Pass - especially not Day 1, but if the next Xbox is a Win11 based 'PC' too, then all games released for it would be the 'PC' version - even if 'optimised' for a fixed Platform with 'curated' settings for that hardware, you could still change them like a PC

Surely procedural Generation is some form of AI to place approprite assets in the place/areas etc to create the right look. Those aren't placed by Human hand indivdually.

I have zero issues with AI being used to generate 100's of distinctly different diverse crowds of NPC's or used to create the environment, different biomes etc that the 'Game' and all its Game-play mechanics work in.

I have no issue with AI at all as AI could do things quicker, more efficent and 'better' than a team of Humans. If a game is 'broken, incomplete or just generic, cliched, boring etc', I won't be buying/playing - regardless of who/what made it - and I'll Play the games I want to play, I enjoy, and/or release in a polished state even if it was made entirely by AI as the 'game' and its Game-play is much more important to me than who publishes and/or makes the game.

Just got off after gaming for the past 4-5hrs with no issues. I was playing Online and checked the store for deals before I shut down for the evening - either I timed it well or just lucky it seems...

What many 'Console' gamers fail to remember (or never knew) the history of 'Xbox' - so called because MS wanted to bring 'PC' gaming, where they started game development, and Direct X to mainstream gaming so built 'affordable' hardware and created DirectX in a Box (or Xbox as it became known)

Both a Windows PC and Xbox console have a Microsoft OS at its core and both have DirectX API's. A PC is the 'original' Xbox (DirectX in a Box). MS was making games for their Windows Platform before they got into 'Consoles' and their Flight Sim IP is older than Xbox.

When the OG Xbox released, there was a LOT of Console gamers that thought MS were mad to release a 'PC' in a Box, something that big and bulky as it required HDD's and internet connectivity (like PC's), not small and attractive under the TV like console of that era.

A decade ago, Xbox merged into MS and Xbox stopped being 'just' the console and became their gaming Brand. That was also the point that MS stopped focussing on 'just' the Console too and rebranded their OG Windows PC platform - hence 'Every' game since has released Day 1 on PC, Console and 'Cloud' to.

It doesn't matter if you play on a PC, Console or Cloud, if you plat a MS game, you are playing an Xbox game. Doesn't matter if you buy a Console or Windows PC, you are still buying a MS Operating System, so a customer of MS. The only difference really is that a PC has other Platforms as its an 'Open, Multi-platform' device compared to a closed Platform they fully have you locked into on a console.

As tech has improved, yyou can now get 'affordable' gaming PC's so much more accessible than 25yrs ago, much more mainstream.. Is it any wonder that they would 'merge' or streamline their Platforms on PC and Console, try and get them 'both' running the same version of the game instead of having to make multiple versions of the exact same game.

That's where 'innovation' will come - the Software to merge' their two platforms, the 'break' from traditional 'locked' platform devices etc will be innovative, but 25yrs ago, it was 'innovative' for MS, a PC developer to make a Console, built like a PC, to work and become the 'massive' brand 'Xbox' is today across many devices.

Doesn't look that appealing to me, not really my type of game. I don't know if he'll find 'redemption' or get enough sales for that to be realised. It seems somewhat 'niche' to me...

DF are always concerned by devs using a 'generic' engine instead of a Custom built engine as they think every game tends to be very similar 'graphically' even if the artstyle is different. Same 'issues' and/or look in certain aspects like Lumin and of course PC stutter Struggle which has affected a LOT of PC games built on UE5.

I'm sure UE5 will be a lot easier, quicker and much more efficient than their current engine which was built on the remnants of the Original engine created by Bungie. Its been amended and features bolted on etc that its not efficient or easy to work with and you have fewer and fewer devs able to work with it. If you have to spend weeks or months training someone, that is a waste of time/resources when so many Devs maybe familiar with working on a UE based game.

I thought it looked like Halo, almost like I remember it looking back with 'Rose tinted specs' - I obviously 'imagined' it looking more realistic than it was which UE5 does. It looks better than H:I did - maybe not quite as good as the 'in-game' cinematic trailer they revealed Halo with but a LOT better than the Game they shipped.

I wouldn't be surprised if they did to add to their 'Surface' devices - although I do expect it to be more a 'handheld PC' than an Xbox Console - maybe with some hardware or emulation built in to play Xbox Console games natively - which maybe not possible with other Handhelds - Maybe that's why the Xbox Ally has the Z2E AI chip whereas the other Z2E handheld from Lenovo and MSi don't as the AI is required for 'emulating' Series Hardware without using valuable GPU/CPU resources required to run the game well....

To compete with Steam and all other PC based platforms, they cannot charge for Social gaming so it makes sense.

If they were to build a more 'PC' like device that is open to 3rd Party Apps like Steam, who would buy ANY Online social games on the Xbox Platform. Buy on Steam and save having to pay for Essential (or higher tiers) just for Social gaming.

The only way they can add 3rd Party Gaming apps otherwise would be to lock those behind their own Sub paywall - Can't access Steam or Epic unless you subscribe to Game Pass - which would likely push people to 'PC' - there own PC games don't require a Subscription either so if its 'Xbox PC', then how do you charge only on 'Xbox' platform when any other Windows 11 PC won't.

Its archaic to charge for Social gaming when so many games are Social and the hardware is sold as a Social gaming device. Its a product of the early days as Console transitioned from Couch co-op to online gaming.

I understand that it helps with Subsidised Hardware - locking someone to a Platform with only 1 store and a Sub fee (which adds up over the life cycle to additional £100's on top), but really that is anti-consumer and archaic practice these days- although 'traditional' for Console gamers.

Xbox is really the 'king' of Consoles when it comes to Social Games/Gaming. The majority of their first Party IP's have big Online Communities built iup around them - Halo, Gears, Forza, Minecraft (the 4 big franchises they relied on before adding more studios) SoT, Grounded etc as well as acquiring F76, ESO, WoW, CoD etc. Sony and Nintendo were known more for their Single Player games than Social gaming - even though they do offer some...

@Fiendish-Beaver Halo Infinites MP is (or at least was - I don't really play it) Free to Play, you only had to pay for the Campaign which was 'bolted' on to the MP.

Yoou can donload and play juat the MP if that's all you want to play on PC (I believe) but as you require Game Pass on Console to play Online, you kind of do need Game Pass Essential tier at least to play (although I don't know if you still do for F2P games) but I've never tested.

I just remember H:I MP as being Free to Play but the Campaign was sold and bolted into the MP menu and mode to access which kind of annoyed me at the time...

@Fiendish-Beaver The MP is F2P on Xbox so I doubt they'll 'sell' it on PS5 as well. I do expect them to port the Current MP suite or at least remake it in UE5, but I do expect them to bring the 'modern' Halo MP which is Free to Play on Xbox/PC.

They'll make the money by selling the Campaign as an introduction to Halo and the MP will sell Cosmetics, Season Passes and whatever else they offer in the Halo MP store...

I don't think they 'remade' the PvP because that would compete with Halo:Infintes F2P MP that they've spent years on improving, updating and of course all the Forge creations.

I can see them either releasing this as a F2P MP (alongside Halo: CE) on PS5 OR Converting it to a 'new' Engine (UE5), renaming it from 'Infinite' (and removing whatever Stigma is attached to that name) and releasing that simultaneously.

I can't see them not bringing a 'Halo' MP mode to PS5 but I don't see it as part of a 'paid' package as Halo MP is Free to Play on Xbox. Either they bring that to PS5 or rebuild it on a new Engine to match Halo:CE. They'll want to sell Season Passes, Cosmetics etc etc but I do think they'll bring a Free to Play version...

I don't think Halo:CE was that popular as a MP - it was the Story and Campaign that everyone wanted to play - MP was hidden behind a Gold tier Subscription, which only a 'small' fraction of OG Xbox owners had. Halo 2 though, now that was a game that sold 'Gold' as the Online MP was much better and enticed people to subscribe. Of course the 360 era was really when Online gaming took off - CoD4:MW was massive for MS and their Sub service. Therefore I can understand that Halo:CE isn't really remembered for its MP and why its not been remade.

The main competition faced by ALL major gaming Publishers right now is Social Media platforms. Instead of spending time playing games, a lot of gamers are now spending time flicking through tiktok, youtube, twitch etc instead.

If you are spending time on tiktok for example, you are not spending time in a game - regardless of whether that's Xbox, Steam, Playstation, Switch platform, whether that's 1st or 3rd Party published. You aren't spending time in games (no engagement) and not spending money (not buying games, DLC/MTX, etc).

What they are saying is that they fell that Social Media and 'other' forms of entertainment (I use that in the loosest sense) are the biggest competition they face in Gaming. If you choose to play on Playstation, there are Xbox games you may choose to spend time/money in - CoD, Minecraft etc so generating revenue/engagement with Xbox.

If people are choosing to watch tiktok instead of gaming in their leisure time, that's a bigger threat to MS than Playstation. At least if they are on PS, MS can 'compete' for you time/money with their own product releases on PS hardware.

In terms of staff, they may not all of been from those directly involved with making the game - more like providing resources and/or support to the studio to enable them to make the game - photographers, cartographers for mapping tracks, whatever they used to 'scan' cars or record exhaust/engine noise etc, flying out to photograph fo photogramitry or it whatever its called 'in-game' etc

A lot of that can be 'sourced' (locally) and distributed Digitally as and when required for example, deals made, Cad/digital files sent and 'accurate' cars are in Forza - inc their digital audio files. And if co-working more closely with Playground Shared 'resources' and Support their for Turn 10 led Projects.

For me, the only thing that would really bring me back to a 'Forza Motorsport' game would be if Forza made a spiritual succssor to the Rallisport Challenge games (especially 2) back on the OG Xbox days instead of/or with a track based racer. So much creativity and choice of setting for tracks and off-road or gravel sections for different 'physics' and handling, point to point races as well....

I am not playing in Early access and can't say I have 'no' interest at all or that I'll bother to play after launch. I have a little interest in checking it out BUT I also have a massive Backlog of games - some that interest me more than OW2 so more likely to get played first (if I get round to them) and new games releasing adding to my Backlog or occupying my limited gaming time too much to play OW2. Chances are, it will remain as one of those games I may get round to trying, but never find the time/oppoortunity or reason to jump in over the many other gaming choices I have.

@TheGameThrifter

They can't sell consoles because they keep telling people not to buy their consoles. They've been saying people don't need an Xbox since 2016...

And then you wonder why their sales are so low. Its because Xbox stopped being JUST their Console. All Xbox Games are on their 'Xbox' Platforms, hence EVERY Xbox game is on PC, Console, Cloud. They've stated that at every Show since so is it any wonder that the Console is not as popular.

No-one needs to buy a Series console - unless it offers the best bang for buck to suit your budget (inc the Series S and its performance for its cost) or because you prefer or have a history with the Xbox Console - don't want to be bothered with PC's or Cloud options. So 30m for what is not needed or even wanted by a LOT of gamers as they have or 'prefer' to game on PC or Cloud based devices is quite impressive - even if dwarfed by PS or Switch sales. If you have an RTX5090 based PC, what incentive do you have to buy an Series console at all? Games are 'worse' in performance/graphical quality, probably cost more to play - especially online as that requires a Subscription on Console and even Game Pass Day 1 release tier is much cheaper on PC. Even a 'cheap' PC can play Xbox games - if not natively at playable settings, certainly via streaming - point is there is NO pointi in wasting money on hardware you don't need/want...

My old Student laptop or mobile phone can let me play 'Xbox', and my Gaming Laptop plays Xbox games at series X like Graphics but better frame rates. Much better if I reduce Res or use DLSS. Point is Consoles are expensive and not the ONLY option with Xbox. Cheaper options, not just streaming, but PC's - if your willing to game at 1080p (or lower with FSR on Handheld PC's) and 60fps (or even 30fps on Handhelds) with Console like medium/low settings make the need or desire for an Xbox Console 'obsolete' because Xbox is much bigger than just the Console, Xbox is ON PC and Cloud too...

@Markatron84 I wouldn't be surprised if Halo Infinites MP - which is Free to Play on Xbox/PC, doesn't expand onto PS with the release of Halo:CE.

If not the current Halo: Infinite - a 'remake' in UE5 with all the Maps and a 'new' Forge will be released to co-incide with Halo: CE on all platforms - Probably renamed too (Halo: Online) as 'Infinite' may have some stigma or expectation (expect H:I to be remade and released on PS5 too simultaneously) attached to that name.

I do think they'll bring a Halo MP mode to PS to grow their Online community and user base. Maybe that's why its not been mentioned with Halo: CE because Halo MP will be a F2P game on all devices soon...

@TheGameThrifter Yes and? what has Sales got to do with anything? It doesn't change the fact that the Series Consoles for their entire life cycle have only been 1 'option' to play Xbox Games. Most 'new' gamers aren't playing on Console - PC's are far more affordable and mainstream than they were a decade ago, than they were 25yrs ago when Microsoft neglected their PC platform to bring their PC games and DirectX API to mainstream gamers with affordable and subsidised hardware.

As I said, why buy a Series S or X? Unless you 'prefer' the Console type gaming experience a locked, fixed spec and curated gaming device offers or its the 'best' option for your budget (cheap up front costs for hardware that punches above its price point), its not the 'best' or 'only' option for everyone.

Xbox has been on PC for nearly a decade, however, the XB1 did have a period of time when it was the 'ONLY' Xbox platform and of course cheapest way into the Xbox platform. During that life cycle, Games stopped releasing Exclusively as Xbox was merged into Microsoft - PC gamers that maybe bought an Xbox one for Exclusives, now didn't need to play on it as Xbox was on their 'preferred' platform.

Cloud was still very much in its early days with a much more limited library and wasn't 'great' in many places so XB1 still remained as the Cheap entry point.

Now you don't need a Series S - the 'cheap' entry point - XB1S/X owners can stream the games not released on their XB1 Hardware - Starfield, Indiana etc, play on devices they have, inc any PC/Laptop or many iOS/Android devices. A LOT of PC's will still play the latest games at Console like settings (1080/30 with medium/low graphic setings) and it doesn't cost that much more to match/better a PS5 Pro with an intel DLSS based GPU built in.

So EVERY PC gamer, which has become more affordable and Mainstream over the past 25yrs since Xbox brought PC gaming to a 'mainstream' market doesn't need (or want) a Series console. Steamdeck is a fantastic handheld thar many Kids will go on to play on PC rather than a Console for their big screen hardware of choice. So Xbox PC is their 'Xbox' platform on their PC so can offer Game Pass PC with Day 1 releases on their PC patform.

All that will affect their Series hardware sales. the Majority of Xbox gamers don't want or need the Xbox Console because they play on Xbox (PC or Cloud) without wasting money on a 'console' and whatever additional costs are required. Buy CoD on PC, play it all year no sub costs, buy on Console, still need to pay for a year of Essential subs to play it, play via streaming, yes it may have a monthly fee - but no Hardware costs or additional fees required - just a simple monthly subscription and all those games available to play on whatever hardware you happen to be on at that time.

So explain to me why ANYONE, other than those that 'prefer' a Console or it suits their budget best, would buy a Series console when 'Xbox' is on PC and Cloud too - regardless of whether a few games release Day 1 on Playstation hardware too?

@FuzzieGinge88 Actually I think they bought ABK to compete with the likes of TenCent and other massive Gaming businesses. After flopping with the XB1, Xbox, a small side project with a handful of Studios and not much 'budget', was merged into Microsoft and became their entire Gaming brand.

That's why ALL their Games also release on their PC platform - some of them actuallyy released 'first' on their PC Platform - Gears Tactics (which was a launch game on Series hardware), Flight Simulator and AoE4 all released on PC before coming to 'Xbox' Consoles months later.

Play Anywhere, Smart Delivery and Game Pass are locked to Xbox Platforms - console and PC. You only get the Xbox PC versions via Play Anywhere or Game Pass PC, not Steam or Epic PC versions and Smart Delivery to deliver the Xbox PC or Console version you are playing on.

Because Xbox is no longer JUST the Console (and hasn't been for years - hence low Console sales) as you don't need an Xbox Console to game on an Xbox Platform (PC or Cloud - inc streaming 'modern' games to last gen Xbox hardware - don't need to buy the Series hardware to play Indiana Jones or Starfield), they also invested heavily in building up their own Studios/IP's - Bethesda and ABK also had their own PC platform and LONG PC history - older than both Xbox and PS - Blizzard have quite a few PC Only IPs. So arguably these purchases weren't about 'Console' and beating 'Sony' on Console sales as NONE of their games are 'exclusive' to the Xbox Console ONLY - they will ALL release on Xbox PC and WoW is PC only anyway so more about Competing on their 'PC' platform against third Party PC platforms like Steam.

ABK games release on PS anyway - or have so far so it was a Purchase for their entire Gaming brand on PC, Console and Cloud - not just their Console, and increase their Gaming revenue to be one of the biggest Gaming Publishers in the world

@armondo36 still anazed at some opinions of 'console' only gamers.

A) What reason for the past decade have you needed to buy an Xbox? Since the XB1 flopped hard and so MS merged Xbox into MS instead of 'quitting' gaming, there has been NO reason to buy an Xbox. PC gamers don't need to buy an Xbox because Xbox is on PC and has been for a decade - All games release Day/Date on Xbox platforms (PC, Console Cloud) so if you have a PC or Xbox hardware, you get Xbox games released on their Xbox Platform Day 1 and can play Day 1 on many devices via streaming - all without needing to buy an Xbox Console specifically. Playstation may get historic games (minecraft, CoD, Doom etc), 'old' games (even if they are remastered/remade, still an old game at its core - Gears remastered, Halo:CE) and Social games (Sea of Thieves, FH5) to build up Online communities but they still have Exclusives (even if timed) like Starfield, Avowed, South of Midnight, Fable, Clockwork Revolution etc...

Also Xbox offer Play Anywhere/Smart Delivery so you get the Xbox version for your Platform (Xbox PC or Console) and Game Pass too is locked to an Xbox platform - Xbox PC, Console or App. So Xbox offers more 'choice' in how you want to play Xbox Products or access Xbox services.

B) the Next Xbox is most likely to be an 'Xbox PC' Windows 11 based device, not subsidised as it won't be locked to Xbox ONLY. But if you want to bring your Xbox Library forward, it will be the ONLY next gen hardware to do so. Chances are, they won't be charging for Online Gaming with Friends (unless they find some way to lock you to their Platform only without at least an Essential tier Subscription) but you won't get ALL Xbox games on Playstation or Xbox services, I doubt they'll offer 3rd Party Platforms like Steam/Epic so a much smaller library - you could play Playstation games on your Xbox PC even if they don't release on a Microsoft owned Platform...

Its a 'choice' but maybe you can stream Xbox games on your old Xbox anyway so don't need to upgrade....