BAMozzy

After so many years and multiple Studio involvement, they were only working on a 'playable' Proof of Concept - which we know had to be played a very 'specific' way for smoothness. This was only 'part 1' of an episodic adventure? How long before Part 2? another 7yrs or so?

Whilst I am disappointed we won't be getting Perfect Dark now, I understand why it was Cancelled. It still seemed 'years' away from release so we wouldn't likely have seen it until 2027 at the earliest...

@AccessibleDaydream Games aren't 'complete' these days at $70 - they all release with special editions with Extra content - even if that content doesn't come at launch. Its hardly a Complete game when there is still content/features etc to come 'post' launch and post launch, when the game is patched/fixed and now complete too, its a LOT cheaper to buy.

@shoeses Exactly - those exclusives are what will keep Playstation Hardware necessary and what Sony 'need' to get you into their ecosystem. They don't have their own PC platform - at least not yet and 3rd Party Platforms like Steam and Epic are enoughh to generate 'additional' income but its not hurting their 'Console' grip.

With Xbox releasing games 'everywhere', their Hardware loses some of its 'uniqueness' - MS know it too but its not their only Platform and arguably not their 'biggest' either. You buy an Xbox because it suits your budget and/or how you prefer to play your games - you don't 'need' an Xbox for 'Xbox' games these days - they are all on Cloud or PC too.

I think Sony will still want to keep its 'Uniqueness' in the Console space with its Single Player games and certainly won't 'port' to Xbox - if your Xbox plays PC games, that's different to them 'officially' releasing an Xbox version.

@BacklogBrad I still don't think you'll see many (if any) this Generation at least. They also could be thinking that all those Xbox/Microsoft gamers, if they suddenly do get access to Steam, Epic etc, then they don't 'need' to give Microsoft 30% to sell a 'specific' Xbox version, they'll buy and play via those and at NO cost to Sony to 'port & support' a different platform. Its not just the cost to release, but ongoing costs to support (fix/patch, optimise etc) at least it should be 'complete' games with DLC included if released rather than ongoing support with DLC as 'new' games are these days.

But the point is, with Microsoft looking to add Steam to Xbox (potentially) then why would Sony release their 'PC' games on Xbox? They can still get sales from those that really want to play but on Xbox Hardware through their PC release and don't give MS 30% for selling it on their Store/Platform specifically - its still not 'officially' released on Xbox yet still making money via PC at 'NO' additional cost to them?

That $21 is just for being the retailer/platform holder - no additional costs to MS involved so $21 Profit - the rest has to pay for all the porting work and testing work and getting it ready, advertising and any ongoing support as necessary, all the costs of developing that specific version to 'run' on that hardware with its unique spec, OS and API's at the level expected, etc are on the Publisher so its not all 'Profit' to them...

That's why I doubt we will see it unless its a Live Service game and they really want to expand their ONLINE Community as big as Possible, which in turn helps bring in more revenue and growth rather than stagnate and/or die. Their Single Player games that Sony believe is their USP, stay on their Console, They still release on PC a year or two later, but Xbox players have to wait for the PC version like everyone else....

@BacklogBrad It's not just their Playstation fans that would be angry/upset, but I doubt Sony themselves would want to 'help' Microsoft and gift them 30% of all sales on their Hardware too - their Direct rival and now in terms of Gaming reenue, behind MS. I don't know how that would sit with the Japanese Company culturally.

I do think it makes sense! As I have said, I really don't agree with Exclusives at all, but I do understand why they exist. I also understand that those are 'Assets' but generally only make Revenue and/or sell hardware (the point of 'exclusives' is to get you onto that Platform) for a short time. Retail sales of the game drop and new 'exclusives' release to sell Hardware. Therefore these Assets are not making 'money' anymore so why not release 'everywhere' you can to maximise the Revenue from those 'Assets'.

In the Past, they've re-released games, sometimes more than Once again - remastered or repackaged or re-built so they can still have 'value' in their own ecosystem. Sony have a LOT of remasters/ports etc of their older games on newer Hardware so I wonder whether or not they would rather keep those Single Player games that has 'little/no' ongoing revenue stream (like Live Service/Online games), the games Sony believe separate them from ALL other Publishers/Developers and makes them, their platform 'Unique'. If they aren't also trying to sell Cosmetics, season passes or in-game Currency, given their Rival their 'Unique' games for 'less' money than they get from their own Gamers (all 100% as opposed to 70% from Xbox) maybe a step too far and fear that could impact them 'long term'.

There are people discussing Xbox as if its a Mistake for them to release their games on PS5 - that 'loss' of exclusivity, that 'loss' of maybe a Console sale or two - certainly releasing Day/Date on PC has had a big impact as PC gamers now don't buy Xbox hardware like they did during the Xbox and 360 era. There is NO point as EVERY Xbox game is released on their preferred PC platform. But like I said, I don't think ANY game should be Exclusive and I do agree that 70% is still better than 'nothing', however, I still wonder if Sony will go that far - unless they get really desperate for Revenue.

@BacklogBrad Whilst I do agree that their games could literally print money for Sony if they released them on other Consoles - after all they aren't 'exclusive' to Playstation anymore, I can see a LOT of Sony Fanboys thinking they'd 'shoot themselves in the foot' if they did.

Personally, I'm not a fan of 'exclusives' at all. I do understand why they exist as incentives' to get you to buy that Hardware, get you into their ecosystem and make money off of you - not just by buying the 'exclusives' but ALL the games/DLC/Content for that hardware. Platforms can make more money from a 3rd Party multi-platform game than they do from their OWN exclusives....

I don't know if Sony wiil release their big single player games on Xbox, giving 30% of the sale price to MS and reducing their 'Console' exclusives. Maybe last gen (or older) games remastered as they may feel they aren't associated with their 'new' Hardware to impact sales and old enough that it won't be a PR disaster for their Fanboys too

I'll doubt I'll watch it live and just watch the video's of Games I'm interested in once they are uploaded to Youtube.

@abe_hikura Not universally and/or across 3rd Party Published games. If you have a game on Xbox and buy it on Steam, there is no guarantee that your Progression will carry over across different Platforms.

PC has multiple Platforms - its not a 'single' platform like Sony's PS5 for example. You have Steam, Epic, Battlenet, GoG etc and just like you don't get Spider-man on Steam because you own the PS version, you don't get the Steam version of Xbox games with Play Anywhere or Game Pass. Your game 'save' may not work across different Platforms, even if it works across the 'same' ecosystem (if that ecosystem has multiple Platforms like MS do).

This is supposed to take a save regardless of Platform and enable you to transfer that across multiple Platforms so you can continue progressing.

I hope its more Optional or at least can be controlled on a game by game basis. I've bought multiple versions of the SAME game on different Platforms and had a different playthrough, made different choices etc - my playthrough of The Witcher 3 on XB1 and PS4 for example were quite different. Some games I may want to transfer Saves, others not so much...

@abe_hikura I'm sure that Valve may well choose to build a more 'Console' like box - or maybe something Switch like - as in another Handheld with a Dock for Big Screen play.

I am sure there are some that would be interested in converting to SteamOS because of Windows, But I do wonder if many would as it would limit there PC to 'just' Steam and may impact somee of their other uses of their PC - if they do more than just game on it.

I do think that MS will consider expanding this Windows OS to any PC, not just those Low Powered Handhelds - its just that these are the Priority Focus (particularly Asus devices who they are Partnering directly with) but we know they intend it to roll out to other devices in the future. I can see it coming to Laptop/Desktops too.

I can also see them using this in their next Console, however I don't think they'll supply the Full suite, not the Parts they switch off in Gaming Mode so you can't switch to Windows Desktop. I can see them making Apps (like Steam or Battlenet) and therefore ANY games using them require Game Pass Core - otherwise who'd buy Online games from MS that require Game Pass when Steam versions don't - either that or they'll have to scrap the 'Online Social Gaming' part of Game Pass.

Going back to SteamOS on PC's, I'm sure that 'some' will be interested, just like I think some would be interested in a Gaming Optimised Windows OS over the Full Desktop, and others are OK with the Full Windows because they play games from multiple platforms (not just steam) and/or use their PC for other things too - like Content Creation or business...

Based on that Tomb Raider example, just switching between Full Desktop and Gaming Mode see's a 30% increase in Performance and that's with exactly the same Z1 Extreme chip - the Z2 Extreme chip is also going to improve Performance too.

@abe_hikura The difference is that most Desktop users will be running Windows 11, not SteamOS so those using Steam still have to deal with the Windows Bloat. Desktops though also can throw a LOT more power to the chip, essentially brute force Performance. If you have 64GB of System RAM and 12GB+ of VRAM on your GPU, saving 2GB is inconsequential, you probably never fill the RAM anyway.

The reason its become so 'important' for MS now is because of these extremely low powered devices with limited resources. 24GB is not a LOT of RAM when shared so saving 2GB is important. Not wasting precious power on unnecessary process - especially when you are starving it of power - only 10-15w. That 'bloat' has a far bigger impact.

Windows is designed as a Multi-tasking OS - enabling you to run multiple Apps, multiple different types of programmes (Buisiness, Leisure, Creating/consuming content etc) simultaneously. That's why Xbox and Windows team worked together to create a Windows 11 that boots to 'Game' Optimised mode, ensuring unnecessary processes are turned off so its more 'efficient' - which is mostly required for the most resource starved 'gaming' devices such as Handheld.

I guess they could use that for their Console.. They don't have to provide the other Processes of a Full Desktop - in other words, that FSE is the OS and UI, you cannot switch to Full PC Desktop mode so it still runs all Windows PC games but time will tell...

@Millionski 4) and yes I will get to play 100's of games at NO Cost on my RoG Ally - because I paid for Game Pass Ultimate on Console - I'm not paying again just because I now have a PC - this just lets me play those Games ANYWHERE where as my Console does NOT - but its where I spend most of my Gaming time on. The ONLY games I'm likely to play on this are likely to be the exact same games I play on my Console, but for whatever reason, cannot play on my Console at that moment. I already have hundreds of games I can play at NO extra Charge whether I own a PC or NOT because of Game Pass Ultimate and Play Anywhere. I have NO Steam games and whilst the Handheld is a PC, its also the Closest to an Xbox Handheld Console and unlike Playstations Portal, plays games Natively.

5) The reason I am jumping into PC is more because of Play Anywhere and PC Game Pass - ALL Xbox First Party Games are likely to be Play Anywhere because its a Microsoft initiative. If MS weren't releasing all their games Day/Date on PC, on Game Pass, then I would have NO interest in a PC or PC handheld. Whilst 3rd Party software isn't Play Anywhere, its not as if I can't play those games if I really wanted. I'd still rather buy a System that gives me access to hundreds of games I already play/own than give me NO games. Of course I'd like my entitre Library, but most of the games I'm likely to play are Play Anywhere (if I buy on Xbox) and/or on Game Pass.

6) some may well choose to get a PS6 instead of the next Xbox and some may well transition entirely to PC, but I will likely end up with BOTH a PS6 and Next Xbox Consoles because NEITHER will release their Games Day/Date on their Rival Platforms - ONLY MS release their games on PC day 1 and certainly don't release everything on PS. Therefore you still miss out and may not get to play ALL thev games you want. Which goes back to One Gaming Hardware that Plays EVERY game but is also a Console.

7) And again, proving how ignorant and/or rude you are, the fact that MS as the ONLY Console Platform Holder with a PC Platform is making it Easier for me to play 'their' games on a Handheld Natively is a major reason I'm bought a Handheld PC - and the fact I can also play Sony games (If I rebuy) and ALL those OLD Console games via Emulation (Inc Nintendo/Sega Classics) is a BIG Factor. I'd love it if Sony embraced Play Anywhere and PS+ allowed me to play Playstation PC releases on a PC - but they don't so I ONLY play those on my PS5. As I said, I play 100% of my time on Consoles - but I could spend more time gaming with a Handheld due to not being tethered to a Display/power socket. 30-60mins whilst the wife watches something and then I can get on my Console after playing the SAME game at NO extra cost, carry my progression on. That isn't 'Fanboy', that's Common Sense. Buy the Hardware that you have the 'most' transferable Games, services etc - and on an Xbox site, I focus mostly on Xbox based Content. But like I said, I can still play God of War or Spider-man on a Handheld, just like I could play BF6 despite it not being 'Play Anywhere' - but I'd buy it for Console because I play mostly on Console...

@Millionski 1) I can't play it on my Consoles - where I currently play 90% of my games and don't want to 'build' a PC to be my 'Console' connected to a TV. The 'Handheld' is supplemental and I am not likely to buy many (if ANY) games for a Handheld that may not get used for 'weeks' because I have access to my Consoles.

2) I don't want to build a PC as it will cost 'more' than a Console to deliver at least a presentable 4k image when I love the simplistic Plug/Play nature of Consoles and as I have stated, far more Cheaters on PC so I like having the option to turn Cross-play off and play with my 'Console' based friends/Family.

3) it maybe a small step for Microsoft, but the fact they don't charge for 'their' PC versions of their Console games and has Game Pass too means that ANY Windows platform is ultimately much better than Steam for my Library and Games - yes not ALL are playable, but most of the 5yr+ games I've played and finished. I have NO steam games and its certainly not great for my PS games or PS+ Subscribers but at least I don't have to buy games to have 'something' to play on it...

I think its a very difficult situation for Global businesses right now and that is the major reason for their 'Lack' of transparency, commitment and/or Communication.

They could announce a price and a week later, get hit by some Tariff or issues with their supply chain of certain materials/parts that suddenly means its costing them significantly more to manufacture and distribute.

I know its frustrating and annoying for consumers - we've seen Consoles going up in price, not down despite years on the market, Companies closing down Studios and shedding staff and some markets 'collapsing' or sanctioned so can't trade there anymore, losing a chunk of potential sales revenue.

I think some are waiting for Economic forcasts, Interest rates/inflation - they don't want to announce a Price and within a few months have to put their prices up but don't want to price it 'high' that it doesn't sell at all but also maybe won't see a price increase in the first year or two

And yes I know Steam doesn't charge for Online access - like Consoles do, but I'd still not want to be locked to Steam or have a pretty useless Handheld because Windows 11 on such 'weak' hardware is not great. at 10-12w a Steam deck performs well against a RoG Ally (OG) capped to 10-12w, but 25 and even 35w plugged in modes beat it with Windows 11. The new Z2A Extreme is ~30% more efficient and works much better at 'lower' power modes and blows the Steamdeck away. Just check out Doom: the Dark ages on Steamdeck and the previews coming in from the new Handhelds - Xbox Ally X avg over 80fps at 1080p and medium/high settings, Steamdeck - 30-40fps, 800p Low settings.

And no I don't find it Hypocritical. I played on Console for 30yrs after a decade or more of PC gaming because PC gaming was too expensive and many games were 'exclusive' to Consoles (inc Xbox - no Play Anywhere or equivalent back then). I have ALWAYS said I would much prefer a single Box built for Gaming (like a Console), but able to play ALL (or at least a very high %age of) games I want to play - it ANNOYS me that games are Exclusive at all. I believe you should buy Hardware and EVERY game is playable - which is why I didn't buy a Steamdeck - why I bought a RoG Ally and have games to play without having to buy any games to play on it. When I buy the Xbox Ally, I again will have 'hundreds' of games I can choose to install at NO cost, but buy a Steamdeck and I have NO games I can play.

The point is that I want access to every game on ONE hardware. I can play Spider-Man or God of War too on my RoG Ally - although I would need to buy again but maybe I won't buy a Playstation next gen, just wait for them to release on PC - all of Xbox games are Day 1 on PC and may have to use Steam or Epic for PS games. I'm fed up with having to own multiple Hardware just to play a few games exclusive to a specific Platform - and as Microsoft has BOTH a PC based and Console Platform, they are the ONLY publisher with both Platforms - one a 'closed' system the other Open to other Platforms too.

Part of the reason for 'transiitioning' back to PC and that OPEN Platform is the affordability of a 'Gaming' PC. To Play Doom (the OG) required an 'expensive' PC to play at 'reasonable' quality/frame rates - now a Handheld PC can play Doom the Dark Ages with Console like Quality/Performance and Console like money.

Gaming PC's are now far more affordable and a LOT more capable than ever before and now MS too are recognising the need to make a much more gaming focussed OS for extremely low powered devices, Laptops/Desktops consume a LOT of Power and by sheer brute force deliver performance Consoles can't - so when limiting Power to ~25w and built into something so small, its not wasting resources on 'bloat'. It doesn't matter if the System uses more RAM when you have excess - way more than a game 'needs' but more important if limited...

@Millionski The reason Steam is trying to be a 'Console' like experience on PC is because it makes them Money, locks them into their Steam Ecosystem with their Steam OS and doesn't work well with ALL Windows/DirectX 12 games.

Of the 1300+ Xbox Play Anywhere games, bare in mind that has only been going a few years and NOT supported by every 3rd Party Publisher, I still have about 20 or so games + another couple of 100 or so I can play via Game Pass - compare that to 0 Steam games and for someone who predominently plays on Console (Both Playstation and Xbox), It makes zero sense buying a SteamDeck or wanting SteamOS to be locked into 'Steam'. Pretty much ALL my upcoming Xbox game Purchases will be Play Anywhere (or on Game Pass PC). I buy hardware for 'new' games, not necessarily OLD games I own and haven't touched for 5yrs+

The whole point of Windows is that its a Multi-platform OS and was built for Multi-tasking - playing games, creating Content, for Businesses as well as Leisure activities, for research and/or development. That's why its a LOT more versatile but also more 'bloated' than something that's ONLY meant for gaming. That's why MS and Asus are making a 'Handheld' Windows mode that turns off numerous Processes and Optimised for Gaming, the UI is designed for Controller - but unlike a Steamdeck, you can also turn on those Processes and have the Full PC experience, full access to ALL Platforms inc Battlenet, Bethesda.net, GoG, Epic and of course Steam.

It maybe somewhat Circumstantial, particularly with the Games I play, but when it comes to encountering Cheaters, they all have the 'steam' Logo (not Battlenet), and part of the reason is Steam allowing Multiple accounts with the same Contact details so if they get banned, they just jump into their other account. On Console, if they are banned, they maybe can create a new Account with 'new' Contact details inc a new Mobile number which adds to the cost. Also if they bought Digital (the only option on Steam), they'd have to rebuy the game - that is why its 'easier' for Cheaters to use Steam. Not to say that ONLY Steam users cheat, just that they favour Steam because its easier for them to cheat with less risk/consequence.

Going back to Play Anywhere, whilst historically its struggled for Support (outside of Microsoft Published games), but I have seen a LOT more games coming that I would want to play on BOTH my Handheld and Console and I don't want to buy twice. Yes some maybe on Game Pass too so I can choose 'not' to buy, but if I want to play games like Expedition 33, Doom, Starfield, Fable, Gears, CoD, Forza, Grounded, Outer Worlds 2, Robocop, Silksong, Hollow Knight, Mortal Kombat 11, High on Life, Indiana Jones, Atomfall, Lies of P, South of Midnight, State of Decay, Space Marine, Darktide, Ninja Gaiden etc etc etc on PC and Xbox Console, I only need to buy once on MS's store.

@Millionski And that's a typical response from you - someone points out the Facts and so you result to insults. If you can't handle people criticising something you obviously are a Fan of, to the point of behaving ignorantly, then maybe don't engage. Yes Steam maybe the most popular PC platform, but its also not the ONLY - which SteamOS ONLY caters to.

Why would a Console gamer have ANY 'steam' games? The reason I have PC games is because of Xbox - Play Anywhere and Game Pass games so why the hell would I want to be on the CHEATERS Platform of Choice? The Platform that allows so many Cheaters to ruin Games. I'd rather buy from Battlenet or EA or Ubisoft or Bethesda etc than use a third party run and pretty much locked to Steam. Why would I want to take a 'versatile' and unlocked Platform and lock it to just 'Steam?

The only games I'm likely to ever play on Steam is a game I can't get ANYWHERE else and desperate to play. I don't want a Handheld locked to ONLY Steam so SteamOS and Steam Sucks for Multi-platform Gaming. Windows is a Multi-platform gaming OS - Steam, Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo OS are SINGLE Platform OS.

As I game predominently on Console, and have done for the past 30yrs, None of my games are 'Steam', The Only PC games I own are Microsoft Play Anywhere games I bought on Xbox and as a Game Pass subscriber, have Game Pass PC so don't need to join cheater central Steam...

Steam may well be the 'closest' to a 'Console' like Platform on PC but that doesn't make it the best or ONLY option - and I don't want to be limited to Steam on a Proper PC - even in a Handheld format. The reason I want Windows 11 is because SteamOS is locked so a Steamdeck is basically a Steam ONLY console (unless you install Windows) and won't let me play the hundreds of PC games I have access to.

@Millionski Steam SUCKS and SteamOS is NOT an OPTION for ANYONE who doesn't want to be part of Steam. There are a LOT of other Platforms on PC - inc Microsoft/Xbox (where the vast majority of MY and many Xbox gamers PC library exists), Epic, Battlenet, GoG etc.

SteamOS is also Linux based - and the Proton Layer that is supposed to be a 'Windows' emulation layer for games that are Windows based don't all run that well and some don't run at all because it doesn't 'work' with all the Win11/Direct X 12 features - like Direct storage.

If I wanted a second rate, dated handheld locked to ONLY Steam out of the Box, a Platform that's renown for facilitating Cheaters, when ALL my PC games are also not on Steam, a very limited OS that's 'emulating' Windows/DX12, a Handheld that even my OG RoG Ally beats in performance, let alone a Xbox Ally could offer with its 20-30% boost in its chip and a much more Efficient and far less Bloated OS. On a Steamdeck, you have to install 'Windows' to get the Full functionality of the 'PC' and PC gaming - otherwise, you are just limited to Steam!!! With this, you have the full Windows built in but boots in a Gaming Optimised mode that already saves quite a bit of resources that can now be utilised by Games as well as a UI designed for Controller - that is what MS and Asus together have been working on - they know SteamOS has 'optimised' for gaming where as Windows was designed as a Multi-purpose, multi-tasking OS - not a problem when Desktops can chuck a LOT of resources and Power through. 2GB of RAM is nothing when you have 64GB and 16GB VRAM, chucking 400w+ of power compared to 24GB total RAM and 10-35w of power. That's why MS are making an 'Optimised' Windows for 'Handhelds' - a much less 'Bloated' Windows that already beats Devices with similar Chips in performance tests, that trounces a Steamdeck. Steamdeck is old tech and SteamOS is more limiting so I see it as more like Steam making a 'Console' that is pretty much locked to Steam and not 'useful' to those who have games on other PC platforms or Subscribe to Game Pass PC.

@Ricky-Spanish It also happened in the BF6 Beta too - it didn't take long for the cheaters to target that too...

I am perfectly fine with a Console only Option, but I am also concerned about the 'Xbox' Ally version of things like BO7 & BF6. I know a LOT of Cheaters use Steam because they can easily create lots of accounts if any get banned to jump straight back in, but I'd want to play with the SAME friends on Console regardless of what Platform I play on in the same Game Pass ecosystem, without having to play with ALL PC players...

Still its the minority that ruin things for Everyone so options like this are necessary. It's a shame that no Anti-cheat is (or it seems can be) 100% efficient in detecting cheaters before they've even got into a lobby, let alone detected the minute they turned on a cheat (if it wasn't enabled before), and let that cheater spend any time in the game to actually prove they were cheating, so I expect cheats will get through making it 'necessary' to have these options. No cheaters, no need to segregate yourself away from the rest of the community of fans...

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how Xbox handles that aspect if not for their Ally, their long term 'multi-platform' approach goes - playing Black Ops 7 on Game Pass on either a PC or Console shouldn't be a 'different' platform, and in some ways it isn't, but in others...

@DonkeyFantasy It does - basically the same thing, but unlike the Xbox version, that ALWAYS boots to the Full Windows 11 Desktop with the full Windows 'Bloat'.

The 'Xbox' Ally boots to the Xbox 'App' in an Optimised Windows mode which is 'locked' to the Xbox Store/Game Pass - essentially booting straight to 'Xbox' like Steamdeck boots to Steam. So MS are usng this so you can just switch on and jump straight into ANY installed game very quickly without having to switch to the Full Windows mode (which requires restarting if you want the 'optimised' for gaming mode with some Windows processes turned off) or load up another app before you can start playing...

Yes it may not be a 'New' concept, but Xbox is a Single Platform locked to single retailer (and that is true for their PC Xbox app too) so for Microsoft to let you access games from a different Platform is quite a big thing. Asus, who doesn't have their own 'gaming' platform, as well as other 3rd Party Apps that maydo the same too, don't have their own Store/Game Sales to 'protect'.

Of course its not going to be as easy as buying from Microsoft on a Microsoft App, but at least they are making it 'easy' to access your games bought on anothers platform!!

@Millionski Its an Xbox based app so of course it links to Xbox Store and Game Pass versions of games in its 'app/hub'. You can't buy games from Battlenet or Microsoft on Steam - just the 'Steam' version. I don't know if Steam OS would let you access Game Pass/windows installed games from their Hub as I don't own a SteamDeck - but I know you can't access Game Pass (not Native PC - only Cloud streaming through the SteamOS Browser) unless you install Windows 11.

The point is that you don't have to leave whatever 'home' screen or App, all your 'installed' games are ready to access on 'boot-up' - just like a 'Single' Platform device like a Console. Instead of having to load up steam to play your Steam games or Battlenet or whatever 'PC Platform' your game is on, you can jump straight in with the 'Optimised for Gaming' windows OS.

Its better than having to swap Apps to swap between different platforms or 'worse' on these handhelds, boot into the Full Windows 11 desktop mode to find some of your installed games when all you want to do is switch on and jump straight into an installed game. Yes if you want to browse the store and/or buy games, download/install owned games etc on another platform, you may have to load up their App specifically but that's pretty much standard - Steam won't let you access the Windows/Xbox store, Battlenet etc because its their Competition for a Sale. I don't think Steamdeck would let you Play Call of Duty because you bought it on Battlenet/Windows or got it through Game Pass - but they'll direct you to the Steam version to 'BUY'...

@Pat_trick It again comes down to the Devs and their Plan. If they built it with all the bells, whistles and new 'features' without considering the range of Hardware they intended to release on, then find they have to try and get that game to 'run' on low spec Hardware, then the Series S is holding them back...

But if the design their game with Series S in mind, they can 'optimise' as they go and use it to shape their 'development' plan. If 60fps is the 'minimum' standard they want a game to run on Series S, then building/optimising throughout to hit that on Series S ends up benefitting the more powerful hardware - maybe even unlocking 120fps modes and/or higher graphical settings than they expected...

A simple case of considering the lowest Spec Hardware you plan to release on and tailoring your game to run at your minimum desired level for that hardware during development so that you can scale up for more powerful devices.

The Problems tend to occur when Developers don't consider the lowest spec, continue to build on 'High Spec' Hardware and then at the end try and port it down and 'scale' it. Some processes don't scale with Graphical tweaks - AI for 50 enemies, Physics and hit detection doesn't scale with resolution or Shadow Quality settings for example and if AI takes too long for 60fps game-play, it doesn't matter if you run the game at 240p, you still won't hit 60fps.

It makes sense that if you design you game to run at say 60fps on the 'weakest' spec you plan to launch on, then its 'easy' to scale up....

I liked the First Far Cry and wish they'd have continued more along that path.

Nowadays I feel like Ubisoft games are built on a template and once you've played one, the rest are very familiar feeling even if they do differ in Combat style. The same basic underlying Structure runs through them all - Avatar, Far Cry, Assassins Creed, Star Wars: Outlaws etc.

I have NO interest in a Far Cry MP or Live Service game, chances are I won't buy another Ubisoft game until its so much cheaper and complete - all content and DLC out - wait until its no more than £20 (the Gold/Complete Edition, not the standard edition which I won't buy)

@Cakefish It wasn't about Frame Rate Parity but Parity in Content and design. AI and Physics are often CPU processes and don't scale with Resolution. If you have 100 enemies each with their own AI and Physics, the same resources are required to process that at 1080p or 4k.

The Series S is the 'equivalent' to the Xbox One S of the previous Generation - like both that and the PS4 compared to XB1X and PS4 Pro hardware, you often didn't get 60fps modes on the higher spec consoles because it was the CPU preventing 60fps, not GPU. In fact some games that 'offered' 60fps would still drop frames in CPU intensive moments - Tomb Raider was one - despite dropping 4x the resolution, it still couldn't deliver a locked 2x improvement.

If you buy a Series S, you can't expect to get exactly the same 'Performance' metrics - If the reason its limited to '30fps' at say 1080p is GPU, then a 3x more powerful GPU should run it at 60fps if not higher at the SAME graphical standard. However, if the game is limited to 30fps on Series S because of CPU, then its likely to be 30fps on PS5 and Series X too because they are have similar spec CPU's. The Series S is clocked a 'bit' slower than Series X but really just means that things like Physics, AI and whatever other CPU based Processes don't need to be 'scaled down' - instead of 100 enemies, only get 80 on screen for example or change the Environment so the CPU has less Drawcalls to send to the GPU - point is, CPU bottlenecks often require changes to the Game or Game-play so its not quite the same game.

GPU on the otherhand can be scaled up or down depending on the resources. Therefore there are games - like Gears of War, that offer 120fps just like the Series X. If a game runs at say 1080p FSR 30fps on Series S, then a Series X may well be able to offer 60fps at the same graphical setting, but you wouldn't want to play at say 540p FSR just for 60fps - the Series X may well offer a 4k FSR 30fps Quality mode, but because 1080p FSR is stil pretty good (its what the Series S delivers), its acceptable to offer a 60fps Performance mode...

If you owned an XB1S, you should expect a Similar 'difference' - The XB1X and Series X both having Performance modes and/or extra graphical features. Some games were 30fps on BOTH because CPU was the limiting factor - not GPU!!

Well as you can play Game Pass on a Browser, any device that has a Browser and an internet connection is able to play Game Pass. Its no different from LG/Samsung TV's..

I see cloud as more of a supporting option than a main platform - a way to play your games in certain situations - like a Car journey for example. Its not possible to plug a Console in to a display 'everywhere/anywhere' so Portable devices and/or Cloud offer a lot of utility to supplement your 'Main' Hardware.

I mostly use cloud these days to try some games on Game Pass before I decide if I will bother downloading - sometimes its not worth downloading at all if I have to move or delete games I'm still actively playing for a 2-3hr 'Indie' game so I'll play it entirely over Cloud - but more often than not, I only use it to try something 'quickly' as downloading can take hours so I play it first via Cloud and if I decide I'll want to keep playing, I'll download overnight.

I really don't understand the animosity towards offering Cloud gaming and on so many different devices. Cloud is aimed more at the 'casual' and/or more budget limited - its the cheapest 'entry' point to the Xbox ecosystem - its also got the most limited Library access too, but its exceptionally 'affordable' - a small 'monthly' fee and you probably have some devices already you can play on. And the following month can cancel if you want.

Native Hardware gaming requires a purchase of Hardware first so has a larger 'up-front' cost and Consoles require a Subscription to unlock Games, Modes, features etc. To play CoD for a year, not only do you need to buy the game, but pay another $60 a year to access it. So add that on to the price of whatever Console tier, and its 2-3x more expensive.

Anyway, I just see Cloud as the entry point and at most 'supplemental' to a dedicated hardware based gamer....

@Ricky-Spanish CoD games have music and have had licensed weapons, vehicles and even Actors likenesses - all of which could be the reason.

Black Ops had classic songs in the Campaign, Call of the Dead (Zombies) let you play as Buffy (Sarah Michelle Geller)as well as other famous actors and had George Romero wandering around, their Likeness is licensed. Many Zombies maps had a Music Easter Egg with Licensed Music from bands/artists like Avenged Sevenfold for example.

The more 'authentic' you go for weapons, vehicles, music etc for a 'game' - whether its Racing, FPS or whatever genre, the more licenses. You can't profit from using Ferrari or Porsche, can't profit by using Colt, Smith & Wesson, Winchester etc, can't profit from Musical artists so you 'pay' to use their product/IP/Brand in your game - but aren't paying millions 'every year' when the game itself only has a short life 'selling' to justify paying a License.

From a Business perspective, you also aren't going to commit to 'long term' deals when your Product will only make money for a few years and be 'replaced' by a new version. Consoles too were only expected to last 5yrs or so before being discontinued. They want you to focus on 'new' releases, playing 'new' games because that's where they make money, not on you playing a game you bought 10yrs ago. They aren't going to 'renew' licenses (unless it coincides with a 'new' release) just so you can play games you bought a decade ago, games they aren't selling to recuperate that cost...

Actually CoD will likely have some Licensing issues with Music - Zombies has had 'licensed' music easter eggs for example and some campaigns have had licensed music.

Even when Activision remastered Zombies for Black Ops 3, Call of the Dead was omitted because of Licensing - You had 5 real actors/director likeness and some of their famous Characters - like Buffy/Sarah Michelle Geller and the music Easter Eggs have been performed by Recording Artists/Bands used under Licence.

At one point, they were also using Licensed weapons - although now they are 'slightly' different to avoid licensing and copyright.

You also have to remember that back then, Publishers would only pay for a 'few years' licence as that Hardware would only be expected to last a few years before being discontinued. That's why we saw a LOT of Licensed Music in Games which seems to have virtually disappeared in favour of composing their own or commissioning so they own the rights.

Licensing can also often Hardware specific - for example they paid to license for just for Xbox 360, so can't sell the game on other hardware - its protecting the 'owners' of that 'licensed' property - so that Publishers can't profit of anothers work.

Its not that simple to just pay the License so these games can be added to Game Pass. There is a Cost involved and they aren't going to spend money on Licenses for 'dead' games that won't sell enough today to recuperate those costs. If you still own those games, you can still play them ON the Hardware they were released on, the hardware the Licenses covered etc. If you 'own' the game, you've already paid to use their 'licensed' content in that game, the content owner already got paid so you can play that game exactly as it was licenced to be played on the Hardware it was built for.

@Ricky-Spanish I'm definitely picking one up. People focus only on the 'new' releases - how well they play these games you can play at 4k with Ray Tracing at high settings and decent frame rates on devices drawing 10x+ the power.

However, there are a LOT of great games going back decades that are perfect on these devices. Last gen games play very well and arguably the biggest game out - Silksong - runs perfectly well too. Want to play old Playstation/Sega/Nintendo/Xbox etc games, you can probably find them emulated somewhere.

Its a PC so every game you can play on a Windows 11 PC, you can play on this - that's decades and decades worth of games.

I'm getting it because I want to game on the Sofa, in Bed, in a Dr's waiting room or Hospital, on Public Transport or any of those times when I have an opportunity to 'game' but can't game on Laptop/Console - a device that 'hopefully' feels like Playing on an Xbox controller and offers a Console-like experience...

@kmtrain83 I have a Gaming Laptop but its not really that 'portable' for gaming on the go. I'd not want to try and play on a Laptop in a car or bus, wouldn't want to play in a Park or waiting room, wouldn't necessarily want to take on Holiday.

I don't see the 'need' to dock - I have a Series X plugged into my TV and a Gaming Laptop too so I can get the bigger screen and/or some flexibility, but it can seem too much hassle to set-up a Laptop for gaming on the couch for maybe just 30mins whilst a show is on.

Gaming Laptops aren't really designed for Gaming without being connected to a Power supply.

A Laptop is not designed for Gaming specifically - hence a full keyboard and trackpad layout. Its a multi-purpose tool - so if you also intend to use it for other activities, inc Work, then a Laptop is more versatile by design. The Handhelds are designed for Gaming first and whilst you can use MS Office or Adobe Photoshop, they aren't designed for it - I wouldn't want to type an email on the tiny touchscreen keyboard for example.

It's a lot of money for a 'dedicated' Handheld Gaming device, but 10yrs ago, the performance these deliver would be impossible from a Console - they are 'more' powerful than a PS4/XB1S in a much smaller form factor and a complete device. How many even had a 4k TV?, How many games run at over 30fps and/or full HD, These can play modern games too not coming to last gen consoles at least at 'last-gen' performance metrics which to me makes them even more impressive.

Doom: the Dark Ages runs very well yet can't play it at all on an XB1/PS4 or Switch/Switch 2

So all I'll say is that you have to decide if its worth it for what you want/need. If you can only afford a Laptop or Gaming Handheld, but want to use it for more than just gaming, then a Laptop makes more sense. I already have a Laptop with a 4k OLED screen and a RTX 5070 GPU (not the best, but more than adequate) which is my 'multi-media' PC but I end up watching Youtube or Browsing websites if I only have 30mins before I can jump into a game on the TV and wouldn't use my Laptop anywhere other than the desk its set up on. A Handheld Gaming PC would get used for Gaming when the TV is in use and in far more places/situations...

@Ricky-Spanish There are Pro's & Con's - I much prefer to game on Console in front of the TV myself - its where I spend 95%+ of my gaming time.

There are a few occasions when I have time to game but the TV is in use for example that these devices can be perfect for. Wife watching something on TV? play on a Handheld, going on Holiday, take the Handheld etc. A lot of games are Play Anywhere or Game Pass games so your progress is seemless.

The 'ergonomics' though is what's most important to me. I bought the OG RoG Ally - which will also get the new Windows OS in 2026 as its suppposed to roll out for ALL Windows Handhelds - but the slim design and 70% scaled down size of controls and layout make it extremely difficult to play as my Muscle Memory is used to a larger layout.

The 'Xbox' Ally is designed to feel like an Xbox Controller in the Hand with a screen in the middle - full size thumbsticks, buttons, layout etc so 'comfort' and playability is the focus. The Xbox App is designed as a 'console' like UI. Like I said though, these devices aren't just for the 'latest' games or 'just' Xbox games, but games from history, you have a LOT of old Console games via Emulation available as well.

@Fiendish-Beaver I still think MS will bother - at least for one more Generation. They could, for example, use this OS BUT unlike their PC Handhelds, just not supply the Processes that are turned off so it can't switch to the Full Windows - its 'locked' to Windows 11 gaming mode, boots only to their UI and require at least Game Pass Core to access Apps like Steam or Epic.

The other option is to use their Xbox OS so that its easy to bring your Library forward but not offer PC based Apps.

Their 'premium' Hardware could be more an Xbox PC that can boot to the Full Windows - but could also be built by 3rd Party PC builders

MS announced that the OS would roll out to other Handhelds in 2026 so I expected the Lenovo Go and its sequel to get the OS at somepoint.

This seems to be the 'Same' Chip - both this and the RoG Xbox Ally X have the Z2 Extreme chip (Same CPU/GPU spec) - however, the Xbox Ally has AI cores built in whilst the Legion Go 2 does not. The Legion Go 2 has a bit more RAM, but the 'cost' difference is that 8.8" OLED screen and detachable controllers (which are a bit 'gimmicky and cluncky' imo).

@Ricky-Spanish Unlike a Console, a PC is NOT Subsidised by the Manufacturer/owner so does not charge to unlock ALL content/features (like Online gaming, Social Gaming etc) and being a Handheld 'complete' device comes with a Screen and Battery so you do not need to own (or buy) a display or only play near a power supply.

A Series S as a much larger form factor and can push much higher power to the hardware. It maybe 'cheap' compared to a Handheld PC - especially this one, but you still need to pay for Game Pass Core to unlock all content/features - adding hundreds to the price over years. It also is 'locked' to Microsofts Digital Store giving them the Monopoly. Those 2 factors help MS recuperate and make money. The Hardware can be sold at a 'loss' to get you in...

If you take a Series X - around £500 new, add Game Pass Core over 5yrs (another £300) and before you've bought a game, its already approaching the cost of the Xbox Ally X - a device that you never need to pay for Online/Social gaming, a device not locked to a single Platform/Store, a device with by far the biggest Library of games to play, all in a single device form factor enabling you to literally play Anywhere.

It depends on how you 'want' to read that title - You can read it as if they are asking is the game worth the hype in itself and the fact its on 'game pass', a service so say devaluing games/experiences as you can play them free, having any impact on your 'hype' for the game.

It seems those that like this type of game are really loving it and it certainly seems popular to have downloading issues - its also not very expensive compared to many new releases so I can see quite a few Game Pass subscribers willing to buy the game to support the devs for their great work and pricing.

It's not something I'd choose to play on my console, but maybe something I'd play on a Handheld....

40fps is good enough for 'play'. All frame gen does is create the illusion of 'smoother' motion - it doesn't make the game 'feel' more responsive or update more frequently so it may 'look' like 80fps, but still feel/play like a 40fps game.

I personally would likely turn off Frame Gen - as long as the base Frame Rate is above the minimum VRR limit - so if VRR is enabled at 40fps+, I won't use Frame-Gen.

I'd rather drop the resolution down to 900p for example to get higher 'base' frame rate than rely on Frame Gen. The Only time I'd consider Frame Gen is if a Game is capped to 60fps and running on Ultra settings at max res. Only then would I use it as I have spare overhead and might as well smooth out the motiion a bit more.

I certainly wouldn't use it for 30fps games! I'd prefer to play at 30fps than use Frame Gen as the 33.3ms gap between frames is too long a delay, introduces too much additional Lag/Latency...

From my perspective, I don't care if they do shut down servers etc but there will be some that will think EVERY game should be 'preserved'....

@somnambulance If you look back at the reason MS started the Console, it was to bring PC gaming to a mainstream market - partly because their games were PC ONLY and of course there were a LOT of PC games that couldn't be ported to Consoles without HDD's or internet.

Now 25yrs later, you can now get PC's that play the latest games for Console (and lower) cost. Even if they are 1080p and/or 60fps and of course for MS, if they go back to PC/Windows, they don't need to port games to their console cutting down costs.

I think they 'could' release a Console version of their Windows 11 they've developed for the Handheld, that 'gaming' optimised version - but maybe won't include the bits that are switched off so you can't 'easily' switch between Full PC and Gaming so they still have that Console like control and only allow consumers to access Apps they approve - Steam could be behind their Game Pass Core sub - so you'd need to pay that to be able to play Steam (which doesn't charge for Online gaming) games on your Xbox - otherwise people would buy Steam games online so don't have to pay for Online too.

They could leave it to PC manufacturers to make Gaming PC's affiliated to Xbox - like Asus and they could make their 'own' Console style PC designed for the Living Room. Don't like the aesthetics of Asus, maybe Lenovo or MSi's looks more pleasing to you...

Quite a few options open to them for the future - it just depends on what they think will work best for them and that Consumers will support. At the end of the day, Gamers should be focussed more on the Games than the Hardware as without games you want to play, Hardware is pointless. So I think if they continue to make strong games and offer good services that provide great value to their customers, their customers will come to them regardless.

If you really want to play Gears, Halo, Forza or whatever other MS IP, Love the value of Game Pass, then you'll buy an 'Xbox PC' if its the only Hardware to offer those Day/Date rather than have to wait months/years or indefinitely for them to release elsewhere - especially if you also get to play online and with all your 'Xbox' friends for free.

Its that 'hidden' cost that people don't factor in to unlock the basic features/functionality we expect from modern consoles - Online and Social gaming. Over 5yrs, that adds up, so your £500 Premium Console ends up costing £800+ over 5yrs before you factor in cost of games. And for £800, you can get a PC that will play the latest games at 'Console' like settings and have a much biggger Library of games to play too so I can see MS going the PC /Cloud route as their two tiers - cloud being their 'budget' option for consumers...

@somnambulance Windows ws devised as a multi-purpose OS and why its become the default OS for PC's but because its designed for a range of tasks including multile tasks simultaneously, its not optimised specifically for a 'single' task.

Devices like Steamdeck and Switch, like Consoles are designed for gaming specifically. That's why each has its own Bespoke OS. However, PC's are built as multi-purpose devices so Windows is the OS of choice.

Its why the first wave of Handheld PC's have 'underwhelmed' considering how much more 'powerful' they are supposed to be but games, especially on 'low power' battery modes (as opposed to plugged in turbo boosted modes) tend to perform 'poorly' compared to dedicated devices with similar power consumption. Its because Windows is using 'more' resources on unneccessary processes in case you want to jump to MS word or Office, jump to whatever other work or entertainment based use desktop PC's are expected to do as well.

That's why Asus and MS are working more closely on this. Asus know they need Windows 11 for it to be a 'full PC', but also know that unless MS worked on it, it wouldn't be 'optimal' for gaming. Microsoft Windows and Xbox development teams are working together to create a 'optimised' gaming version of Windows that doesn't boot up any 'unnecessary' Processes - although you can 'switch' to full desktop, turning those processes on. Its why MS also recommend restarting if you want to go back to gaming to ensure those processes get turned 'off'. So far, they've managed to free up quite a sizeable chunk of RAM that can now be assigned for gaming and seen better performance.

Handhelds, traditionally, are seen as pocket devices - although the overall size nowadays would require some very large pockets, and the thinner the profile, the better. To me, that is compromising ergonomics for ease of carrying. I'd rather have something designed more for when the product is being used than how convenient it is to carry around with you...

That's why this device is significantly thicker than any other handheld and has been designed to feel like you are holding an Xbox controller with a big screen between your thumbsticks. Every button is exactly where your muscle memory expects it to be, not significantly smaller and closer together...

@somnambulance Basically - except a bit more Collaboration with MS for the ergonomics, to have an Xbox button, and of course try and get MS to 'optimise' Windows 11 a LOT better for Gaming as handhelds are extremely power-starved and shouldn't be wasting 'resources' on Windows 11's unneccessary (for gaming) processes.

ALL other Windows PC Handhelds are designed for slim profiles and small footprint - not the 'optimum' for ergonomics. The RoG Ally may have an Xbox type layout, but also only 70% of the 'size'. This is designed to feel more like an Xbox controller in the hand with a full size layout. No other Handheld PC has an Xbox button (although you can assign the functionality to a button, it doesn't have its own dedicated button) and none will have the 'new' Windows 11 (Handheld version) - at least until next year, but maybe that's a good thing if its still more in 'beta' phase thann fully ready for wide release.

So whilst its no different to other Handheld PC's in the fact that its still a PC in a Handheld device and NOT an Xbox Console, it's got more Console like User Experience and Console Controller in hand feel than the others - which comes from collaborating more with Xbox and feedback some of the criticisms about their First Rog Ally (controls too small/uncomfortable to use, Windows is too 'bloated' for power starved devices etc...

The 'more' choice a gamer has, the more 'competition' for their time. Without any obligation or cost to try, you will get some that would never have bought, never would buy etc 'trying' it and reaffirming why they were right not to buy.

Its also very important to make the first 20-60mins as polished and interesting as possible, get them hooked because they have a LOT of other games to try, a lot that maybe more entertaining and more polished. How many 'tried' Redfall on launch and decided to wait for 60fps Patch or wait for patches/fixes but never jumped back? How many tried Doom and before they knew it, they were 2-3hours deep into the campaign...

Game Pass doesn't mean that 'slop' or 'Mediocre' can find its Audience (although it can), but it also allows people to try before they buy, see for themselves if its worth their 'time' (let alone money) so if it isn't up to their standard, their preference, they move quickly on and rarely look back because Game Pass now has a lot of different and new games to try

@Fiendish-Beaver 20 yrs ago, the fact that you had an AI partner for what was really a co-op game for Solo play was awesome. I know I struggled with the final Boss Fight on the 360 for ages because of the AI - in the end, I had to wait until my son was old enough to play and beat the boss 'easily' co-operatively.

I really do think that whilst it is a 'classic', it really deserved a 'remaster' and updating to bring that game into the modern era. It may look more modern but has 20yr old AI. In an era of 'AI' as we are entering, AI processors etc, they really could have done something to improve the AI...

RE:5 - another Co-op Campaign with AI was equally as bad and AI Sheeva ruined many runs causing frustration and restarts....

@theduckofdeath Of course I do - are you missing the point here? I don't see these games as big - 1 is and 1 is basically an indie game, the other a 2nd party game at best - not an Xbox game.

Its a 'big' month for games in general with Silksong (in the 'indie category) Borderlands 4 (in the Sci-fi shooter RPG category) and numerous other big releases coming to Xbox and Game Pass this month that may make it tough for those games to get game-time in my opinion - Outer Worlds 2 the exception.

I'm sure Keeper will have its Niche following, rate highly but not be a big success in terms of players, same with Ninja Gaiden - I bet many will quit it that try it too - if its true to its Origins!

That's just me assessing the month as a whole ON Xbox and Game Pass and thinking that these games (1 of which isn't really an 'Xbox' game) as being that big this month when there are 'bigger' games competing - yes some may need purchasing on Xbox but are still likely to consume Game Time so even if you have Game Pass too, doesn't mean that 'curated' Library consumes 'much' of your game time (or if it does, its not in those games) - even if they are 'free' or made by MS, even less so if they don't appeal and listing off a 'few' genres like board/card games, fighting games and sport sims doesn't narrow down my games that much at all - there are still all the action, shooters, RPG's, platformers and numerous other genres and mix-ups of multiple genres I really enjoy so not 'narrow' at all...

The point I was making is that 1 niche indie, 1 2nd party/3rd party IP, and a sequel to a game that hasn't really been an 'Xbox' IP and could be a 'big' game but get 'lost' in the sea of 'big' games releasing this and next month on XBOX and/or Game Pass in some cases. How big is Silksong expected to be? on Game Pass too of course. If people are playing Borderlands 4, will they play Outer Worlds 2 just because its free for example....

The only Game I am interested in, the Outer Worlds 2 is likely to be a 'big/long' game to play and with all the 'big games' coming, some I will need to buy, I'm not even likely to start it this year...

It wasn't just about a Lack of Optimisation, it was also about the Developers not considering the Hardware spec they plan to release on and building their game with that in mind rather than build a game that keeps becoming more and more Ambitious as more and more stuff gets added and then when the game is 'nearly' complete, struggle to scale down for the hardware and because of the way its built, almost impossible to 'Optimise' aspects without making big changes to the game.

If you know you only have a limited spec hardware to build to, you can keep to a relatively tight budget, make better decisions during development (not add features just because you can, but because they are within Budget, design the game to run on the weakest Hardware - even if it goes a 'bit' over budget during development as you can use DRS or maybe optimise something to be more efficient. Then you can easily scale it up - increase Resolution, increase Frame Rate Caps, increase the amount of Procedually generated grass/bushes etc etc. Because its designed to run on the lowest spec hardware, its relatively easy to optimise for Consistent performance can look very sharp (as you aren't relying on FSR or DRS when you scale it 'up' to better hardware....

@ANJB78 Again, its not about Exclusivity or the fact that MS is releasing 3 games, its more the fact that those 3 games aren't likely to be the 'biggest' games coming to Xbox (let alone other Platforms) this month. Its not like they are releasing Halo, Gears and Forza in one month - its an 'indie' style, a partnered project and a first party AAA game and I doubt any is 'most' anticipated release on Xbox or Game Pass this month.

Ninja Gaiden isn't an Xbox IP or made by an Xbox Studio either so I think its somewhat pushing it to call it an 'Xbox' game so from my perspective, It seems to be almost pushing a Console war narrative and bringing the Xbox Console warriors out to defend it. Yesterday I said that Playstation has the 'highest' entry point to gaming this gen - the Series S and Switch are significantly cheaper - yet all the Sony Console warriors took offence. A steamdeck is cheaper over 5yrs than a Series S too because these Console require a Sub to unlock all content and features. So in Economic hardship, Sony are most 'prohibitive' to new gamers.

But the point is that Xbox has great games coming this month that aren't necessarily Xbox games and some are on Game Pass too and I think that Black Ops 7 next month alone will be 'bigger' for Xbox than the '3' games this month. I think Silksong will be bigger on Game Pass than at least 2 out of the 3 - if not all 3 games. I can't see many peopple wanting to buy an Xbox or Subscribe 'this month' because those 3 games are launching. They aren't the biggest games coming to Xbox this month so just being published by MS isn't really enough to make this a big one for Xbox Studios as the title actually states as Ninja Gaiden isn't made by an Xbox Studio and the other two aren't the most anticipated or 'biggest' releases of the month and if we move on from the 'Console war' narrative, then surely we can say that whilst MS may have a few games out this month, they aren't necessarily the 'biggest' most anticipated releases this month on Xbox or Game Pass. There are 'bigger' games on Xbox in the next month or two that are more anticipated, likely to get more gamer 'time' on Xbox than their 'own'!!

@ANJB78 It's not about Console WARS - that's the whole POINT I'm trying to make. It doesn't really matter these are 'Xbox' games on Game Pass this month because they aren't even the biggest games coming to Xbox or Game Pass this month.

Silksong for example is on Game Pass and arguably the most anticipated. The ONLY exclusive is Keeper and I can't see that moving Consoles or Subscriptions. The others are on PS5 Day/Date so will buy on their Platform. I bet next month Xbox make more 'money' with just CoD so will be a bigger month.

Yes we get 3 MS Published games in one month on Game Pass but I doubt we'll see a big jump in Subscription figures and the majority already have Game Pass.

I don't really see the difference between say a Microsoft Published Multi-platform release that's also on Game Pass to any other multi-platfporm release on Game Pass - in fact some of the 3rd Party Games have appealed far more.

I still think its a good month for Game Pass and Games coming to Xbox this month, but I don't necessarily think that's because MS has a few games to release this month. Outer Worlds 2 could well be one of the best RPG's to release this year but I don't think its the most anticipated game on Game Pass this month...

@theduckofdeath Not at all - but I don't enjoy certain types of games and both Keeper and Ninja Gaiden are both games I wouldn't play.

As I said, there are great games coming this month Borderlands 4, Dying Light: the Beast, Chronos and even Indiana Jones DLC all appeal far more to me - Hollowknight is arguably the most anticipated if you go by the number of games that delayed their release and how many sites name is a highlight of the month - coming to Game Pass Day 1 too.

Just because I don't really enjoy games like Keeper or Ninja Gaiden, I hate Sports Sims, Board/card games and Fighting games too doesn't mean that I have a 'Narrow' interest. After 50yrs of gaming, I know what I like and what I dislike. I've never struggled to find games I want to play so I would say that I have a broad enough interest across multiple genres, styles, settings etc that there is ALWAYS at least 1 or 2 games releasing every month that I'd play.

However, I also have a LOT of games I haven't finished or got round to playing yet - gears of war reloaded for example and many of those appeal far more than some new releases. In other words, I'd rather play a 20yr old game than waste my time trying Keeper/Ninja Gaiden because it appeals 'more'.

You might not enjoy games like CoD or BF, may not like MMO's or Live Service games, might not enjoy Street Fighter/Mortal Kombat fighters, might not like JRPGs or really dislike certain mechanics like QTE's or turn-based, but that doesn't mean there isn't a wide range of other games available and 'more' games than you have Gaming time to ever play them all. I'd rather spend the limited Gaming time I have playing the types of games I enjoy and not waste it trying things I know from years of experience I don't like, wasted time and money on in the past...

@Lup I know all that, but my point still stands. Might as well add in BF6, Chronos, Hollow Knight etc as other big and anticipated multi-platform games release on Xbox this month - some too will be on Game Pass but 'sold' on PS5.

Ninja Gaiden isn't what I consider First Party. I don't believe MS own the IP - even if they Comissioned and are publishing it, its more 2nd Party than first.

Keeper doesn't seem like a AAA game or a game that will bring gamers to the Xbox platform as the only exclusive. I can't see these 3 games in particular seeing a significant increase to Game Pass Subscriber numbers so most Xbox users that have Game Pass and play would still have paid that months Game Pass fee regardless of these games - they don't increase Xbox revenue this month despite 'new' products on the market.

So if EVERYONE that plays on Xbox/PC were already on Game Pass, they won't get any extra revenue. To increase the monthly revenue, they need to sell more Subscriptions and/or sell more games than they did last month. They are selling on PS5 so will generate extra revenue..

I am not that interested in any of them and only one of these is actually exclusive to Xbox so I don't know how that makes a great month for 'Xbox'.

Yes those games may well be financially a success - but I don't see them swinging the 'needle' towards MS/Xbox when the two biggest are releasing on PS5 the same day. Obviously the following month has CoD, another big multi-platform game but will these sell hardware (RoG Xbox Ally also launches in October) or Game Pass Subscriptions?

I voted Outer Worlds 2 but only because of the 3, its the one I'm most likely to try. Keeper doesn't appeal at all and wasn't that much of a fan of Ninja Gaiden games so doubt I'd have bothered even trying these...

A 20yr old game at its core with that 20yr old design and basically a port of the 10yr XB1 Ultimate edition with little/no major work to improve things like AI for example - vital for Solo play in campaign as you have an AI partner throughout.

Helldivers 2 is a year old, built for this gen hardware and has an Active playerbase meaning that the game was well populated at launch on Xbox. Gears is not likely to be that popular on Xbox/PC at launch - just because they've already played it at least once. As its the Ultimate edition, just with revised settings for more powerful hardware (increased Resolution, Quality settings and frame rate caps), there is little/no reason to rebuy unless you want to play with PS5 friends...

Call of Duty seems ripe for the Hollywood Movie treatment - after all it is a more Hollywood action movie take on War than the reality of War. Its that Rambo like style where a single person (or very small squad) can take on massive armies with all the Combat vehicles at their disposal and still 'win'.

Its ALWAYS had Hollywood style scripts with Hollywood style set-pieces and Hollywood style big Stunts/explosions/spectacle so why not make a CoD Hollywood movie.

I doubt I'd pay to watch a CoD movie, but then I wouldn't pay to watch Uncharted, Last of Us, Witcher, Halo, Doom, Tomb Raider or ANY movie, not necessarily a Movie based on a Game (that was inspired by Band of Brothers and Hollywood Action movies).

I don't think its a silly idea, like trying to turn some IPs into TV/Film when the Game is more about Game-play than story, character arcs, etc.

@Dimey I don't see it happening 'soon' either - even though those game are no longer Exclusive anyway and soon can be played on Xbox branded devices.

Sony 'could' go to the expense of porting and optimising those games to extract whatever extra income they can from their old IP's that have practically exhausted their own platform. Once you've bought, Sony are finding ways to make you pay again (£10 upgrades for newer Hardware support, porting forward and selling as a remaster etc) but in reality, those assets are not generating much, if any revenue anymore so why not sell - unless the cost outweighs the potential revenue.

Spider-Man or God of War isn't selling PS5' today - just like Starfield or Flight Sim isn't selling Xbox today, probably not selling at all now so the only way to get revenue is to release to other markets. Sony at the moment may only expand to Steam and/or Epic on PC (Not MS/Xbox on PC) but that is no different from Xbox expanding to PS5 after 6months or more - expand once the game is 'old' news, not selling many copies, not selling hardware, the 'new' big release is.

The only way to guarantee you get to play EVERY Microsoft or Sony game is by buying their Hardware so they will keep them 'exclusive' for some time, even if they now do bring EVERYTHING to other platforms eventually. But I do think that Sony will still avoid MS platforms as they'd rather lose 70% of any potential revenue than let their Rival get 30% - unless its almost printing money for little effort like Live Service MTX transactions...