BAMozzy

@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...

@darkswabber Couldn't agree more. I find it ridiculous but you know as well as I do that fanboys will argue over things like Controller layout, over sub services or sales (even sales pricing) - anything that even slightly differs is always a 'win' for their Box and a major flaw with the other.

Sony and Microsoft both have a very different Business model - Sony is very Sales focussed and supported by Services, Microsoft are much more aa Service based Company supported by sales. That alone leads to differences of approach to Sub Services - Games on a Sub Service day 1 is beneficial for the service but is supported by sales, where as Sony only sell day 1 and then support their services at a Later date once sales are no longer significant on that product. Not saying either approach is better/worse, but that does lead to differences to a Consumer and therefore gives them something to argue and fight about.

Different Exclusives and/or Quantity of Exclusives were often a main part of driving the Console War, but if neither differs in Library, that won't 'end' the war because the fanboys will move on to other differences. Even if they were 'identical in EVERY way, the fact that one has a PS logo and the other an Xbox logo would still be enough for them to argue over whilst everyone else just enjoys playing games on whatever devices they have...

Console wars aren't really a thing and haven't been for years - however, that doesn't stop Social Media and fanboys continuously arguing and fighting over their preferred Box.

Even if Sony and Microsoft made identical boxes, each with identical Libraries, identical performance etc so you could buy either and not miss out on any Game, people will still argue and fight about why their box is the best and defend it whilst the other is 'terrible/awful' - so the war will continue long after both sides made peace....

BF doesn't really have that much Dynamic Lighting in terms of the light source on their maps - its a Static time of day with a fixed Light source. Of course you can 'dynamically' change the environment with Destruction so it would have some utity.

However, its obviously more performant without Real Time lighting - much quicker to render if baked in and more traditional methods used. It still looks 'good' if somewhat 'gamey' in certain aspects due to the lack of light bounce or light bleeding in where it shouldn't, Shadows not aligning properly or contact accurate. - but still looks incredible...

Can't say I'm disappointed about Everwild as I have no idea what the game actually would have ended up as. There was talk of an MMO with NO combat - which didn't sound very appealing. Apart from its 'cutesy' artstyle, it didn't seem to have a lot going for it.

@Millionski Gamers are most interested in GAMES and its Games, they way they perform etc that determine which hardware you may choose to buy. When 'new' Hardware comes out, nowadays people want their games to come with them.

Hardware can be an issue to enabling you to keep your Library - The XB1 & PS4 both released with no Games carrying forward - if you owned AC4, CoD: Ghosts, BF4 etc on older gen hardware, you had to rebuy the exact same game to play on newer hardware. PC's at least have been better inn that regard.

If you buy a license to access a game, then you want to be able to play that game regardless of hardware - however, Platforms are not happy to let you download their version for 'free' because you bought a License through a different seller and publishers too would rather sell multiple copies. MS is no different in reality, but as they have more than 1 Platform, they are selling you a 'License' for their Platforms - regardless of whether that is an Xbox Console, a Windows PC or any Cloud enabled device. If you buy from them, you get a Licence encompassing all their Platforms and Direct Storage/Play Anywhere are part of that. Instead of buying a last gen version and paying a fee for a next-gen version, maybe having to rebuy games on newer hardware or only being able to play that game on that specific Hardware, the licence you bought is for that game on ANY Platform within that ecosystem rather than being 'locked' to a specific Hardware SKU. You bought the Game on a Microsoft Platform, you get to play on ANY Microsoft platform.

At the moment, they obviously have two distinctly different OS's and Hardware (I know the console has 2 variations but ultimately the same hardware structure), but Windows PC games have been around for decades and will likely continue long after the next gen Consoles have gone, getting Windows games is great for your Library - even if you ONLY play on Consoles today.

MS are acknowledging that Games are the most important - long after the Hardware they released on has gone so are trying to put the games first - but can't give you a license on PS, Switch or Steam for example as they want their 'money' from sales so give a licence in theirs. Its almost like Sony saying you've bought Spider-Man or God of War and as you own a Licence, that licence lets you play by streaming your own game or playing on PC's - although unlike MS, Sony don't have their own PC platform and release through Steam, Epic as a third Party Publisher. MS may well use Steam too, but they also Publish on their own PC platform.

I haven't played it yet but I don't feel the 'need' to jump back into it as I have beaten the 360 and Ultimate Edition versions and I had heard there was some 'bugs' so I felt that I can certainly wait to play it.

Its a 10yr Old game with a 20yr old Core and given away 'free' to owners of the game already. If I hadn't received a 'free' code, I certainly wouldn't have bought Day 1 or pre-downloaded on Game Pass despite being a Gears fan.

I wish they 'updated' it more and certainly improved the AI which feels like its 20, yrs Old and extremely limited/frustrating. It just seems like its the 10yr old game with the settings changed - output Res now 4k, Frame rates not capped to 30, other visual settings turned up from medium to high (or better), but NOTHING else tweaked, updated, improved or expanded on - its ore a Port than a 'remaster' as a remaster I believe should have new Assets created, new features or techniques added (lumin/Nanite), Improved physics, AI etc.

Of course we know that its main purpose was more to release the game on PS5 rather than provide a second remaster for their OWN customers. They probably didn't expect to sell any copies on Xbox as its 'free' on Game Pass and the Ultimate Edition is playable on Series Hardware - therefore they gave 'free' upgrades away so the MP has some Xbox representation as many probably won't buy it a 3rd time, certainly not at launch when they can play the Ultimate edition for a lot less money.

I'll probably just play this on my RoG Xbox Ally X when I get that - a Play Anywhere game that has been Verified and according to those who played it at Gamescom, it played very well.

Gears ReLoaded would have to be my TOP choice - but I'm not actually playing it through Game Pass. I was a recipient of a Free Code from Microsoft so had it pre-installed weeks ago.

Hellblade seems somewhat a weird addition to this in my mind as its more an 'update' to the original release - now renamed to match the PS5 release name - but its still an incredibly well made and superb Audio experience, if a somewhat mediocre 'game'.

I don't really expect to see anything that will be of interest to me and doubt I'll watch it live either.

If we do get Forza Horizons going to Japan with its massive car culture, it would make sense to 'reveal' there but I don't expect to see more about the games I'm interested in coming in 2026 - fable, Clockwork Revolution, Gears E-Day etc.

I don't expect the show to be targeted towards the games and delivery style I enjoy in general so its always something I catch up on news post event.

I already bought it with the 'upgrade' path through Game Pass - it enabled earlier access too if I recall...

Therefore I've already bought so had to say yes!

@RentedPanda yes decisions do have an impact - but the fact that the world is in Economic Turmoil is what leads to this 'decisions' in the first place. You don't know how the 'waves' of Job Losses in 2024 affected projects - inc thos like Perfect Dark for example. They may have 'lost' CD staff working on Perfect Dark during that cull which impacted on MS and their 'expected' deadlines.

The fact is that Embracer, Microsoft, Sony, Ubisoft etc etc have all had to cut quite a significant chunk of Jobs AND Projects is the reason. If they thought that there was money to be made, these people would still be employed. Its not as if other Games aren't in development that may need 'extra' support on to ensure they arrive on time and in a state we as gamers would find acceptable. Its nnot as if Embracer can't hire them out for another project or even use them to help their OWN projects that are falling behind.

The reason we are still seeing Job losses and cancelled projects is because they believe they cannot Sustain the workforce in the current Economic Climate and it seems to be getting 'worse', not better.

We saw the same thing a decade ago when the Market was struggling - we saw numerous Games Cancelled, Studio's closed etc and then a few years later, those same Publishers were back on the Market looking to invest and expand. The disaster launch of XB1 saw Lionhead gone, Fable and Scalebound Cancelled and MS reduced to a 'few' Studios.

If the state of the world was different, they wouldn't be losing their Jobs and likely to invest more in 'risky' projects etc but in the current situation, they are not 'committing' to anything more than they 'need' in the hope they survive the next few years or so, survive until things pick up again. The rising costs could mean that they run out of money before those products are ready to release and/or when they do a 'year' or more from now, they may not sell enough to cover the Cost because Globally some markets are collapsing due to rising Cost of Living and other markets are 'closed' or very limited due to war/conflicts. Trade Wars to mean that products are not being bought in quantity and whilst the price jumps up, the Company isn't getting that money, the Consumer isn't getting 'more'.

In other words, they don't feel that their Products will sell enough to cover their Costs so Cuts need to be made to their Costs so that don't go bankrupt. Gaming companies rely on you buying their Products - but as Consumer spending dries, they stop buying 'new' games and opt to play their Backlog, games on cheap sub services (inc PS+ Essential/Game Pass Core games), playing Free to Play games (Warzone, Fortnite, Roblox, PubG etc etc) or at most, games on sale costing a 'fraction' of their Launch price. Therefore, these companies are making cuts, cancelling projects etc because its the Global condition impacting ALL equally - its why MS had to make the decisions they did, why Embracer had to react the way they did (sameas they did last year too after buying that Studio and IP from Square Enix who needed to generate income to 'survive'.

@Millionski Ultimately, I do expect them to drop their 'console' for a Full Windows PC as that is still their Platform and as I said, makes game development a bit easier as they won't have to port/optimise for their Console Hardware and makes it easier to deliver Play Anywhere (if every game also gets a PC release) and BC too is easier as PC gamers have enjoyed that aspect for decades.

My point was more about the transitional phase between a locked Console and an open full Windows based Platform. Consoles are often subsidised and make money from Sub services, Monopoly Store front etc. An open Platform can't charge for Online Social Gaming because you'd bu from Steam or other platforms that don't lock content behind a Sub pay wall.

IF MS release a Console with the RoG Ally like Full Windows 11, then why would you buy games like Gears of War, Call of Duty or any of their Social games as they require Game Pass Core to access that content, but buy and play through steam and you don't need Game Pass Core. So either MS will scrap that aspect of their Subscription OR will have to 'lock' their next Hardware and maybe make Apps, like Steam require Game Pass Core to access - that way they still get the Sub fee regardless and will still get money regardless of where you buy.

I don't know that Microsoft will go 'full' PC with their next hardware, but ultimately I don't think that Xbox 'Console' needs to exist in 2026. The reason MS brought Xbox to market was because they wanted to make their 'Gaming API' (Direct X) important for gaming so its required for their Console. Not only that, Consoles couldn't play 'PC' games and that's where Microsoft had developed and released Games. PC's were very expensive - even to play games like Doom so were prohibitive for Mainstream gamers. For MS to become a Mainstream Gaming company, they had to build a Console - now 25yrs later, you can play games without the need of Hardware and 'cheap' PC's these days can play games at Console like quality so the 'need' to provide Hardware is not there - of course People WANT hardware so there is a reason to make it.

They started by making and releasing games on their PC platform but had to make a Console because PC's were too expensive and NOT mainstream accessible - now PC's are and can be as low as Console hardware prices without the Console 'hidden' extra costs - Like Sub services to unlock all content, features etc you bought your hardware for, only one Digital storefront so no Competition to drive prices down etc. So if MS make a 'PC' rather than a Console, I do wonder if they'll lose GPC subs and/or Sales that cover subsidies on Hardware.

@RentedPanda Again that is NOT MS's fault - Embracer cut staff from Crystal Dynamics already and that was having a negative impact on Tomb Raider and also may have had an impact on MS decision to cancel Perfect Dark -knowing it may now take lomger before its released due to staff culling at Crystal Dynamics made the project to expensive to coninue.

Embracer still has a choice - they 'bought' the Studio so have the authority to move them to other Studio's or Projects in development, inc their own Tomb Raider that lost staff working on it. They didn't have to fire - unless like the rest of the industry, they believe that revenue is going to be much tougher to generate whilst their own Costs are increasing rapidly and in an unstable Economic climate, would rather operate on almost Skeleton crews, work only on the least risky projects, not create new IP's etc because they expect revenue to be increasingly difficult to maintain.

@Millionski Whether or not its the Full Windows 11, its difficult to say. Its entirely possible that the processes and elements of Windows that are NOT required/switched off on these PC handhelds, is NOT supplied/built in to their Console so that it still runs Windows 11 games, but can't boot to the Full windows. Steam, GoG etc can be added as Apss into their 'Dashboard' so you don't need to go to Windows to access them, but also if MS decide you can't use a certain retailer/app, it won't be on their Dashboard and you can't go to Windows desktop to findand install.

That way, they still have the Control like they do with the Console and even have other Game Apps behind their Game Pass Core tier - to play Steam games, you need their Sub on their Platform. Otherwise, they may have to drop the Online fee otherwise pople will buy from other retailers who don't require a fee to access all content.

It makes sense in the long run for Xbox to be more a Windows PC. Microsoft only need to make the game 'once' without the costs of porting and optimising for a console (or even multiple Consoles). Take Starfield - built for PC's first and foremost, then ported down to 2 different spec Consoles, each requiring time and money to get working in a satisfactory way. With Windows 11 based, they build the game once and at most, provide 'default' settings for that hardware. Like any PC game though, you can tweak settings yourself, but if you just want to jump straight in, its 'default' settings provide a 'console' like experience.

@SodaPop6548 This has NOTHING to do with MS. Crystal Dynamics are now owned by Embracer - who cut the staff force last year whilst both Perfect Dark and Tomb Raider were in active deveopment.

In case you haven't noticed, all the major Publisher, not just Microsoft, but Sony, Ubisoft, Embracer, Square Enix, Warner Bros etc have closed Studios, reduced their staff at other Studios and cancelled games in Development. Warner Bros cancelled Wonder Woman and closed down Monolith, Sony have cancelled numerous games, reduced Bungies Staff on numerous occasions, closed Studios (Savage games aquired Aug 2022, closed less than 2yrs later for example). Ubisoft too shut down numerous studios and Square Enix sold off some Studios/IP's.

Point is, costs are rising, many places are struggling financially and even some territories are no longer 'open' to trade with. You can't sell your games/hardware in some areas that were open 5yrs ago and as people are struggling to keep up with Cost of Living increases, they aren't buying new games.

Gen Z in particular are NOT spending much money on games - its mostly Gen X that buy games! Fortnite, Apex, Roblox, Warzone and other Free to Play games are where GenZ choose to play and on ANY device. If they do buy, its old games on sale or maybe just play games they get with their Subscription (PS+, Game Pass etc).

All that puts pressure on ALL gaming Companies. They 'predict' that the amount of Revenue their Gaming business is 'likely' to generate based on current Economic Market assessment and what analysts 'predict' for the future and adjust their 'business' plans/models etc so that they don't overspend and end up losing money.

It times of Economic Boom, you see growth and investment - as Gaming was going well and actually boomed during the Pandemic, we saw numerous Studios being Acquired but since then, there has not been 'Economic Stability', Sanctions and Tariffs between various Countries impacting trade and pricing, including all the fuel and distribution costs etc.

Gaming maybe an escape from reality, not political and universally enjoyed - but that doesn't mean its not impacted by Social and Political events occuring. If you suddenly can't sell your products to millions of people you once could gave or situations in their country mean that people aren't buying or even playing games, having to pay Tariffs to distribute to certain areas (increased costs/reduced sales - PS5 saw a big drop in sales this month in the US after a price rise) and Publishers 'want' to put their Game Prices up, but for consumers, its already too high and many not buying. So they either have to shed costs (cut down wage bills, overhead bills if you close Studios, on-going development costs by cancelling games etc) or put prices up to cover those Costs.

I wish the Global situation was different so that Games aren't being Cancelled, Studios aren't being Closed, Game Creators aren't losing their Jobs etc. I'd rather we were in a Golden Age where there is no conflicts, no trade wars etc, that the world was in a very stable and good economic situation - but its not and that impacts everyone and every market - leisure is often the first to be hit hard as people sacrifice that first to ensure they have food and a roof over their head...

There was some rumour/leak that when Embracer shed staff from Crystal Dynamics last year, before Perfect Dark was cancelled, that led to Tomb Raider falling behind schedule and wouldn't meet the deadlines it originally expected. Maybe when Perfect Dark was cancelled, they got back on track but losing staff again certainly won't help its development.

It just goes to show that Game Pass subscribers still pre-order and buy Content. Whilst they may not be pre-ordering the Base game, they are still buying the Vault edition 'upgrade'.

People have almost always whinged about CoD - W@W was a step back for CoD after CoD4:MW, then when MW2 was revealed, it was too bright (not gritty), too many pop-ups and notifications like an Arcade game, changing the points system to 100pts for a kill instead of 10 etc. Both those ended up as iconic games. Thre was alost always something - Ghosts was too 'Stale' and not innovative enough, Titanfall was the 'future', then came 3yrs of Innovation to movement, but the Community wanted to go back to 'traditional' Boots on the Ground MP.

Infinite Warfare was one of the highest disliked reveal trailer of all time but that was still a very successful game. Even when Vanguard released, the 'lowest' point for Many in CoD History, that didn't kill the franchise.

I play BO6 almost daily - at least just to do the daily Missions in Zombies/Warzone and a 15min GP game mission. Therefore it makes sense for me to pre-order BO7's Vault Edition as I'll no doubt play that daily too — even if just for 15-30mins....

@Ricky-Spanish Unfortunately (or Not depending n your perspective) the Seasonal Content, just like Warzone' is funded with a Free to Play Business Model - one that relies on selling Battle Passes (which are all Cosmetic, XP tokens and CoD point rewards) and Cosmetic Bundles - if you don't buy the Battle Pass or Bundles, you still get all the New Maps, Weapons, game play affecting content and cosmetics too with free events as well.

I thought Cel hading was pushing the limit of acceptability, but going full Cartoon is just ridiculous - its far too jarring for the artstyle of the maps and rest of the game. If they had done a Hollywood Action Movie version of Beavis and Butthead as if Hollywood were making a live action movie, the community would have been more tolerant - like they have been with decades now of CoD Cosmetics - more CoD games have been sold that sold Cosmetic Customisation (or loot box mechanics to get full customisation sets) than haven't - but they also sold DLC Map packs - 4 a year since World at War and Cosmetics came in with Black Ops 2. I do think the weight of more outrageous skins has increased and fewer and fewer Military style skins are in the Game today but I attribute that to them catering to what sells - just because I prefer more military style, if they don't sell as well, maybe because the main characters look 'military' so why buy more when you have decent free options.

I can see them sticking to their CoD Artstyle so not using Cel Shading or cartoon art. I can see them still making weird glowing, smoking, shiny, weird, unrealistic for a battlefield skins - the Vault Edition Character and weapon skins aren't exactly mil-sim style...

At the end of the day, The Series S is the XB1S of this gen - maybe will only offer 30fps HD graphics whilst the X offered higher Quality visuals and Frame Rates in a number of Games.

When you have a 1080p base image to upscale to 4k, you have 4x the information and detail to work with and 1080p still looks OK on a 4k screen - a bit soft but OK so FSR to boost to 4k for 60fps is not an issue if needed for Consistent 60fps but 540p-720p for a 1440p upscale on a 4k screen will look terrible so better to lock to 30fps.

Of course we don't know how ambitious they are going to be with this and what graphical tools they are using, RT GI or Nanite for example which can be expensive on 'processing' time when you only have 16.6ms per frame to do everything in compared to 2x that (33.3ms) for 30fps modes. You can spend 5ms on Ray Tracing when its less than 1/6th of your budget but nearly a 1/3rd maybe too much for ANY 60fps mode unless they bring RTGI quality down to reduce that time or find some way to 'optimise' it, if its fundamental (noalternative or fall back built in) then 30fps is not possible on that hardware. It may only take 3ms or less on faster hardware and/or with more 'cores' they can utilise.

Time will tell, if they do manage to get a 60fps option but I don't thnk people buy a Series S expecting total parity on Frame Rates, just like they don't expect Graphical parity - they just want Content Parity - the ability to play the same games and content as Series X, not miss out. The XB1X offered Graphical as well as frame rate improvements, including 60fps where the S was locked to just 30fps games.

@Banjo- Of course it is - the more 'platforms' you have to port to, the more time and money that takes. Xbox is NOT just the Console, its Microsofts Gaming Brand - hence 'Xbox' Meta and 'Xbox' Ally.

Now they can basically give you Windows 11 and not have those processes and 'Windows' desktop 'installed' on their Console if they wanted Full control, a 'locked' device that only 'vetted' apps like Steam or Epic are allowed. That's what their Xbox/Windows team have basically done with their new Win11 handhelds although these also have those other bits installed too so can switch to full Win11, but for their Console, don't install or allow full desktop, replace Xbox App with a 'home Screen and UI' but keep core Windows 11 from a Gaming perspective only - the game sees Windows 11 and DirectX API's its written for...

Point is, a Console is pretty much a PC in a single Chip - CPU & GPU combined together in one 'processor that reduces lag/latency between both CPU and GPU inherent in separate devices - more efficiency from 'less' as you also don't feed consoles with that much power for more efficient consumption, heat management and life expectancy. It has Some Custom design because it often has Audio processing separate or some 'bespoke' sector for controller or whatever to give Devs a 'Consistent' portion of CPU/GPU for gaming but need to 'port' to that OS and Hardware Specifically to maximise its quality/performance.

With Digital, it really doesn't or shouldn't matter what 'hardware' you have, if you own the game, you hould be able to play it - you bought a Licence to access the software, so with Windows PC often being used to make games and most release on PC, you should have no issue accessing your Library on any 'PC' or PC like device and it saves costs in porting and/or backwards compatibility issues...