Ahh, my bad, @Questionable_Duck. I did watch the long video that was Push Square early this morning, which is where I read about it coming to the Xbox. I assumed that it was on that video that the Xbox listing was shown...
I think the style of game does mean it will come to the Xbox at some point, @Questionable_Duck, even if it is not hugely successful, I can see it being ported just to make a quick buck...
I did wonder if the inclusion of the Series consoles in the trailer was a mistake by the developer, @Questionable_Duck, but then maybe it would have been taken down if it was, though with that said, once it's on the internet the damage is done...
Yes, all that is possible, @Questionable_Duck. I honestly cannot wait to know more. I've been speculating for more than a year now, and it would be good to have a few more details. The Series consoles were first revealed at the Game Awards in 2019, before then being released in November 2020. Thus, if I was right when I first started to say that the PCBox was going to release in 2026*, it maybe this years Game Awards that it is revealed at.
*However, I am now more inclined to think that the PCBox will release in 2027. I would say there's probably only an outside chance of 2026, maybe 20% chance...
It could be Sony doing that, @Questionable_Duck, or it maybe that the developer insisted that it was multiplatform, but that Sony will get the publicity rights etc. Or maybe we just don't know that it is not a simultaneous release yet.
What I will say is that it is a slightly odd set of circumstances...
I saw this earlier today, and was pretty excited by what I saw and really excited that it is coming to the Xbox. We don't have many (any?) games like it on the Xbox.
I know some are saying the animations are not entirely smooth, but then the game is at least a year or two off yet, so plenty of time for that kind of thing to get sorted.
Hopefully it turns out to be as good as it looks as though it could be when it releases. Great to see Xbox getting this too, though I am surprised that Sony have not bagged this as an at least timed exclusive (or have they, and we just don't know it yet?)...
Thank you, @Questionable_Duck. It does make you wonder what Microsoft will do with the PCBox in particular; will they design it, supply their OS, and use their buying power to buy components, and then have a third-party assemble it? Or will they not even design it, but just approve the design?
I know people often cite the AMD partnership as proof of Microsoft making the PCBox, but I wonder if that was just a case of Microsoft using their buying power to obtain certain components more cheaply so that a third-party could then make the actual console?
I wonder at what point in the process we would actually say that it was not made by Microsoft? I think it fair to say they would definitely approve any design that bore the Microsoft/Xbox name, but would that still truly be a Microsoft console if all they did was approve the design and bought the components more cheaply than the manufacturer could?
Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting that Microsoft are doing any of this, I'm just letting my curiosity run riot with the question of how little would Microsoft have to be involved before we did not see it as a Microsoft product...?
Out of curiosity, does Microsoft actually have any factories of their own? In other words, do they actually make their own consoles and laptops, etc., or are they all made by third-party companies, and have the Microsoft name attached...?
I actually already own it on console, @BrownOwl, well, at least the base version anyway because I bought the Collector's Edition that came with the full-sized Power Armour helmet. Obviously the game did not launch in particularly good condition, and as I've learned more about it as time has moved on, I've begun to question whether it would be something that I would actually enjoy. I'm still not sure even now... 😂
Thank you. I absolutely love the Fallout games, @Cvantez & @BrownOwl, and have spent literally thousands of hours playing them. I played Vegas for 950 hours in a single run through the game, and Fallout 4 for over a 1000 hours for one run, and I have gone though them both a few times. I like to do absolutely everything. I just worry that there isn't enough story to keep me interested, but I guess the only way to find out is by trying it out...
Just in time for the PCBox to arrive, @FraserG! Then we can wait right up until the end of the generation for the next native generation update... 😂
Can anyone please tell me how the game stacks up for a solo player? How much content will I miss out on if I choose to be antisocial and not partake in group activities? Also, does it actually feel like a Fallout game if played solo? Thanks...
Brilliant game. I started the game on Game Pass, and absolutely loved it. Indeed, I loved it so much that I bought it. I was gutted to miss out on the Collector's Edition, however, I did order the Collectors Obelisk sometime ago now, but have not received it yet, and I'm beginning to wonder whether my order went through properly, although they did take payment back in May.
Amazing game, which I recommend people at least try.
I wonder how it performed when compared to Xbox first-party titles...
I wonder whether Phil Spencer will be doing another 'one last thing' reveal at the Game Awards, and announce that Avowed will be going to the PlayStation in time for it's first anniversary...
Premium sounds more and more like the tier to go for these days. If you have a little patience, then wait a few months, maybe a year, and you will have paid half the cost and still had the same content...
I look at the games you list, @FraserG, and I can see that I will possibly play only Aphelion on Game Pass, and that is only because right now I do not know enough about the game to know whether it is one I should purchase.
From the rest of the list, I think Fable will not make an appearance until 2027, and when it does, I will probably be buying it outright, probably in the form of a Collector's Edition.
I will buy Forza Horizon 6 so as to get all the extras that come with it, rather than play the bare bones game on Game Pass.
Gears of War: E-Day is a game I shall buy, and I hope that Microsoft does screw us over in the UK as they did with Gears 5, and make the Collector's Edition obtainable in the UK. I had to import my CE of Gears 5 from the US, which obviously costs a lot more.
I will buy Halo: Campaign Evolved because I would rather own it, as I will Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy for the same reason (I own the previous two Plague games, and all of the Halo games too).
And that completes my interest from the games you mentioned, and I think that also demonstrates how subjective Game Pass can be...!
The problem is, that the vast majority of new games that do come to Game Pass Ultimate are instantly forgettable. We get a few big titles, be it first-party or third, and the rest are filler. Honestly, I'd be surprised if we get many more than one decent title a month, and even then, that decent title might not appeal to many. It's like when they put Silksong on Game Pass. Clearly a great inclusion, but that does not mean it appeals to everyone. Some months there are literally no titles that I would ever play, other months there might be one or two of middling interest, but as I am invariably playing something else, they just slip on by and are soon forgotten. I think Ultimate has definitely become of questionable value now...
Looks like Ultimate is only receiving two titles that are not also coming to Premium. You really have to question whether Ultimate is still worth having...
Microsoft did what they always do, @PsBoxSwitchOwner, they stick half a dozen proper bangers within the first 5 or 6 months. People look at it, think Game Pass is amazing, and buy a years subscription, only to be disappointed for the rest of the year. It happens literally every year. The good to great offerings are particularly sparse for the last 6 months of the year.
Still, I guess that means we should get some quality content at the beginning of next year...
I'm not against unintrusive AI, and I can see it's use in certain circumstances. Having said that, I have never knowingly used AI...!
Anyway, I don't mind if any of these are added as optional extras, as such I voted for:
Post-game performance analysis
Personalised game recommendations
Game & account insights
Sometimes I want to see stats of my performance in a game, and to see how I measure up against other gamers. One of the things I nearly always do is play games on the hardest difficulty, and right now pretty much the only way to see how many other people do the same is to look at the achievements.
If AI can look at the games I play, and find other games that match what I play most, then I'm all for further recommendations, although right now, games that get recommended to me on the Xbox are generally atrocious and nothing like what I usually play, so I would hope that AI could do better.
Lastly, sometimes I want to see more stats than I can glean from achievements, and so I'm all for more information being made available to me...
I think the only thing relevant to me amongst that list is the skins for Assassin's Creed Mirage, and even then it's hardly essential. Glad I paid well in advance for Game Pass Ultimate, and that I am stacked until June 2027, because if I was paying the greatly increased current asking prices I'd be pretty miffed with what I am being offered, though in truth, as it stands, I won't be renewing my subscription, and I may just move to playing the likes of Horde in Gears 5 on PC in the future (maybe Horde in E-Day if it is out by June 2027). I already own a gaming PC, I just prefer to game on my Series X..
I mean, this is a 20% increase in player-count, which goes back to what I've been saying about the 45% increase in Cloud usage; 20% sounds pretty good until you realise that equates to just 2000 more people, which is not really all that impressive at all in the grand scheme of things (although all these years later, it is still pretty good), but at least we can see what the numbers mean. 45% with no start or end figure is basically meaningless...
I would imagine that there will be a new set of achievements, @SodaPop6548. I think this will be treated like Gears of War: Reloaded, where we can pop them all over again.
I just took a look on Push Square, and they are talking about re-earning the Trophies, so I think it fairly certain that they won't auto-unlock...
I'm fairly certain that I have the DLC too, @ElectricWizard. It's not clear whether that is also in the upgraded version either, though I would imagine that it is. It is a little annoying to have to buy it all twice though. I don't mind paying a bit for an upgrade path, but having to buy it all twice is another matter...
I've spent around £400 on lots of smaller items this Black Friday, with the only gaming related item being a set of Stealth 700 Gen 3 Turtle Beach headphones that I manged to get for £126, which was a reduction of £54. I think I got 4.2% cashback on the purchase too, but it's not showing in my account right now, so I'm not sure it worked, but that would equate to around £5.92 if it is calculated on the full price that I paid.
As for games, I buy what I want usually by way of pre-order, which means I rarely see anything in the sales that I particularly want. I'm not sure there was any real bargains to be had on the Xbox Store this Black Friday...
Whether or not I play the games I selected, very much depends on the reviews, as I already have so much to be getting on with. However, my votes went to Lost Records and Routine...
For some reason I fell off the game when it first released, and although I have bought the sequel on both the Xbox and on PC, I have never played that either. So does the first game still hold up to this day...?
Totally understand what you are saying, @ILuvGames, but the point I was making was that would we celebrating just 45 more people? Obviously not, but if we are not told actual figures, then who knows how many more there are now using Cloud? What Microsoft should have done is shout loudly the 45% increased usage, whilst giving us the actual number too. Personally I feel it more important to tell us how long people are using it for too. After all, if you try Cloud gaming for 20 minutes and find it useless, you may not return to it for quite a while. Similarly, if it has gone to 30 or 40 million, just tell us. Also, has it coincided with the launch of the Xbox Ally, or has the increase been seen across PC and Game Pass, etc.. Just saying 45% is not enough. We should not need to search around to find meaning in the figure. Give us the details. That way we can celebrate it properly, rather than wonder why Microsoft are not telling us everything, or having to make are own, ill-informed, conclusions...
I pre-ordered the Collector's Edition, and absolutely fell in love with the game. Honestly, if you haven't played it already, get on it, you will not regret it...
I was not attempting to be negative, @ILuvGames, but I was making the point that without knowing what the actual starting figure was, or what it now stands out, saying it's gone up by a certain percentage is meaningless, hence the use of 100 to highlight that it could mean virtually nothing.
If I had said it was on 100,000,000 million to start with, and then said it is now 145,000,000 then similarly it would be seen as an astoundingly impressive increase.
Without the detail though, the figure is worthless.
If an election was held, and a party formed the Government having gained the largest share, then that sound great. However, if that largest share amounted to just 20% of the vote, with the other parties having amassed 80% of the vote between them, then suddenly that party getting elected on just 20% seems pretty poor.
That is the point I was trying to make, but seems to be lost on people. I guess it could be construed as negative if it seen as questioning the results, but truthfully, I'm just pointing out that Microsoft are doing what they always do, and give us really vague, often meaningless, cherry-picked stats. 45% is impressive, but why not tell us the overall number then? Why not tell us how it was achieved, where, for how long Cloud is being used, a breakdown of devices, and if a particular game was a source of much of that time, tell us what it was. There is so much detail that we could be told, but as is always the case, Microsoft seem to obfuscate, and I find it quite frustrating because believe it or not, I'm one of their biggest proponents...
When it comes to whether or not the number of sales of Xboxes is important, @OldGamer999, Microsoft have adopted the age old mantra of only seeing areas that are experiencing growth as being of importance. If a metric is failing or falling, it is unimportant, will be ignored and will not be publicised. If it shows signs of increase, then it is important, and they will crow about it 'till the cows come home.
It's why Microsoft stopped telling us how many consoles were sold, stopped telling us how many subscribers Game Pass has, and stopped telling us how well games sell. They tell us how well Cloud is doing at the moment, because it is seeing growth, but they don't furnish us with enough detail to make sense of what they are telling us.
It's an age old trick that has been deployed by companies and Governments for decades. It's the 'dead cat' scenario, where they tell us to look here because they don't want us to look over there! Even Sony are selective with what they tell us, so it's not Microsoft specific, it's just that right now, Microsoft probably have less to crow about, and so we hear even less from them.
It's the lack of detail that I always find most frustrating. It's difficult to cheer Microsoft on when they only tell us part of the information we need to make an informed decision (although even armed with minimal information, some can find no fault in anything that Microsoft do or say...!)...
It's not bad faith at all, @fatpunkslim, and I fail to see how my comment could possibly be seen as such. My point remains that without knowing the starting figure, we don't know what the actual figure is.
It's not negativity either, it's pointing out that Microsoft are always, but always, utterly vague with their news. Give us specifics, that's all I am saying.
We also could do with knowing what has caused that spike. Is it the Xbox Ally's arrival that has caused it? What devices has seen that spike? If the rise is 45%, does that also mean that the amount of time spent on Cloud has also increased by 45%, or is it more, or is it less? How long are people actually spending on Cloud? If everyone is trying a game on Game Pass via Cloud for 10 minutes, then that's less important than someone accumulating 10 days worth of play via Cloud.
It's not intended as negativity, it's pointing out that without detail the number is basically meaningless because we know nothing more. If tell me that you've been given a 45% pay rise, it tells me absolutely nothing unless I know what you were earning in the first place! That is the point I am making, yet for some reason you always leap to the the defence of Microsoft, without saying to yourself, 'you know what, he's got a point! 45% of what? How many is that now? How long are they playing for? What has bought about that increase? etc.'
As I say, the devil is in the detail, and I would suggest that if a Government were to make such a claim you would say hang on, give me more information. So what should Microsoft get a pass...?
I am! I have only played Ghost of Yotei on my PS5 this year, and every other game has been played on my Xbox, thus I am expecting another ridiculous amount of hours of my life to have been spent on my Xbox...
I absolutely agree, @ILuvGames. I think what I was getting at has been completely misinterpreted. I was saying that without the starting figure, then saying it was up by 45% is pretty meaningless.
I think much of that increase will be down to the release of the Xbox Ally, but I also think that having detail would be good. I mean, if 100,000,000 people have used it last year, and that is now 145,000,000 then that's great, but even more useful than knowing that would be how much time it has been used too. If everyone has used it for just 1 minute, then that's not great, but if they have all used it non-stop for 100 days, then that's impressive!
You get my point, the devil is in the detail, and it is the lack of detail that always leaves us guessing, and often leads us to ask why they are not tell us...
For goodness sake, @fatpunkslim, I wasn't suggesting it was as low as 100 people, and anyone with an ounce of common sense would have realised that.
My point was that without numbers to back up how many the starting point was then saying it has increased by 45% is meaningless. Thus, if the starting figure is 100 people, then 145 is not that good.
As is always the case, you are so desperate to defend Microsoft that you leap in without giving any thought to what has been said.
I know full well that there are more than 100 people using Cloud, and I was never for one moment suggesting that what I was saying was a 'fact'. I was using it for illustrative preposes only...
I get what you are saying, @themightyant, but then how does a Free To Play title work? We are led to believe that it is through DLC and microtransactions, but if that is the case, why can't Gears of War, Halo, Forza, Destiny, Elder Scrolls, Doom, and so on, do exactly the same thing? They all offer huge chunks of DLC and Microtransactions, and arguably, may make more from that than they do with the actual sales of the game...
Personally, I think Andromeda got a lot more hate than it deserved, @RegnumSolipsi, and for the most part that was due to some pretty wild bugs that should have been sorted before the game released. The game was not as good as the original trilogy, but was still at least an 8/10.
I have high hopes for Exodus, but it is the next Mass Effect I am really excited for. Really curious as to what they are going to do with the story, whether Shepherd will still be part of the equation, and just how many of the original crew will return in some capacity. Or indeed, will it be a fresh start when it comes to protagonist and crew...?
That's kind of my point, @ElectricWizard. Play Anywhere is not really play anywhere. It is play on Xbox devices and Xbox platforms. Not as catchy title, but that is far less misleading.
Also, I would imagine that Microsoft could strike a deal with developers or the likes of Sony if they really wanted to, and bearing in mind that Free To Play games can do it, it's not as if it would not be possible to implement it, though obviously that then involves microtransactions.
Certain games absolutely makes sense to be Totally Play Anywhere. Destiny, for example, should be a game that if you buy it on the PlayStation, you should also be able to play it on the Xbox without having to buy it again.
Maybe one day we will get there, but I do find Microsoft to be disingenuous when they say Play Anywhere, because it really isn't...
That would make sense to me, @Coletrain, and would also allow Microsoft to crow about it because they have enabled it to happen via financial incentives. With Microsoft taking the credit, I really don't see how third-party developers really benefit...
I mean, 45% increase is good, but without actual numbers to back it up, it's pretty meaningless. After all, if it was as low as 100 people doing it last year, and it's now 145, would that be considered good...?
If Microsoft believe so firmly in Play Anywhere, why is it not possible to buy a game on the Xbox and then play it on Steam or the PlayStation?
As for console sales being unimportant because that is not where the profit is made, what about the fact the software sales on the Xbox make additional money for Microsoft?
Honestly, I think if Microsoft were selling more Xboxes than Sony were selling PlayStations, then Microsoft would probably be crowing about it (just as Sony justifiably do), and it would then suddenly be an important metric...
I get what you are saying, @BAMozzy, but I stand by my point that it is Microsoft that are getting the credit, not the game developer. Microsoft are making a point of telling us that it is a Play Anywhere title, each month announcing each title. Microsoft are setting themselves out as to good guys here, when in fact that credit should go to the developers. It is why I am curious as to whether there is any financial incentive for developers to embrace this because people are not seeing them as the ones responsible for the fact that the game can be played anywhere...
Comments 3,754
Re: The God Slayer Is Bringing Its Open World RPG To Xbox, And It's Getting Help From PlayStation
Ahh, my bad, @Questionable_Duck. I did watch the long video that was Push Square early this morning, which is where I read about it coming to the Xbox. I assumed that it was on that video that the Xbox listing was shown...
Re: Left 4 Dead Creator Is Making A New 'Four-Player Co-Op Shooter', But It Might Not Come To Xbox
I think the style of game does mean it will come to the Xbox at some point, @Questionable_Duck, even if it is not hugely successful, I can see it being ported just to make a quick buck...
Re: The God Slayer Is Bringing Its Open World RPG To Xbox, And It's Getting Help From PlayStation
I did wonder if the inclusion of the Series consoles in the trailer was a mistake by the developer, @Questionable_Duck, but then maybe it would have been taken down if it was, though with that said, once it's on the internet the damage is done...
Re: Report: Foxconn Subsidiary Plans To Make Up To 4.8 Million 'Xbox Consoles, Parts And Other Devices' Per-Year
Yes, all that is possible, @Questionable_Duck. I honestly cannot wait to know more. I've been speculating for more than a year now, and it would be good to have a few more details. The Series consoles were first revealed at the Game Awards in 2019, before then being released in November 2020. Thus, if I was right when I first started to say that the PCBox was going to release in 2026*, it maybe this years Game Awards that it is revealed at.
*However, I am now more inclined to think that the PCBox will release in 2027. I would say there's probably only an outside chance of 2026, maybe 20% chance...
Re: The God Slayer Is Bringing Its Open World RPG To Xbox, And It's Getting Help From PlayStation
It could be Sony doing that, @Questionable_Duck, or it maybe that the developer insisted that it was multiplatform, but that Sony will get the publicity rights etc. Or maybe we just don't know that it is not a simultaneous release yet.
What I will say is that it is a slightly odd set of circumstances...
Re: The God Slayer Is Bringing Its Open World RPG To Xbox, And It's Getting Help From PlayStation
I saw this earlier today, and was pretty excited by what I saw and really excited that it is coming to the Xbox. We don't have many (any?) games like it on the Xbox.
I know some are saying the animations are not entirely smooth, but then the game is at least a year or two off yet, so plenty of time for that kind of thing to get sorted.
Hopefully it turns out to be as good as it looks as though it could be when it releases. Great to see Xbox getting this too, though I am surprised that Sony have not bagged this as an at least timed exclusive (or have they, and we just don't know it yet?)...
Re: Report: Foxconn Subsidiary Plans To Make Up To 4.8 Million 'Xbox Consoles, Parts And Other Devices' Per-Year
Thank you, @Questionable_Duck. It does make you wonder what Microsoft will do with the PCBox in particular; will they design it, supply their OS, and use their buying power to buy components, and then have a third-party assemble it? Or will they not even design it, but just approve the design?
I know people often cite the AMD partnership as proof of Microsoft making the PCBox, but I wonder if that was just a case of Microsoft using their buying power to obtain certain components more cheaply so that a third-party could then make the actual console?
I wonder at what point in the process we would actually say that it was not made by Microsoft? I think it fair to say they would definitely approve any design that bore the Microsoft/Xbox name, but would that still truly be a Microsoft console if all they did was approve the design and bought the components more cheaply than the manufacturer could?
Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting that Microsoft are doing any of this, I'm just letting my curiosity run riot with the question of how little would Microsoft have to be involved before we did not see it as a Microsoft product...?
Re: Report: Foxconn Subsidiary Plans To Make Up To 4.8 Million 'Xbox Consoles, Parts And Other Devices' Per-Year
Thank you, @FraserG. I was just curious because you didn't mention it...
Re: Report: Foxconn Subsidiary Plans To Make Up To 4.8 Million 'Xbox Consoles, Parts And Other Devices' Per-Year
Out of curiosity, does Microsoft actually have any factories of their own? In other words, do they actually make their own consoles and laptops, etc., or are they all made by third-party companies, and have the Microsoft name attached...?
Re: Report: Foxconn Subsidiary Plans To Make Up To 4.8 Million 'Xbox Consoles, Parts And Other Devices' Per-Year
Interesting, @FraserG. So you don't think that they might be making (or assembling) all of, or part of the PCBox too...?
Re: Need A Reason To Play Fallout 76 Again? It's Just Released A Massive New Update
Exactly this, @BrownOwl...
Re: Need A Reason To Play Fallout 76 Again? It's Just Released A Massive New Update
I actually already own it on console, @BrownOwl, well, at least the base version anyway because I bought the Collector's Edition that came with the full-sized Power Armour helmet. Obviously the game did not launch in particularly good condition, and as I've learned more about it as time has moved on, I've begun to question whether it would be something that I would actually enjoy. I'm still not sure even now... 😂
Re: Need A Reason To Play Fallout 76 Again? It's Just Released A Massive New Update
Thank you. I absolutely love the Fallout games, @Cvantez & @BrownOwl, and have spent literally thousands of hours playing them. I played Vegas for 950 hours in a single run through the game, and Fallout 4 for over a 1000 hours for one run, and I have gone though them both a few times. I like to do absolutely everything. I just worry that there isn't enough story to keep me interested, but I guess the only way to find out is by trying it out...
Re: Need A Reason To Play Fallout 76 Again? It's Just Released A Massive New Update
Thank you, @Tdx. I had a feeling that it might be that way. I'll just have to hope they release another Fallout game pretty soon...
Re: Need A Reason To Play Fallout 76 Again? It's Just Released A Massive New Update
Just in time for the PCBox to arrive, @FraserG! Then we can wait right up until the end of the generation for the next native generation update... 😂
Re: Need A Reason To Play Fallout 76 Again? It's Just Released A Massive New Update
Can anyone please tell me how the game stacks up for a solo player? How much content will I miss out on if I choose to be antisocial and not partake in group activities? Also, does it actually feel like a Fallout game if played solo? Thanks...
Re: Xbox Crowns Its Biggest Third-Party Game Pass Launch Of 2025
Brilliant game. I started the game on Game Pass, and absolutely loved it. Indeed, I loved it so much that I bought it. I was gutted to miss out on the Collector's Edition, however, I did order the Collectors Obelisk sometime ago now, but have not received it yet, and I'm beginning to wonder whether my order went through properly, although they did take payment back in May.
Amazing game, which I recommend people at least try.
I wonder how it performed when compared to Xbox first-party titles...
Re: Avowed Is Getting Its 'Biggest Update Yet' To Mark The Xbox Title's One-Year Anniversary
I wonder whether Phil Spencer will be doing another 'one last thing' reveal at the Game Awards, and announce that Avowed will be going to the PlayStation in time for it's first anniversary...
Re: Two Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass Premium (December 3)
Premium sounds more and more like the tier to go for these days. If you have a little patience, then wait a few months, maybe a year, and you will have paid half the cost and still had the same content...
Re: Xbox Teases 2026 Game Pass Lineup As It Delivers The Service's Final Update Of 2025
I look at the games you list, @FraserG, and I can see that I will possibly play only Aphelion on Game Pass, and that is only because right now I do not know enough about the game to know whether it is one I should purchase.
From the rest of the list, I think Fable will not make an appearance until 2027, and when it does, I will probably be buying it outright, probably in the form of a Collector's Edition.
I will buy Forza Horizon 6 so as to get all the extras that come with it, rather than play the bare bones game on Game Pass.
Gears of War: E-Day is a game I shall buy, and I hope that Microsoft does screw us over in the UK as they did with Gears 5, and make the Collector's Edition obtainable in the UK. I had to import my CE of Gears 5 from the US, which obviously costs a lot more.
I will buy Halo: Campaign Evolved because I would rather own it, as I will Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy for the same reason (I own the previous two Plague games, and all of the Halo games too).
And that completes my interest from the games you mentioned, and I think that also demonstrates how subjective Game Pass can be...!
Re: Xbox Teases 2026 Game Pass Lineup As It Delivers The Service's Final Update Of 2025
The problem is, that the vast majority of new games that do come to Game Pass Ultimate are instantly forgettable. We get a few big titles, be it first-party or third, and the rest are filler. Honestly, I'd be surprised if we get many more than one decent title a month, and even then, that decent title might not appeal to many. It's like when they put Silksong on Game Pass. Clearly a great inclusion, but that does not mean it appeals to everyone. Some months there are literally no titles that I would ever play, other months there might be one or two of middling interest, but as I am invariably playing something else, they just slip on by and are soon forgotten. I think Ultimate has definitely become of questionable value now...
Re: These 14 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (December 2-11)
Looks like Ultimate is only receiving two titles that are not also coming to Premium. You really have to question whether Ultimate is still worth having...
Re: These 14 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (December 2-11)
Microsoft did what they always do, @PsBoxSwitchOwner, they stick half a dozen proper bangers within the first 5 or 6 months. People look at it, think Game Pass is amazing, and buy a years subscription, only to be disappointed for the rest of the year. It happens literally every year. The good to great offerings are particularly sparse for the last 6 months of the year.
Still, I guess that means we should get some quality content at the beginning of next year...
Re: New Microsoft Survey Suggests Five AI Features That Could Be Added To Xbox Game Pass
I'm not against unintrusive AI, and I can see it's use in certain circumstances. Having said that, I have never knowingly used AI...!
Anyway, I don't mind if any of these are added as optional extras, as such I voted for:
Sometimes I want to see stats of my performance in a game, and to see how I measure up against other gamers. One of the things I nearly always do is play games on the hardest difficulty, and right now pretty much the only way to see how many other people do the same is to look at the achievements.
If AI can look at the games I play, and find other games that match what I play most, then I'm all for further recommendations, although right now, games that get recommended to me on the Xbox are generally atrocious and nothing like what I usually play, so I would hope that AI could do better.
Lastly, sometimes I want to see more stats than I can glean from achievements, and so I'm all for more information being made available to me...
Re: Xbox Adds More Perks For Game Pass Members (December 2025)
I think the only thing relevant to me amongst that list is the skins for Assassin's Creed Mirage, and even then it's hardly essential. Glad I paid well in advance for Game Pass Ultimate, and that I am stacked until June 2027, because if I was paying the greatly increased current asking prices I'd be pretty miffed with what I am being offered, though in truth, as it stands, I won't be renewing my subscription, and I may just move to playing the likes of Horde in Gears 5 on PC in the future (maybe Horde in E-Day if it is out by June 2027). I already own a gaming PC, I just prefer to game on my Series X..
Re: Halo: MCC Hit Its Highest Steam Player Count Since 2021 Over The Weekend
I mean, this is a 20% increase in player-count, which goes back to what I've been saying about the 45% increase in Cloud usage; 20% sounds pretty good until you realise that equates to just 2000 more people, which is not really all that impressive at all in the grand scheme of things (although all these years later, it is still pretty good), but at least we can see what the numbers mean. 45% with no start or end figure is basically meaningless...
Re: Red Dead Redemption For Xbox Series X|S Has A 50% Launch Discount
I would imagine that there will be a new set of achievements, @SodaPop6548. I think this will be treated like Gears of War: Reloaded, where we can pop them all over again.
I just took a look on Push Square, and they are talking about re-earning the Trophies, so I think it fairly certain that they won't auto-unlock...
Re: Red Dead Redemption For Xbox Series X|S Has A 50% Launch Discount
I'm fairly certain that I have the DLC too, @ElectricWizard. It's not clear whether that is also in the upgraded version either, though I would imagine that it is. It is a little annoying to have to buy it all twice though. I don't mind paying a bit for an upgrade path, but having to buy it all twice is another matter...
Re: Xbox Owners Show Off Their Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2025 Purchases
I've spent around £400 on lots of smaller items this Black Friday, with the only gaming related item being a set of Stealth 700 Gen 3 Turtle Beach headphones that I manged to get for £126, which was a reduction of £54. I think I got 4.2% cashback on the purchase too, but it's not showing in my account right now, so I'm not sure it worked, but that would equate to around £5.92 if it is calculated on the full price that I paid.
As for games, I buy what I want usually by way of pre-order, which means I rarely see anything in the sales that I particularly want. I'm not sure there was any real bargains to be had on the Xbox Store this Black Friday...
Re: Red Dead Redemption For Xbox Series X|S Has A 50% Launch Discount
I had a feeling that was the case, @Chip-Douglas. Thank you for being the bearer of bad news... 😉 😂
Re: Three Games Are Available This Week With Xbox Game Pass (December 1-4)
Whether or not I play the games I selected, very much depends on the reviews, as I already have so much to be getting on with. However, my votes went to Lost Records and Routine...
Re: Red Dead Redemption For Xbox Series X|S Has A 50% Launch Discount
For some reason I fell off the game when it first released, and although I have bought the sequel on both the Xbox and on PC, I have never played that either. So does the first game still hold up to this day...?
Re: Red Dead Redemption For Xbox Series X|S Has A 50% Launch Discount
I have the game on disc, @Kezelpaso, so would I be buying a patch, or have to buy the complete game again?
Re: Xbox Says Cloud Gaming Is Up 45% With Game Pass & Console Users In 2025
Totally understand what you are saying, @ILuvGames, but the point I was making was that would we celebrating just 45 more people? Obviously not, but if we are not told actual figures, then who knows how many more there are now using Cloud? What Microsoft should have done is shout loudly the 45% increased usage, whilst giving us the actual number too. Personally I feel it more important to tell us how long people are using it for too. After all, if you try Cloud gaming for 20 minutes and find it useless, you may not return to it for quite a while. Similarly, if it has gone to 30 or 40 million, just tell us. Also, has it coincided with the launch of the Xbox Ally, or has the increase been seen across PC and Game Pass, etc.. Just saying 45% is not enough. We should not need to search around to find meaning in the figure. Give us the details. That way we can celebrate it properly, rather than wonder why Microsoft are not telling us everything, or having to make are own, ill-informed, conclusions...
Re: Poll: What Do You Think Of Banishers: Ghosts Of New Eden On Xbox Game Pass?
I pre-ordered the Collector's Edition, and absolutely fell in love with the game. Honestly, if you haven't played it already, get on it, you will not regret it...
Re: Xbox Game Pass: All Games Coming Soon In December 2025
I'm curious to see how Routine holds up, but other than that, I cannot see anything that will be of interest to me...
Re: These 30+ Games Are Coming To Xbox Next Week (December 1-5)
Nothing for me this week, which is fine as I have enough to be getting on with...
Re: Xbox Says Cloud Gaming Is Up 45% With Game Pass & Console Users In 2025
I was not attempting to be negative, @ILuvGames, but I was making the point that without knowing what the actual starting figure was, or what it now stands out, saying it's gone up by a certain percentage is meaningless, hence the use of 100 to highlight that it could mean virtually nothing.
If I had said it was on 100,000,000 million to start with, and then said it is now 145,000,000 then similarly it would be seen as an astoundingly impressive increase.
Without the detail though, the figure is worthless.
If an election was held, and a party formed the Government having gained the largest share, then that sound great. However, if that largest share amounted to just 20% of the vote, with the other parties having amassed 80% of the vote between them, then suddenly that party getting elected on just 20% seems pretty poor.
That is the point I was trying to make, but seems to be lost on people. I guess it could be construed as negative if it seen as questioning the results, but truthfully, I'm just pointing out that Microsoft are doing what they always do, and give us really vague, often meaningless, cherry-picked stats. 45% is impressive, but why not tell us the overall number then? Why not tell us how it was achieved, where, for how long Cloud is being used, a breakdown of devices, and if a particular game was a source of much of that time, tell us what it was. There is so much detail that we could be told, but as is always the case, Microsoft seem to obfuscate, and I find it quite frustrating because believe it or not, I'm one of their biggest proponents...
Re: Phil Spencer Was Asked About Xbox's 'Unusual Strategy' In 2019, And The Answers Are Still Relevant Six Years Later
When it comes to whether or not the number of sales of Xboxes is important, @OldGamer999, Microsoft have adopted the age old mantra of only seeing areas that are experiencing growth as being of importance. If a metric is failing or falling, it is unimportant, will be ignored and will not be publicised. If it shows signs of increase, then it is important, and they will crow about it 'till the cows come home.
It's why Microsoft stopped telling us how many consoles were sold, stopped telling us how many subscribers Game Pass has, and stopped telling us how well games sell. They tell us how well Cloud is doing at the moment, because it is seeing growth, but they don't furnish us with enough detail to make sense of what they are telling us.
It's an age old trick that has been deployed by companies and Governments for decades. It's the 'dead cat' scenario, where they tell us to look here because they don't want us to look over there! Even Sony are selective with what they tell us, so it's not Microsoft specific, it's just that right now, Microsoft probably have less to crow about, and so we hear even less from them.
It's the lack of detail that I always find most frustrating. It's difficult to cheer Microsoft on when they only tell us part of the information we need to make an informed decision (although even armed with minimal information, some can find no fault in anything that Microsoft do or say...!)...
Re: Xbox Says Cloud Gaming Is Up 45% With Game Pass & Console Users In 2025
It's not bad faith at all, @fatpunkslim, and I fail to see how my comment could possibly be seen as such. My point remains that without knowing the starting figure, we don't know what the actual figure is.
It's not negativity either, it's pointing out that Microsoft are always, but always, utterly vague with their news. Give us specifics, that's all I am saying.
We also could do with knowing what has caused that spike. Is it the Xbox Ally's arrival that has caused it? What devices has seen that spike? If the rise is 45%, does that also mean that the amount of time spent on Cloud has also increased by 45%, or is it more, or is it less? How long are people actually spending on Cloud? If everyone is trying a game on Game Pass via Cloud for 10 minutes, then that's less important than someone accumulating 10 days worth of play via Cloud.
It's not intended as negativity, it's pointing out that without detail the number is basically meaningless because we know nothing more. If tell me that you've been given a 45% pay rise, it tells me absolutely nothing unless I know what you were earning in the first place! That is the point I am making, yet for some reason you always leap to the the defence of Microsoft, without saying to yourself, 'you know what, he's got a point! 45% of what? How many is that now? How long are they playing for? What has bought about that increase? etc.'
As I say, the devil is in the detail, and I would suggest that if a Government were to make such a claim you would say hang on, give me more information. So what should Microsoft get a pass...?
Re: Talking Point: Are You Looking Forward To Any December Xbox Releases As 2025 Wraps Up?
I am! I have only played Ghost of Yotei on my PS5 this year, and every other game has been played on my Xbox, thus I am expecting another ridiculous amount of hours of my life to have been spent on my Xbox...
Re: Xbox Says Cloud Gaming Is Up 45% With Game Pass & Console Users In 2025
I absolutely agree, @ILuvGames. I think what I was getting at has been completely misinterpreted. I was saying that without the starting figure, then saying it was up by 45% is pretty meaningless.
I think much of that increase will be down to the release of the Xbox Ally, but I also think that having detail would be good. I mean, if 100,000,000 people have used it last year, and that is now 145,000,000 then that's great, but even more useful than knowing that would be how much time it has been used too. If everyone has used it for just 1 minute, then that's not great, but if they have all used it non-stop for 100 days, then that's impressive!
You get my point, the devil is in the detail, and it is the lack of detail that always leaves us guessing, and often leads us to ask why they are not tell us...
Re: Xbox Says Cloud Gaming Is Up 45% With Game Pass & Console Users In 2025
For goodness sake, @fatpunkslim, I wasn't suggesting it was as low as 100 people, and anyone with an ounce of common sense would have realised that.
My point was that without numbers to back up how many the starting point was then saying it has increased by 45% is meaningless. Thus, if the starting figure is 100 people, then 145 is not that good.
As is always the case, you are so desperate to defend Microsoft that you leap in without giving any thought to what has been said.
I know full well that there are more than 100 people using Cloud, and I was never for one moment suggesting that what I was saying was a 'fact'. I was using it for illustrative preposes only...
Re: Phil Spencer Was Asked About Xbox's 'Unusual Strategy' In 2019, And The Answers Are Still Relevant Six Years Later
I get what you are saying, @themightyant, but then how does a Free To Play title work? We are led to believe that it is through DLC and microtransactions, but if that is the case, why can't Gears of War, Halo, Forza, Destiny, Elder Scrolls, Doom, and so on, do exactly the same thing? They all offer huge chunks of DLC and Microtransactions, and arguably, may make more from that than they do with the actual sales of the game...
Re: The Game Awards 2025 First Reveal Confirmed Ahead Of Next Month's Showcase
Personally, I think Andromeda got a lot more hate than it deserved, @RegnumSolipsi, and for the most part that was due to some pretty wild bugs that should have been sorted before the game released. The game was not as good as the original trilogy, but was still at least an 8/10.
I have high hopes for Exodus, but it is the next Mass Effect I am really excited for. Really curious as to what they are going to do with the story, whether Shepherd will still be part of the equation, and just how many of the original crew will return in some capacity. Or indeed, will it be a fresh start when it comes to protagonist and crew...?
Re: Phil Spencer Was Asked About Xbox's 'Unusual Strategy' In 2019, And The Answers Are Still Relevant Six Years Later
That's kind of my point, @ElectricWizard. Play Anywhere is not really play anywhere. It is play on Xbox devices and Xbox platforms. Not as catchy title, but that is far less misleading.
Also, I would imagine that Microsoft could strike a deal with developers or the likes of Sony if they really wanted to, and bearing in mind that Free To Play games can do it, it's not as if it would not be possible to implement it, though obviously that then involves microtransactions.
Certain games absolutely makes sense to be Totally Play Anywhere. Destiny, for example, should be a game that if you buy it on the PlayStation, you should also be able to play it on the Xbox without having to buy it again.
Maybe one day we will get there, but I do find Microsoft to be disingenuous when they say Play Anywhere, because it really isn't...
Re: Xbox Play Anywhere Grew Substantially In October, With 60+ Games Added Last Month
That would make sense to me, @Coletrain, and would also allow Microsoft to crow about it because they have enabled it to happen via financial incentives. With Microsoft taking the credit, I really don't see how third-party developers really benefit...
Re: Xbox Says Cloud Gaming Is Up 45% With Game Pass & Console Users In 2025
I mean, 45% increase is good, but without actual numbers to back it up, it's pretty meaningless. After all, if it was as low as 100 people doing it last year, and it's now 145, would that be considered good...?
Re: Phil Spencer Was Asked About Xbox's 'Unusual Strategy' In 2019, And The Answers Are Still Relevant Six Years Later
If Microsoft believe so firmly in Play Anywhere, why is it not possible to buy a game on the Xbox and then play it on Steam or the PlayStation?
As for console sales being unimportant because that is not where the profit is made, what about the fact the software sales on the Xbox make additional money for Microsoft?
Honestly, I think if Microsoft were selling more Xboxes than Sony were selling PlayStations, then Microsoft would probably be crowing about it (just as Sony justifiably do), and it would then suddenly be an important metric...
Re: Xbox Play Anywhere Grew Substantially In October, With 60+ Games Added Last Month
I get what you are saying, @BAMozzy, but I stand by my point that it is Microsoft that are getting the credit, not the game developer. Microsoft are making a point of telling us that it is a Play Anywhere title, each month announcing each title. Microsoft are setting themselves out as to good guys here, when in fact that credit should go to the developers. It is why I am curious as to whether there is any financial incentive for developers to embrace this because people are not seeing them as the ones responsible for the fact that the game can be played anywhere...