I honestly did not mind explaining, @GamingGod. People on here obviously don't know me, and so when they see me make a comment such as I game for 8 hours a day, they are going to wonder how that can be. Seriously, I did not mind the question, and I just answered it honestly. Please do not feel bad for asking, because I really had no problem with the question. It's all good...
Man having your birthday on the 23rd of December really sucks, @Decimateh. I know that well because mine is on the 22nd! Absolutely awful time of year to have your birthday because your birthday is basically forgotten in the midst of Christmas.
Anyway, I wish you are happy birthday, matey, Enjoy your time off...
This is another of those nonsensical stats that gives no stats. It would be like me saying I'm the oldest person to frequent these forums (I'm not, by the way!) without then saying how old I am. Not only does that not tell you how old I am, but it does not say how much older I am than everyone else.
If you are going to tell us something like this, tell us how many hours were spent playing the game (and, indeed, which game!), and by how many unique users. Microsoft have these details but choose not to tell us. They could tell us what the number 2 and 3 games were too, and tell us how they performed, so that we can see how Call of Duty compares to the next games in the list.
Honestly, the single comment to say it is the most played game, taken on its own, is almost meaningless...
Many people will be in my boat, @Decimateh, and will have Game Pass stacked for months or even years ahead. Cancelling Game Pass may still be the intention for many people (myself included), but they are just seeing out their current plan.
It also needs to be noted that the comment does say 'franchise', so it's not just the most recent game, and Call of Duty as a franchise has been available on Game Pass all year.
It also needs to be remembered that people will buy a months subscription just to play Call of Duty, and may not then return to Game Pass until the next Call of Duty releases. After all, even after the recent price hike, buying a month of Game Pass is still way cheaper than buying the game itself...
I played two games on my PS5 this year, @somnambulance; 121 hours in Days Gone: Remastered and 96 hours in Ghost of Yotei. Just two games, and I think there was only one last year!
I have had my PS5 since day one, and only use it for a few of the exclusives that Sony produce. My Series X, which I have also had since day one, is abused every day, will have been played for well over a 1000 hours this year alone, and is still going strong. My hope is that the forthcoming PCBox is a compelling device, that my Series X lasts through to the time of the commencement of the next generation...
Yes, @GamingGod, I seriously injured my back after whilst a serving Police Officer. It meant that I was not able to stand for more than 10/15 minutes without severe discomfort, and after 20 minutes I was in a huge amount of pain. I struggle to walk, and was told I'd be a in a wheelchair by 65 (I'm 62 in 11 days time!), and now walk with a cane, though obviously with the requirement to stand whilst walking, I don't go far anyway these days. My wife died 3 years ago, I don't watch that much television, and so I now pass the time undertaking my favourite hobby. It's not how I envisaged this stage of my life, but it's okay I guess...
Yes, I bought an Elite Doom controller and the Standard one via the links you provided, and also the Witcher 3 Elite controller, @FraserG. I'm using the Elite Doom controller at the moment, and it really does look nice. The Witcher 3 controller remains in its case and won't be being used. It really is a lovely controller as well...
Thank you, @FraserG, though I will say your site is costing me a fortune! I've just paid £171.38 for an Elite version of the Pip Boy controller via the Design Lab. I also got the case and all the extra gubbins, and they were offering free engraving too, so it even has my name of it.
I did click via the link above, so hopefully your site will receive something in return, but I am grateful for the heads up as the offer is only valid for 3 days...
I'm in the same boat when it comes to films, @BrownOwl. I like to buy all mine physically, and I have probably close to a 1000 all told, many of which I am slowly upgrading to 4K. Funny thing is, I used to buy my films on video, and when DVDs became a thing, I upgraded my collection to DVD, and then when Blu-Rays appeared, I only bought Blu-Rays, and upgraded my favourite films once more. Now I'm going through the whole process again and buying my favourites in 4k. Indeed, only today I bought A Knight's Tale on 4k, which I have had to import from Germany, yet I have bought that film at least 3 times now.
Without counting my collection, I would estimate that I have around 200 4k films, 800 Blu-rays, and probably 300 DVDs, though most of the DVDs are in boxes now.
Funny thing is, I love the convenience of digital, and so pretty much only buy digital games, and have all but given up buying music instead choosing to stream what I listen to, although invariably I listen to Radio One for 4 or 5 hours a day. I have no idea why I still prefer to buy my films physically, but to this day I have never bought one digitally...
I only tend to watch my favourite old films, @BrownOwl, when they release a 4k version of the film, as my actual preference is for the more modern films and television shows.
As someone that lived through the whole 80s music scene, I do occasionally return to my old music, but again, my preference is for more modern music. Even now, as I type this, I am listening to Radio One, a music station I have been listening to since the early 70s when I got my first radio one Christmas. Indeed, I have only ever listened to Radio One, and it's crazy to think that I have been doing so for over 50 years. So, despite the fact that I will be 62 in just over a week, I have very modern music tastes.
So I think with my preference for modern games too, I could easily be described as having very current tastes in pretty much everything...
That is absolutely crazy, @JustinSane. According to True Achievements, I have played just 24 games though many of them will be for between 50 and 621 hours each. I can only guess at the moment, but as I play on average 6 to 8 hours a day so I'd image that my overall total is absolutely ridiculous...
I really want to see my Wrap with Xbox, @somnambulance. I took a look at the True Achievements one via the link above, and I can see that I earned 9821 gamerscore across 24 games, and as I only play larger games, I must have been playing for a while.
What made me chuckle was that my biggest time sink was New World Aternum, which I played entirely solo, and which I played for 628 hours (and that was just this year because I played it solidly since October last year). Plus I only earned 7 achievements in the game! 628 hours in one game, whereas I played only a total of 217 hours on my PS5 across two games.
I know I've played my Xbox for over a thousand hours, I just want to know exactly how much, and you can only get that kind of detail from the official Xbox Wrap...
I did understand what you were getting at, @BrownOwl, but what I would say is that the state of the industry is open to subjection. Personally, I have no problem finding games that I want to play, and it is a few years since I did not finish a game having not enjoyed it, and I play somewhere between 6 and 8 hours a day on average, and do not play multiplayer games. Therefore I would suggest I am pretty happy with things as they are. Would I prefer it if games cost less? Of course I would! Would it be better if games cost less to make? Absolutely! However, we are where we are in that regard, and there's no two ways about it, if you cut the costs in development, you are also likely to lessen the scope of a game. Trim enough off a games developmental costs and a AAA game becomes a AA game. That's not to say it won't be good, but you will likely lessen the overall quality of the game, and pull the reigns too tight and you will see developers becoming risk adverse meaning that games will become more generic, something that gamers are apt to point out and then avoid.
I cannot give you solutions, only point out problems and the wider ramifications of any changes that could be made.
What I will say is that anyone looking at the list of games I mentioned above may say that none of the games that are on there appeal to them in the slightest. However, I do not play all the smaller games that appear on Game Pass, and I am often seen to be saying they do not interest me, though if you read through the comments, there are usually many who do express interest in them. My point is, the state of the industry is subjective for us as gamers. I often see people talking about games that are 10 years plus old, and yet I find difficulty enjoying older games because I like my games to be modern, and yes, I know these games are perfectly fine, but I've been a gamer since I played Pong in the Summer of 1972 as a 9 year old, and I can say with absolute certainty that gamers have been bemoaning the state of the games industry for decades upon decades...
If you take a look at the video that PlayStation posted about games coming in 2026, @BrownOwl, there are still a lot of interesting games coming next year alone.
For me, from that video alone:
Marvel's Wolverine
Resident Evil Requiem
Halo: Campaign Evolved
Saros
007 First Light
Nioh 3
Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Crimson Desert
The Blood of Dawnwalker
Pragmata
I am primarily an Xbox gamer, and will only play those games that are exclusive to Sony on my PS5 (as an example, I have only played 2 games on my PS5 this entire year), all other third-party games I shall play on my Xbox. And all the above games are before the other games that Xbox will be releasing, such as Gears of War: E-Day, Forza Horizon 6, etc.. So I think it is safe to say that there are still a good number of quality games to come next year alone...
You are setting yourself up for major disappointment, @rhyno_888.
There's no two ways about it, Xbox have not chosen to do this, they have been forced to do this both by the Microsoft leadership and also the prevailing winds that Xbox is facing. If things were going swimmingly, Xbox would still have exclusives.
Sony, are facing some challenges too, mostly of their own making whereby they invested too much time and money into failed and failing Live Service games, and not enough money into the type of games that made them what they are today, which has therefore seen far fewer single-player games releasing this generation than is typical for Sony. However, Sony do not have the imperative to put their games on the Xbox in the way that Microsoft do. Thus, the only Sony made games that we will be getting on the Xbox are Live Service games, so you will be waiting quite some time before you get the type of games that you mention. Indeed, I would suggest that if we are ever to get them on the Xbox, it will not be until probably 3 years after the release of the PS6 because Sony still see the value of exclusives as a way to sell consoles. I'm sure Xbox do too, but they have shifted way too few consoles this generation (and last) meaning that they do not have the luxury of waiting to see how their next console performs...
I think there is still a lot of quality coming in game form, @BrownOwl, it's just not necessarily coming from those with a proven past track record. It just seems that the bigger companies have become complacent, and the smaller companies have stepped in to fill the void. Next year certainly seems to have enough games of interest to me to keep me entertained, and I only like AAA games, and the bigger AA games...
Do we know when the Wrap will be released for Xbox 2025, @FraserG? Last year we got it on the 4th of December, and before the one for the PlayStation. This year we've already had the one for PlayStation, and as yet no sign of when the one Xbox is coming. Thanks...
I'm absolutely hopeless at fighting games as my ADHD affects my memory meaning I cannot recall combos. Any games that has light and heavy attacks I'm fine with, but any games that involves more than a couple of buttons and I'm lost.
I guess with Mortal Kombat going on Game Pass, I can at least give it a go, but probabilities are that my attempt will be futile. Still, I might give it a go.
That does not bode well for future games in the franchises that go with the deal. It also suggests that they will be sold off cheaply without any understanding for their value. Tis a real shame because we know what will happen; they will either be shut down, sold off and shut down, or sold off and some pretty poor games made as a consequence...
Have to say that I would not want to be in any category in which Expedition 33 has been nominated, because deserving or not, it has the industry abuzz, and so will sweep up at pretty much every award ceremony.
I played Expedition 33 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I do believe that the performances were the best I experienced in any games this year, as was the music. I have to say, I think without such good music, the game may not have been quite the hit that it was as it is a huge part of the appeal of the game.
It will definitely be interesting to see who gets the award in the Performer In A Supporting role category where there are four people from Expedition 33. I imagine that is some sort of record! Personally, I hope the award goes to Charlie Cox because he really put some emotion into his performance that elevated the game...
Really disappointed to see that Cronos: The New Dawn is missing out on any of the categories. I'd have thought it was easily good enough to be nominated in the Audio Achievement, Debut Game, and New Intellectual Property categories, and for my money, in the Best Game category too. Cronos was easily the best game I played this year, and I played a few of the other nominees...
Although I pre-ordered the original Assassin's Creed: Black Flag on the 360, and still have it on disc, I never actually played it, so providing it is a half-decent updated version, I will pre-order it once more though this time I resolve to play it...
In a real rarity, Ultimate actually gets 3 of the 4 titles on offer here, though even then, PC still got more! There's no two ways about it, PC is the service that is getting fatter out of all the tiers, though that maybe good news for when the PCBox finally arrives.
What I will say though, is that in my opinion, this is a pretty weak selection of titles to end the year on, and if this is a sign of the type of titles that will form the bulk of those '75 Day One Titles' that will be hitting the service, then we are in for many, many such disappointments. Indeed, it looks like most of the best day one games we will be getting will be first-party titles, and most third-party day one games will be little more than filler.
Personally, I'd rather Microsoft gave a commitment to just 24 day one titles a year, taking the money from the 50 games they would have been paying to put on the service towards bigger and better titles. After all, most of us struggle to finish two reasonably sized games a month as is, so having just two would probably be fine. I know you could probably whip through 6 games a month if they can all be done and dusted inside a day or two, which is probably the case with many that we will be getting, but I think you will probably have to accept they will be of lesser quality with that too...
Just because he calls something first-party doesn't make it so, @Stinkie, at least that is my take on it. I mean, I call myself well behaved, but I'm sure plenty of my family would disagree! 😂
I think the crucial part to the equation is the game being developed by an in-house studio, thus an in-house studio working on an IP they do not own would still be a first-party game in my books.
If a game is developed by an external studio, but published by Sony or Microsoft then I would suggest that would be a second-party game, and a third-party game is obvious to everyone.
Yoshida claiming the likes of Death Stranding to be a first-party game is just a means of trying to bolster the number of titles they can term as such in an era where the number of first-party games is falling. They do it in order to keep fans, and more importantly investors, happy, but like I said above, just because you present a lie as fact does not make it true...
I don't know about the hype (my memory doesn't stretch that far back), but I know I really, really enjoyed the campaign both solo and in co-op. I went through the campaign 4 times; twice solo, the second of which was on Legendary, and twice in co-op, the second of which was on Legendary. I think the campaign particularly shines on the hardest difficulties.
I cannot speak to the multiplayer as I still, to this day, have not touched it once...
I gave my customary long winded explanation @16, @Weebleman, which basically said exactly the same as you did. These sales do matter both now and in the future...
Is it me, or is it on later this year, @Kezelpaso? I usually like to stay up and watch it (for my sins!), but starting at 12:30 a.m. in the UK may be just a tad to late even for me...
I'm a little confused, @FraserG, which is nothing new by the way! What counts as a first-party title? I always thought for a game to be considered 'first-party', it has to be made by the company that owns it. Team Ninja and Platinum Games made Ninja Gaiden 4. It was just published by Xbox. Does being published by Xbox mean it is first-party, or is really second party, or indeed third-party?
My head is spinning and I think I may need a lie down... 😂
It does add fuel to the fire that no one is buying Xbox consoles anymore, @FraserG & @OldGamer999, and it is a terrible look for the brand.
What also needs to be remembered, is that many of those consoles will go to children at Christmas as their very first consoles, meaning that they will grow up to be fully-fledged PlayStation gamers.
What also needs to be remembered is that, if you take the numbers in their most literal sense that those people that invested in a PlayStation will be buying 50%+ more games on PlayStation than on the Xbox. That means vastly more income for Sony than it does for Microsoft, and that will directly hurt Xbox gamers. As an example, if each one of those that invested in an Xbox and PS5 in this Black Friday sale, go on to buy next years Call of Duty, then 10% of them will have been bought on the Xbox as opposed to 62% on the PlayStation.
In other words, it is not just this particular Black Friday sales that matter, but also the far reaching affects that it has in the future...
I hope that Microsoft can do better than this whilst honouring their commitment to 75 days one Game Pass games a year, and also hope that they start to prioritise console rather than PC, because without doubt more titles have been for PC Game Pass than console Game Pass throughout 2025...
This is probably the first-party game I am most looking forward to (outside Gears of War: E-Day!), @OldGamer999, so I would rather that inXile take their time and get it right (and polished). I kick-started their last game (Wasteland 3), and that game, whilst completely different in style, did not release in the best of conditions.
Unfortunately, Microsoft has a habit of releasing games that score around 8, and whilst that is not a terrible score, it is the reason that so few Microsoft made games ever trouble the Game of the Year awards. Thus, I would be happy even if inXile told us the game was not coming until 2027 if it meant they released the best possible version of the game, in the best possible state...
I've never played a Carmageddon game but I do have some interest in driving games, and I do like rogue-likes, so Carmageddon: Rogue Shift is most definitely something I might play.
I remember Hellraiser when it first appeared on our screens back in the 80s, and I like the look of Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, so will almost certainly pick this one up, although I will probably await reviews first.
I've had my eye on Crimson Desert since it was first revealed because I love the graphics, and it looks like a game that I could sink several hundred hours into. Pretty excited for this one.
Luna Abyss gives Returnal vibes, and as Returnal is one of only 5 games I have played on my PS5 this generation (a console that I have owned since day one!), and is also one of my favourite games this generation, I was will undoubtedly be playing it. Very much looking forward to this one.
Lastly The Relic: First Guardian looks like it could be something that I would enjoy, although I'd need to see much more of it before being able to make an informed decision.
Still, 5 potential purchases from a showcase is good going in my books, so pretty impressed overall...
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...
Comments 4,249
Re: Is 'Xbox Wrapped' Happening For 2025? Fans Clearly Want To See It
I honestly did not mind explaining, @GamingGod. People on here obviously don't know me, and so when they see me make a comment such as I game for 8 hours a day, they are going to wonder how that can be. Seriously, I did not mind the question, and I just answered it honestly. Please do not feel bad for asking, because I really had no problem with the question. It's all good...
Re: Call Of Duty Is The #1 Franchise On Xbox Game Pass For 'Total Players & Hours' In 2025
Man having your birthday on the 23rd of December really sucks, @Decimateh. I know that well because mine is on the 22nd! Absolutely awful time of year to have your birthday because your birthday is basically forgotten in the midst of Christmas.
Anyway, I wish you are happy birthday, matey, Enjoy your time off...
Re: Call Of Duty Is The #1 Franchise On Xbox Game Pass For 'Total Players & Hours' In 2025
All good, @Decimateh. Hopefully you'll be having some time off over Christmas...
Re: Halo 3 Wins 'Game Of The Year' As GameStop Reveals Its Full Set Of Awards For 2025
Er...right! Well I guess it's nice to see Xbox win something... 😂
Re: Call Of Duty Is The #1 Franchise On Xbox Game Pass For 'Total Players & Hours' In 2025
This is another of those nonsensical stats that gives no stats. It would be like me saying I'm the oldest person to frequent these forums (I'm not, by the way!) without then saying how old I am. Not only does that not tell you how old I am, but it does not say how much older I am than everyone else.
If you are going to tell us something like this, tell us how many hours were spent playing the game (and, indeed, which game!), and by how many unique users. Microsoft have these details but choose not to tell us. They could tell us what the number 2 and 3 games were too, and tell us how they performed, so that we can see how Call of Duty compares to the next games in the list.
Honestly, the single comment to say it is the most played game, taken on its own, is almost meaningless...
Re: Call Of Duty Is The #1 Franchise On Xbox Game Pass For 'Total Players & Hours' In 2025
Many people will be in my boat, @Decimateh, and will have Game Pass stacked for months or even years ahead. Cancelling Game Pass may still be the intention for many people (myself included), but they are just seeing out their current plan.
It also needs to be noted that the comment does say 'franchise', so it's not just the most recent game, and Call of Duty as a franchise has been available on Game Pass all year.
It also needs to be remembered that people will buy a months subscription just to play Call of Duty, and may not then return to Game Pass until the next Call of Duty releases. After all, even after the recent price hike, buying a month of Game Pass is still way cheaper than buying the game itself...
Re: These Two Games Are Your Final Xbox Game Pass Additions For 2025 (December 10-11)
Sounds like a plan, @Jenkinss. Did you need to remember combos, or was button mashing suffice, as I know which one I will resort too...?
Re: Is 'Xbox Wrapped' Happening For 2025? Fans Clearly Want To See It
I played two games on my PS5 this year, @somnambulance; 121 hours in Days Gone: Remastered and 96 hours in Ghost of Yotei. Just two games, and I think there was only one last year!
I have had my PS5 since day one, and only use it for a few of the exclusives that Sony produce. My Series X, which I have also had since day one, is abused every day, will have been played for well over a 1000 hours this year alone, and is still going strong. My hope is that the forthcoming PCBox is a compelling device, that my Series X lasts through to the time of the commencement of the next generation...
Re: These Two Games Are Your Final Xbox Game Pass Additions For 2025 (December 10-11)
I actually took a look at the reviews, @themightyant & @Kezelpaso, and apparently it is an improvement on past games, so there's that, I guess... 😂
Re: Is 'Xbox Wrapped' Happening For 2025? Fans Clearly Want To See It
Yes, @GamingGod, I seriously injured my back after whilst a serving Police Officer. It meant that I was not able to stand for more than 10/15 minutes without severe discomfort, and after 20 minutes I was in a huge amount of pain. I struggle to walk, and was told I'd be a in a wheelchair by 65 (I'm 62 in 11 days time!), and now walk with a cane, though obviously with the requirement to stand whilst walking, I don't go far anyway these days. My wife died 3 years ago, I don't watch that much television, and so I now pass the time undertaking my favourite hobby. It's not how I envisaged this stage of my life, but it's okay I guess...
Re: Xbox Announces New Fallout Pip-Boy Controllers, And They're Available To Buy Now
Yes, I bought an Elite Doom controller and the Standard one via the links you provided, and also the Witcher 3 Elite controller, @FraserG. I'm using the Elite Doom controller at the moment, and it really does look nice. The Witcher 3 controller remains in its case and won't be being used. It really is a lovely controller as well...
Re: Xbox Announces New Fallout Pip-Boy Controllers, And They're Available To Buy Now
Thank you, @FraserG, though I will say your site is costing me a fortune! I've just paid £171.38 for an Elite version of the Pip Boy controller via the Design Lab. I also got the case and all the extra gubbins, and they were offering free engraving too, so it even has my name of it.
I did click via the link above, so hopefully your site will receive something in return, but I am grateful for the heads up as the offer is only valid for 3 days...
Re: Netflix Didn't 'Attribute Any Value' To Warner Bros. Games As Part Of WB Takeover Bid
I'm in the same boat when it comes to films, @BrownOwl. I like to buy all mine physically, and I have probably close to a 1000 all told, many of which I am slowly upgrading to 4K. Funny thing is, I used to buy my films on video, and when DVDs became a thing, I upgraded my collection to DVD, and then when Blu-Rays appeared, I only bought Blu-Rays, and upgraded my favourite films once more. Now I'm going through the whole process again and buying my favourites in 4k. Indeed, only today I bought A Knight's Tale on 4k, which I have had to import from Germany, yet I have bought that film at least 3 times now.
Without counting my collection, I would estimate that I have around 200 4k films, 800 Blu-rays, and probably 300 DVDs, though most of the DVDs are in boxes now.
Funny thing is, I love the convenience of digital, and so pretty much only buy digital games, and have all but given up buying music instead choosing to stream what I listen to, although invariably I listen to Radio One for 4 or 5 hours a day. I have no idea why I still prefer to buy my films physically, but to this day I have never bought one digitally...
Re: Netflix Didn't 'Attribute Any Value' To Warner Bros. Games As Part Of WB Takeover Bid
I only tend to watch my favourite old films, @BrownOwl, when they release a 4k version of the film, as my actual preference is for the more modern films and television shows.
As someone that lived through the whole 80s music scene, I do occasionally return to my old music, but again, my preference is for more modern music. Even now, as I type this, I am listening to Radio One, a music station I have been listening to since the early 70s when I got my first radio one Christmas. Indeed, I have only ever listened to Radio One, and it's crazy to think that I have been doing so for over 50 years. So, despite the fact that I will be 62 in just over a week, I have very modern music tastes.
So I think with my preference for modern games too, I could easily be described as having very current tastes in pretty much everything...
Re: Is 'Xbox Wrapped' Happening For 2025? Fans Clearly Want To See It
That is absolutely crazy, @JustinSane. According to True Achievements, I have played just 24 games though many of them will be for between 50 and 621 hours each. I can only guess at the moment, but as I play on average 6 to 8 hours a day so I'd image that my overall total is absolutely ridiculous...
Re: Is 'Xbox Wrapped' Happening For 2025? Fans Clearly Want To See It
I really want to see my Wrap with Xbox, @somnambulance. I took a look at the True Achievements one via the link above, and I can see that I earned 9821 gamerscore across 24 games, and as I only play larger games, I must have been playing for a while.
What made me chuckle was that my biggest time sink was New World Aternum, which I played entirely solo, and which I played for 628 hours (and that was just this year because I played it solidly since October last year). Plus I only earned 7 achievements in the game! 628 hours in one game, whereas I played only a total of 217 hours on my PS5 across two games.
I know I've played my Xbox for over a thousand hours, I just want to know exactly how much, and you can only get that kind of detail from the official Xbox Wrap...
Re: Netflix Didn't 'Attribute Any Value' To Warner Bros. Games As Part Of WB Takeover Bid
I did understand what you were getting at, @BrownOwl, but what I would say is that the state of the industry is open to subjection. Personally, I have no problem finding games that I want to play, and it is a few years since I did not finish a game having not enjoyed it, and I play somewhere between 6 and 8 hours a day on average, and do not play multiplayer games. Therefore I would suggest I am pretty happy with things as they are. Would I prefer it if games cost less? Of course I would! Would it be better if games cost less to make? Absolutely! However, we are where we are in that regard, and there's no two ways about it, if you cut the costs in development, you are also likely to lessen the scope of a game. Trim enough off a games developmental costs and a AAA game becomes a AA game. That's not to say it won't be good, but you will likely lessen the overall quality of the game, and pull the reigns too tight and you will see developers becoming risk adverse meaning that games will become more generic, something that gamers are apt to point out and then avoid.
I cannot give you solutions, only point out problems and the wider ramifications of any changes that could be made.
What I will say is that anyone looking at the list of games I mentioned above may say that none of the games that are on there appeal to them in the slightest. However, I do not play all the smaller games that appear on Game Pass, and I am often seen to be saying they do not interest me, though if you read through the comments, there are usually many who do express interest in them. My point is, the state of the industry is subjective for us as gamers. I often see people talking about games that are 10 years plus old, and yet I find difficulty enjoying older games because I like my games to be modern, and yes, I know these games are perfectly fine, but I've been a gamer since I played Pong in the Summer of 1972 as a 9 year old, and I can say with absolute certainty that gamers have been bemoaning the state of the games industry for decades upon decades...
Re: Is 'Xbox Wrapped' Happening For 2025? Fans Clearly Want To See It
Thank you, @FraserG. I always appreciate the efforts you and your team do for these forums... 😊
Re: Netflix Didn't 'Attribute Any Value' To Warner Bros. Games As Part Of WB Takeover Bid
If you take a look at the video that PlayStation posted about games coming in 2026, @BrownOwl, there are still a lot of interesting games coming next year alone.
For me, from that video alone:
Marvel's Wolverine
Resident Evil Requiem
Halo: Campaign Evolved
Saros
007 First Light
Nioh 3
Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Crimson Desert
The Blood of Dawnwalker
Pragmata
I am primarily an Xbox gamer, and will only play those games that are exclusive to Sony on my PS5 (as an example, I have only played 2 games on my PS5 this entire year), all other third-party games I shall play on my Xbox. And all the above games are before the other games that Xbox will be releasing, such as Gears of War: E-Day, Forza Horizon 6, etc.. So I think it is safe to say that there are still a good number of quality games to come next year alone...
Re: PlayStation Highlights Halo: Campaign Evolved As One Of Its 'Must-Play' Games For 2026
You are setting yourself up for major disappointment, @rhyno_888.
There's no two ways about it, Xbox have not chosen to do this, they have been forced to do this both by the Microsoft leadership and also the prevailing winds that Xbox is facing. If things were going swimmingly, Xbox would still have exclusives.
Sony, are facing some challenges too, mostly of their own making whereby they invested too much time and money into failed and failing Live Service games, and not enough money into the type of games that made them what they are today, which has therefore seen far fewer single-player games releasing this generation than is typical for Sony. However, Sony do not have the imperative to put their games on the Xbox in the way that Microsoft do. Thus, the only Sony made games that we will be getting on the Xbox are Live Service games, so you will be waiting quite some time before you get the type of games that you mention. Indeed, I would suggest that if we are ever to get them on the Xbox, it will not be until probably 3 years after the release of the PS6 because Sony still see the value of exclusives as a way to sell consoles. I'm sure Xbox do too, but they have shifted way too few consoles this generation (and last) meaning that they do not have the luxury of waiting to see how their next console performs...
Re: Netflix Didn't 'Attribute Any Value' To Warner Bros. Games As Part Of WB Takeover Bid
I think there is still a lot of quality coming in game form, @BrownOwl, it's just not necessarily coming from those with a proven past track record. It just seems that the bigger companies have become complacent, and the smaller companies have stepped in to fill the void. Next year certainly seems to have enough games of interest to me to keep me entertained, and I only like AAA games, and the bigger AA games...
Re: These Two Games Are Your Final Xbox Game Pass Additions For 2025 (December 10-11)
Wow! That must be pretty much a record low for any game on Steam, @Kezelpaso. I wonder how much Microsoft paid to put it on Game Pass...? 🤔
Re: It's That Time Again! Your Xbox 'Year In Review' 2024 Is Now Available
Thank you as always, @FraserG...
Re: It's That Time Again! Your Xbox 'Year In Review' 2024 Is Now Available
Do we know when the Wrap will be released for Xbox 2025, @FraserG? Last year we got it on the 4th of December, and before the one for the PlayStation. This year we've already had the one for PlayStation, and as yet no sign of when the one Xbox is coming. Thanks...
Re: These Two Games Are Your Final Xbox Game Pass Additions For 2025 (December 10-11)
I'm absolutely hopeless at fighting games as my ADHD affects my memory meaning I cannot recall combos. Any games that has light and heavy attacks I'm fine with, but any games that involves more than a couple of buttons and I'm lost.
I guess with Mortal Kombat going on Game Pass, I can at least give it a go, but probabilities are that my attempt will be futile. Still, I might give it a go.
The other game holds no interest for me...
Re: Netflix Didn't 'Attribute Any Value' To Warner Bros. Games As Part Of WB Takeover Bid
That does not bode well for future games in the franchises that go with the deal. It also suggests that they will be sold off cheaply without any understanding for their value. Tis a real shame because we know what will happen; they will either be shut down, sold off and shut down, or sold off and some pretty poor games made as a consequence...
Re: Xbox Up For 'Best Game' At The BAFTA Awards 2026, But There's A Long Road Ahead
Have to say that I would not want to be in any category in which Expedition 33 has been nominated, because deserving or not, it has the industry abuzz, and so will sweep up at pretty much every award ceremony.
I played Expedition 33 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I do believe that the performances were the best I experienced in any games this year, as was the music. I have to say, I think without such good music, the game may not have been quite the hit that it was as it is a huge part of the appeal of the game.
It will definitely be interesting to see who gets the award in the Performer In A Supporting role category where there are four people from Expedition 33. I imagine that is some sort of record! Personally, I hope the award goes to Charlie Cox because he really put some emotion into his performance that elevated the game...
Re: Xbox Up For 'Best Game' At The BAFTA Awards 2026, But There's A Long Road Ahead
Really disappointed to see that Cronos: The New Dawn is missing out on any of the categories. I'd have thought it was easily good enough to be nominated in the Audio Achievement, Debut Game, and New Intellectual Property categories, and for my money, in the Best Game category too. Cronos was easily the best game I played this year, and I played a few of the other nominees...
Re: 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced' Gets PEGI Rating Ahead Of The Game Awards 2025
Although I pre-ordered the original Assassin's Creed: Black Flag on the 360, and still have it on disc, I never actually played it, so providing it is a half-decent updated version, I will pre-order it once more though this time I resolve to play it...
Re: Xbox Exec Teases 'Exciting' Plans For 2026 When Asked About OG Xbox Titles & Game Pass
Good to see you, @Kaloudz! It's been a while, buddy. I'm lost without someone to annoy... 😂
Re: Xbox & Bethesda Shadow Drop Another Switch 2 Game, And You'll Never Guess What It Is
I'm going to guess Skyrim, @Kezelpaso. Am I right? Do I get a prize...?
Re: Four Games Are Available Today With Xbox Game Pass (December 9)
In a real rarity, Ultimate actually gets 3 of the 4 titles on offer here, though even then, PC still got more! There's no two ways about it, PC is the service that is getting fatter out of all the tiers, though that maybe good news for when the PCBox finally arrives.
What I will say though, is that in my opinion, this is a pretty weak selection of titles to end the year on, and if this is a sign of the type of titles that will form the bulk of those '75 Day One Titles' that will be hitting the service, then we are in for many, many such disappointments. Indeed, it looks like most of the best day one games we will be getting will be first-party titles, and most third-party day one games will be little more than filler.
Personally, I'd rather Microsoft gave a commitment to just 24 day one titles a year, taking the money from the 50 games they would have been paying to put on the service towards bigger and better titles. After all, most of us struggle to finish two reasonably sized games a month as is, so having just two would probably be fine. I know you could probably whip through 6 games a month if they can all be done and dusted inside a day or two, which is probably the case with many that we will be getting, but I think you will probably have to accept they will be of lesser quality with that too...
Re: Four Xbox First-Party Releases Mentioned In GamesRadar's Top 25 Games Of 2025
Just because he calls something first-party doesn't make it so, @Stinkie, at least that is my take on it. I mean, I call myself well behaved, but I'm sure plenty of my family would disagree! 😂
I think the crucial part to the equation is the game being developed by an in-house studio, thus an in-house studio working on an IP they do not own would still be a first-party game in my books.
If a game is developed by an external studio, but published by Sony or Microsoft then I would suggest that would be a second-party game, and a third-party game is obvious to everyone.
Yoshida claiming the likes of Death Stranding to be a first-party game is just a means of trying to bolster the number of titles they can term as such in an era where the number of first-party games is falling. They do it in order to keep fans, and more importantly investors, happy, but like I said above, just because you present a lie as fact does not make it true...
Re: Xbox Series X|S Had No Black Friday Deals, So They Lost To A Console We've Never Heard Of (US)
Absolutely no need for an apology, @Weebleman. My point was that we both think the same thing, you just get to the point quicker than I do... 😂👍
Re: Talking Point: Four Years On, Did Halo Infinite Ever Live Up To Expectations?
I don't know about the hype (my memory doesn't stretch that far back), but I know I really, really enjoyed the campaign both solo and in co-op. I went through the campaign 4 times; twice solo, the second of which was on Legendary, and twice in co-op, the second of which was on Legendary. I think the campaign particularly shines on the hardest difficulties.
I cannot speak to the multiplayer as I still, to this day, have not touched it once...
Re: Xbox Series X|S Had No Black Friday Deals, So They Lost To A Console We've Never Heard Of (US)
I gave my customary long winded explanation @16, @Weebleman, which basically said exactly the same as you did. These sales do matter both now and in the future...
Re: The Game Awards 2025: Date, Start Times & Everything You Need To Know
Oh, wow, @Kezelpaso & @FraserG. I always stay up to watch it too. I obviously forgot that it finishes so late... 🤪
Re: The Game Awards 2025: Date, Start Times & Everything You Need To Know
Is it me, or is it on later this year, @Kezelpaso? I usually like to stay up and watch it (for my sins!), but starting at 12:30 a.m. in the UK may be just a tad to late even for me...
Re: Four Xbox First-Party Releases Mentioned In GamesRadar's Top 25 Games Of 2025
I'm not a trouble maker, @FraserG. Honest! 😂
I am just genuinely confused by the term these days, and what qualifies as what...
Re: Four Xbox First-Party Releases Mentioned In GamesRadar's Top 25 Games Of 2025
I'm a little confused, @FraserG, which is nothing new by the way! What counts as a first-party title? I always thought for a game to be considered 'first-party', it has to be made by the company that owns it. Team Ninja and Platinum Games made Ninja Gaiden 4. It was just published by Xbox. Does being published by Xbox mean it is first-party, or is really second party, or indeed third-party?
My head is spinning and I think I may need a lie down... 😂
Re: Xbox Series X|S Had No Black Friday Deals, So They Lost To A Console We've Never Heard Of (US)
It does add fuel to the fire that no one is buying Xbox consoles anymore, @FraserG & @OldGamer999, and it is a terrible look for the brand.
What also needs to be remembered, is that many of those consoles will go to children at Christmas as their very first consoles, meaning that they will grow up to be fully-fledged PlayStation gamers.
What also needs to be remembered is that, if you take the numbers in their most literal sense that those people that invested in a PlayStation will be buying 50%+ more games on PlayStation than on the Xbox. That means vastly more income for Sony than it does for Microsoft, and that will directly hurt Xbox gamers. As an example, if each one of those that invested in an Xbox and PS5 in this Black Friday sale, go on to buy next years Call of Duty, then 10% of them will have been bought on the Xbox as opposed to 62% on the PlayStation.
In other words, it is not just this particular Black Friday sales that matter, but also the far reaching affects that it has in the future...
Re: Netflix Is Buying Warner Bros. For Even More Money Than Xbox's ActiBlizz Deal
Looking at the two deals, I would say that Netflix is getting better value for its money...
Re: Xbox Finishes Off The Week With Two New Game Pass Reveals, Both For Next Month
I hope that Microsoft can do better than this whilst honouring their commitment to 75 days one Game Pass games a year, and also hope that they start to prioritise console rather than PC, because without doubt more titles have been for PC Game Pass than console Game Pass throughout 2025...
Re: Clockwork Revolution Dev Shares New Message About Its Eagerly Anticipated Xbox RPG
This is probably the first-party game I am most looking forward to (outside Gears of War: E-Day!), @OldGamer999, so I would rather that inXile take their time and get it right (and polished). I kick-started their last game (Wasteland 3), and that game, whilst completely different in style, did not release in the best of conditions.
Unfortunately, Microsoft has a habit of releasing games that score around 8, and whilst that is not a terrible score, it is the reason that so few Microsoft made games ever trouble the Game of the Year awards. Thus, I would be happy even if inXile told us the game was not coming until 2027 if it meant they released the best possible version of the game, in the best possible state...
Re: Roundup: All The Xbox Reveals From The PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2025
I've never played a Carmageddon game but I do have some interest in driving games, and I do like rogue-likes, so Carmageddon: Rogue Shift is most definitely something I might play.
I remember Hellraiser when it first appeared on our screens back in the 80s, and I like the look of Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, so will almost certainly pick this one up, although I will probably await reviews first.
I've had my eye on Crimson Desert since it was first revealed because I love the graphics, and it looks like a game that I could sink several hundred hours into. Pretty excited for this one.
Luna Abyss gives Returnal vibes, and as Returnal is one of only 5 games I have played on my PS5 this generation (a console that I have owned since day one!), and is also one of my favourite games this generation, I was will undoubtedly be playing it. Very much looking forward to this one.
Lastly The Relic: First Guardian looks like it could be something that I would enjoy, although I'd need to see much more of it before being able to make an informed decision.
Still, 5 potential purchases from a showcase is good going in my books, so pretty impressed overall...
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...