This weekend, when playing solo, I will be continuing my current run of XCOM 2 on my Pro. I first played the game a couple of times on my PC when it first released, and then played it a couple of times on my Xbox when I bought it there. Now I'm playing it on my Pro. I told myself that I would not re-buy games that I already own, but when it is so cheap, and so good, it is difficult to stick to my plans. What I will say though is that the game has probably crashed on me at least once each day, and I have to say I don't recall it doing that when I played it on my Xbox (or my PC), although it has been a couple of years since I played it, and I don't have the best memory. Anyway, it's one of my favourite games of all time, and I am loving re-playing it now.
Lastly, tomorrow I will be playing a Master Horde run in Gears 5 with my youngest son and my mate. We will be attempting the Harbour map as a trio on the hardest mode, which is intended for a team of 5. We have so far managed to complete 18 of the 37 maps on Master as a trio, but we are struggling with this one. We have been trying for 4 or 5 weeks now, which I think is the longest any of the maps have taken us. We'll get there, but we need everything to go right, in particular the boss waves, which is where we are mostly failing because there is so little cover, and every boss is available to the map. It's fun, but very difficult...
My biggest desire for Xbox is to have the ability to hide games that I either own, or have no desire to own, in the Xbox Store sales.
I buy a lot of games, and I mean a lot! I have over 1700 games in my digital library on my Series X. What this means is that when I view the sales I see many, many games that I already own, and if I could hide them, and also hide games that I will never, ever buy, then instead of perusing a thousand games, I would instead be looking at just a couple of hundred, and that number would go down each week as I hide even more games.
They also need to automatically hide inferior versions of games that I already own; so, if I buy the Deluxe version of a game, then not only should that game not be shown to me, but also the Standard version too, because whilst I do not own the Standard game, I wouldn't buy it because I already own the superior version.
Honestly, this would be such a simple Quality of Life thing to implement, and it annoys me that every time I have to look through the same games week in, week out, to the point that sometimes I don't even bother to look, particularly when there are several thousand on sale. That means Microsoft are missing out on a potential purchase from me because I cannot be bothered to look through reams and reams of games that I have no interest in...
Thank you, @LordDieALot. I've been on the Insider program for years and years now, but honestly, I don't recall ever actually engaging with it. I'll have to take a look and see what's what...
I'm not going to lie, that is a pretty lame way of doing this, @FraserG. Writing what you would like on Pure Xbox in the hope that maybe someone will see it is not ideal at all. There should be a dedicated place where people can impart their suggestions...
I think it is a great start, and there is no doubt that Sharma's background in PR is shining brightly. She knows how to please a crowd, which is a real bonus in a boss...
50% increase in the price of Ultimate Game Pass, and the promise of 75 Day One games in a year, and we get Tiny Bookshop, a game you can get for ÂĢ4.33 on PC! Sorry, but that simply is not good enough. I'm sure the game will please a few, but I expect better than that for my money...
I think there is a strong possibility that this was long planned to be part of the 25th anniversary celebrations, @ilyn. I honestly cannot see Sharma seeing this as a priority now that she is boss. She may have decided when it was revealed, but the likelihood is that it was ready to go for release at some point in 2026...
Honestly, @Cakefish & @Coletrain, I'd be shocked if Sharma had much to do with any of the recent improvements. She is just at the helm when these things are being revealed, and is understandably being credited with them because she is in place when they are being seen. The most likely scenario here is that these improvements were always intended to be released during the course of 2026 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Xbox. It just so happens that the leadership has changed. All these small improvements (and they are genuinely improvements), will have taken time to sort out, and are highly unlikely to have been rushed out the door inside a month. Sharma was put in charge of Xbox because it has much bigger problems than the way its achievement system works!
I honestly like the fact that I think she is more PR savvy than Spencer was, and she knows how to make a splash. That is definitely something that Xbox needs, but just as with the Helix she cannot be credited with the creation of this device. It was conceived long before she even joined Microsoft! And so it is, I think, with the achievement overhaul. Conceived prior to her becoming boss, but only now being revealed...
I'd be absolutely shocked if this is Sharma's doing, @TheGameThrifter. These improvements have probably been in the works for a few months.
It's likely to be 2 or 3 years before we really see Sharma's vision for Xbox. Until then, most of what happens, maybe everything that happens, will just be things she can take credit for without actually being the one that implemented it in the first place.
Xbox is like a huge tanker, set on a particular course, with it taking months or even years to change direction, and steering the ship in a different direction takes time to take effect...
Does PSVR2 give you motion sickness, @Katiecooh? I have been tempted to get it, but I can sometimes (rarely) get motion sickness playing standard games, and so the idea of forking out serious cash for a VR headset only to find it gives me motion sickness has stopped me buying one...
Hi, @Titntin. You've definitely sold it to me. I will be playing it soon, but as I am someone that is happy to put hundreds of hours into a game I am loving (think Fallout, Skyrim etc.) and have pretty unlimited patience, it sounds like I am in for a good time.
I'm not one for hoping between games. I like to finish what I am playing before moving on to the next game. That is why I decided to put off starting Crimson Desert until after I have finished both Pragmata and Saros. I am really looking forward to those two titles, and they are likely to be done and dusted pretty quickly in comparison to CD.
Your review has me really looking forward to it though...
I totally agree that would be the sensible thing to do, @ZeD. Unfortunately I a rarely sensible! I like to get the pre-order bonuses, always have done, so I prefer to get my games early and then play them when I can get round to them. But yes, I know that it is foolish. I am trying to be better at this, honestly, and am buying fewer games now than I used too. I'm still buying a lot, mind you, but I am trying my best to only buy games when I have a period when I know I will play them (doesn't always work out that way, but I am trying!)...
That is exactly what my son said to me, @GeeEssEff; it gets better the longer it goes on. Also, we worked out when to start watching it so as to have watched them all right in time for the release of the last episode of Season 4... ð
The game does not interest me, @Markatron84, as I am useless at fighting games, and don't play competitive games, but the series is certainly interesting and surprisingly violent. I bit like a cartoon version of the Boys...
How are you finding Crimson Desert, @Titntin? I pre-ordered it but have not yet started it (properly) as I didn't think I would finish it in time for the release of Pragmata (and then Saros), and I also wanted to see some updates first...
The only one that interests me from that list is Hades 2, and whereas I bought the first game (on PC) back when it first released, I'll be playing the second game on Game Pass because although I played the first game for a long time, I only reached the end once (and then promptly died!), and so I feel that I want to see how I get on with the sequel via Game Pass this time rather than splurging cash this time.
When I will have time to play it is another matter entirely...
My youngest son has just talked me into watching the series, @GeeEssEff. We watch just one episode together each evening, and are on episode 3 of the first series tonight, so not very far into it. I keep teasing him that it is a cartoon, but am enjoying it... ð
I was there day one for the OG Xbox having laid down a deposit of ÂĢ20 in Game (although part of me is now wondering whether it was not in fact Electronic Boutique, but my memory won't settle on an answer). I remember walking from my office in CID at Charles Cross Police Station here in Plymouth, and collecting it, and then leaving it in plain sight on my desk for my fellow Detectives to see.
I also put down a deposit for the day one release of the 360, and remember walking into Game (definitely, this time!), only to find out that they did not have a console for me, so I ended up leaving the store with an armful of games and a spare controller, but no console to use them with! Anyway, as it was intended as a birthday present for me, my (now deceased) wife told me to look on eBay for one, and I managed to find one for sale in Plymouth for ÂĢ200 more than the original asking price, and thus I trotted over to this students accommodation and paid for it in cash (also ended up with a few duplicate games in the process), meaning I still got one day one. I also managed to get the 360 Slim day one.
The last console that I walked into a store to get was the Gears of War 3 Collector's console, which I queued up until midnight to pick up. I was first in the queue, but second to be served because although I was first, I bought the console, a spare controller, the standard game, and the Collector's Edition of the game, whereas the person served first just had the game itself.
Life became easier thereafter with the rise of the internet, and I have been able to pre-order each subsequent console. With the Xbox One, I pre-ordered 3 of them for myself and my two son's, and with the Series X, I pre-ordered 2 of them one for myself and one for my youngest son. When the Xbox One X released, I was there day one with that one too.
I have also pre-ordered the Collector's 360 Console's for Halo and Modern Warfare for the 360, and also the Collector's Xbox One Console for Gears of War 4, and the Xbox One Project Scorpio console, all of which I still have, and most of which were barely used really.
To say I am a fan of Xbox would be an understatement, but every one my Xbox consoles has been well worth getting day one.
As for other consoles, I was there day one with the ZX Spectrum, and also the Philips CDi.
When it comes to the Sony consoles, I have bought every single base version of the PlayStation day one starting with the PS1 all the way through to the PS5. I have never bought the mid-generation refresh for PlayStation until the Pro that I bought recently, although that was obviously not day one...
Not for a show event establishment, @Shinato2024. There are only so many going around capable of hosting an event of this size, and you'd be shocked how far in advance they get booked up...
Truthfully, @fatpunkslim, with how long these things take to organise, I'd be shocked if this was not planned this time last year. Just booking a venue alone will have to be done so far in advance as to be frankly ridiculous. These huge venues often get booked up years in advance.
I agree that it is a good move to hold these events, but I imagine they have been long planned...
That's very recent, @FraserG. I was only on the Store earlier this week when I was attempting to locate the update for the Xbox App on my PC, and I clicked on the Games section by mistake. They did not look like that then...!
It's a great game which I played when it first came out. I then bought the remaster as well, and thoroughly enjoyed going through it again. Whether I want to part with cash in order to play a third version, I'm not so sure. The first remaster did not add a lot to the original game, and I have a feeling this will be a barebones upgrade this time too. Nowt more than a performance boost, which I don't think warrants me spending my money on it...
I've only played two of them, and neither of them were on Game Pass at the time.
I voted for Cyberpunk 2077 because it is a great game.
The other game that have played is Resident Evil 7 but all I can say about it is that it is my least favourites of the Resident Evil franchise. That's not to say it is a bad game, just that I did not enjoy it...
I think the Helix will come in at around ÂĢ1000 / $1300. It's going to be very expensive, and the vast majority of current Xbox gamers will very likely not upgrade their current consoles...
I cannot see the Helix selling more than 10 million lifetime sales, @Millionski (and I think that is absolutely going to be the top estimate). I think we are most likely looking at either 3 million in the first 2 years, or 2 million in the first 3, depending on exactly how much it costs. I don't even think it will come down to how capable the machine is, but just the price.
As for a second, lower priced console, I have said before that I think there is a strong argument for Xbox continuing to make the X to fulfil that role. The RND has already been undertaken for the console, the manufacturing requirements are still in place, and it is a very capable machine. There really no downsides to having that as the lower priced console.
I think though that Microsoft need to move on from the S. The last thing that Microsoft need is for the continued speculation that the S is holding their brand back, and even if untrue it has been a distraction for the brand. I think people will be more forgiving when it comes to the X versus the Helix when it comes to this issue because essentially the X is already pitted against the PC versions of games without everyone jumping up and down telling us that the X is holding back PC games.
I can see Microsoft wanting a cheaper less powerful alternative to the Helix simply because I think the Helix will be a product that the vast majority of gamers will not want to pay for. Gaming is already seen as a luxury activity by many, and the Helix is likely to prove to be an uber-premium priced product that many people will choose to skip entirely, particularly in light of the global cost of living crisis that we face right now...
There are a lot of decent looking games among that list. Wish that I had time to play them all. To some extent the sheer quantity of games coming out is what lies behind some of the gaming industry's woes; there are simply too many games for them all to be successful enough for the studios behind them to stay open. From a consumer perspective, all this choice is a fantastic thing, but from a studio point of view all this competition must be pretty frightening...
The price that Microsoft are seeking for either the top edition of the game, or even the top bundle to add to Game Pass, is frankly ridiculous. Basically, to add the bundle to Game Pass costs as much as a AAA release would cost day one. It's as if Microsoft saw how much they could charge with releases like Flight Simulator, and decided to take the same path with FH6. It comes off as greedy, and in the light of current economic conditions, totally tone deaf...
At some point you have to think that the industry will stabilise. We all know that the industry took on way more staff that was needed at the hight of the pandemic, and to a great extent this is still the industry readjusting. Many of the cancelled games of late are ones that began around the time of the lockdowns, or soon after, and you have to think that the momentum of these closures will slow as the industry reaches the point that they are of a sustainable size.
You just have to hope that those that have been affected by these closures find meaningful employment as soon as they want it, and that the impact in the meantime is as minimal on them as can be, though in the current climate, that seems to be wishful thinking.
I have to say that I would hate to be working in an industry that is in such upheaval. How can you possibly plan your life around a job which could be taken from you at any moment? It is honestly difficult to fathom how people can live like this...
I think you are missing the point of what he is saying, @BethesdaBoyz. He's not talking about Ultimate. He is talking about a brand new, really cheap tier. Arguably you would have very few games on there that are also releasing on Ultimate. Ultimate is only getting those games because it is expensive to have. If the service is really cheap, he believes that Microsoft would pay the developers poorly, leading to more studio closures...
I don't think he is saying that Game Pass should not be cheaper, @fatpunkslim, but that it is difficult to make a quality game that can sustain both Game Pass and the developers.
Microsoft won't want to pay the developers top dollar for the games that they put on the service, and the developers need a decent income in order to keep developing games.
I think his argument is that if you pay peanuts for games, the games are going to be poor quality, or the developers will simply shut up shop because they won't have earned enough money.
It is a very fine balance, because whilst some games that are made on very small budgets do succeed, it is questionable whether there are enough of them to fill a Game Pass tier, and if the games are not of sufficient quality, who is going to subscribe the the tier?
I don't think it is as simple as him saying that Game Pass should not be cheaper, but it does need to be remembered that for the service to be sustainable it has to be making money, and so if Microsoft reduce the price of Game Pass, they will automatically be making less money.
The problem is, they are only able to return to two of the four characters that made the initial trilogy great, @Jenkinss. Baird and Cole cannot be in it unless they have two entirely separate campaigns running because the foursome did not form until 14 years after E-Day.
They can still bring in some existing characters from the Gears Universe; Hoffman, Dizzy, Anya, Kim, Bernie, Barrack, Alicia, Clayton, Minh, Tai, Sam, and Prescot. I've probably missed a couple, but those could easily feature. I think it a pretty safe bet that there will by another Carmine in the game, but unless they kill him off, it is probably going to be Clayton, or Gary as an outside bet.
As complete outliers, they could include Gabe, Reyna, Sid or Mikayla from Gears Tactic. Or indeed even (Queen) Myrrah...!
I absolutely agree that it would make sense to have all these games as exclusives, @fatpunkslim, I just don't think they will do it though I'd love to be proven wrong in that regard.
The $1500 rumour has been spreading around a fair bit recently, mostly following the news of the PS5 Pro going above $1000 (once you buy both the disc-drive and the stand).
The rumours are not just stemming from the PlayStation crowd either, and the price does kind of make sense to some extent when you factor in the Helix being better still than the Pro.
Again though, I'd like the rumours to be wrong, but honestly think the sooner Microsoft put some meat on the Helix bones the better...
I stood in the queue at Game in 2011 at midnight to pick up my copy of Gears of War 3, plus I also bought the Collector's Edition of the game (the one with Marcus sitting on a rock), and a Gears of War 3 Limited Edition console, plus a spare Limited Edition controller, @Kezelpaso.
I then also bought a GoW3 blanket, a GoW canvas poster that is 6ft by 3ft (still need to find a frame for it though!), and I also bought 2 of the 1/1 life-sized locust busts. There were only 500 made and they cost ÂĢ500 each!
Like you I also bought the Gears of War 4 Limited Edition console, plus a spare controller, and also the Collector's Edition of the game.
To say I love me some Gears of War would be a understatement.
Have to admit that I would prefer that they had finished the second trilogy, but I am really looking forward to E-Day too, though the chances are it is going to make my bank account cry just a little.
I don't think there is any one game that will sell a lot of the Helix, @fatpunkslim. If the rumours are to be believed, the Helix could cost upwards of $1500, and so the only way they could have games shift the Helix in serious numbers is if pretty much everything is exclusive, and we both know they won't be doing that.
I think the more likely scenario would be the purchasing of a lot of second hand Series consoles, and then the game being played on Game Pass.
If you think about it, the likes of you and I will suddenly have a spare Series console once the Helix comes out, and for those that sell their consoles when they it does mean there will suddenly be a lot of second hand consoles available...
I have something like 5000 hours in the Gears of War franchise, with over 2000 hours in Gears 5 alone. It is a massive part of my life.
I'm hoping E-Day comes out this year, and that Microsoft release an Elite, and Standard, Collectors controller, because I will be buying both.
I also hope that they actually release the Collector's Edition of the game in the UK this time, because the one for Gears 5 I had to import from America, which is a nuisance...
Also, have you seen the announcement about Gears of War: E-Day at the Showcase on the 7th of June? It's come from the Gears of War team, and I guess they are revealing the date of the Showcase too, because I'm not sure that had been confirmed up until now...
I think it will just be Pragmata and Aphelion for me. Pragmata I will definitely be buying, though I will likely buy both of them, I just want to see some reviews regarding Aphelion first, but I really hope they drop prior to the games release.
I might give Barb... ... er, Hades 2 a go on Game Pass too.
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss and Mouse: PI For Hire might be worth keeping an eye on as well...
Comments 4,862
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (April 11-12)
This weekend, when playing solo, I will be continuing my current run of XCOM 2 on my Pro. I first played the game a couple of times on my PC when it first released, and then played it a couple of times on my Xbox when I bought it there. Now I'm playing it on my Pro. I told myself that I would not re-buy games that I already own, but when it is so cheap, and so good, it is difficult to stick to my plans. What I will say though is that the game has probably crashed on me at least once each day, and I have to say I don't recall it doing that when I played it on my Xbox (or my PC), although it has been a couple of years since I played it, and I don't have the best memory. Anyway, it's one of my favourite games of all time, and I am loving re-playing it now.
Lastly, tomorrow I will be playing a Master Horde run in Gears 5 with my youngest son and my mate. We will be attempting the Harbour map as a trio on the hardest mode, which is intended for a team of 5. We have so far managed to complete 18 of the 37 maps on Master as a trio, but we are struggling with this one. We have been trying for 4 or 5 weeks now, which I think is the longest any of the maps have taken us. We'll get there, but we need everything to go right, in particular the boss waves, which is where we are mostly failing because there is so little cover, and every boss is available to the map. It's fun, but very difficult...
Re: Xbox Boss Reveals New 'Dedicated Team' Focusing On Fan Feedback
I didn't know there was a weekly poll, @GuyinPA75. I'll have to take a look...
Re: Preview: We've Played Forza Horizon 6, And It's Potentially The Best Entry To Date
Ideal. Thank you, @Katiecooh. I like the idea of it, but I'm not sure my stomach can take it... ðĪĒ
Re: 'Graveyard Keeper' Is Available To Claim For Free On Xbox For A Limited Time
I mean, free is free, right? Thanks for the heads up, @Kezelpaso... ð
Re: 'What Do You Want Added?' - Xbox Engineer Requests Ideas For New Console Features
My biggest desire for Xbox is to have the ability to hide games that I either own, or have no desire to own, in the Xbox Store sales.
I buy a lot of games, and I mean a lot! I have over 1700 games in my digital library on my Series X. What this means is that when I view the sales I see many, many games that I already own, and if I could hide them, and also hide games that I will never, ever buy, then instead of perusing a thousand games, I would instead be looking at just a couple of hundred, and that number would go down each week as I hide even more games.
They also need to automatically hide inferior versions of games that I already own; so, if I buy the Deluxe version of a game, then not only should that game not be shown to me, but also the Standard version too, because whilst I do not own the Standard game, I wouldn't buy it because I already own the superior version.
Honestly, this would be such a simple Quality of Life thing to implement, and it annoys me that every time I have to look through the same games week in, week out, to the point that sometimes I don't even bother to look, particularly when there are several thousand on sale. That means Microsoft are missing out on a potential purchase from me because I cannot be bothered to look through reams and reams of games that I have no interest in...
Re: Xbox Boss Reveals New 'Dedicated Team' Focusing On Fan Feedback
Awesome! Thank you, @LordDieALot. I'll take a look. Just have to work out where to find it first... ð
Re: Xbox Boss Reveals New 'Dedicated Team' Focusing On Fan Feedback
Thank you, @LordDieALot. I've been on the Insider program for years and years now, but honestly, I don't recall ever actually engaging with it. I'll have to take a look and see what's what...
Re: Preview: We've Played Forza Horizon 6, And It's Potentially The Best Entry To Date
That's a good shout, @HonestHick. However, I didn't realise it was so expensive! Might have to wait for a decent sale, and then think about it... ðĪŠ
Re: Two Games Are Available Late This Week With Xbox Game Pass (April 9-10)
Ahh! Fair enough, @Vordus. You live and learn...
Re: Xbox Boss Reveals New 'Dedicated Team' Focusing On Fan Feedback
I'm not going to lie, that is a pretty lame way of doing this, @FraserG. Writing what you would like on Pure Xbox in the hope that maybe someone will see it is not ideal at all. There should be a dedicated place where people can impart their suggestions...
Re: Two Games Are Available Late This Week With Xbox Game Pass (April 9-10)
Difmark Digital Marketplace, @Vordus. It's a key code for Steam, although when you click on it it comes in at ÂĢ4.46 and not ÂĢ4.33...
Re: Xbox Boss Reveals New 'Dedicated Team' Focusing On Fan Feedback
Any idea where we are supposed to be telling them our ideas, @FraserG...?
Re: Xbox Boss Reveals New 'Dedicated Team' Focusing On Fan Feedback
I think it is a great start, and there is no doubt that Sharma's background in PR is shining brightly. She knows how to please a crowd, which is a real bonus in a boss...
Re: Two Games Are Available Late This Week With Xbox Game Pass (April 9-10)
50% increase in the price of Ultimate Game Pass, and the promise of 75 Day One games in a year, and we get Tiny Bookshop, a game you can get for ÂĢ4.33 on PC! Sorry, but that simply is not good enough. I'm sure the game will please a few, but I expect better than that for my money...
Re: Xbox Achievements Are Getting A 'Refresh' With Multiple New Improvements
I think there is a strong possibility that this was long planned to be part of the 25th anniversary celebrations, @ilyn. I honestly cannot see Sharma seeing this as a priority now that she is boss. She may have decided when it was revealed, but the likelihood is that it was ready to go for release at some point in 2026...
Re: Xbox Achievements Are Getting A 'Refresh' With Multiple New Improvements
Honestly, @Cakefish & @Coletrain, I'd be shocked if Sharma had much to do with any of the recent improvements. She is just at the helm when these things are being revealed, and is understandably being credited with them because she is in place when they are being seen. The most likely scenario here is that these improvements were always intended to be released during the course of 2026 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Xbox. It just so happens that the leadership has changed. All these small improvements (and they are genuinely improvements), will have taken time to sort out, and are highly unlikely to have been rushed out the door inside a month. Sharma was put in charge of Xbox because it has much bigger problems than the way its achievement system works!
I honestly like the fact that I think she is more PR savvy than Spencer was, and she knows how to make a splash. That is definitely something that Xbox needs, but just as with the Helix she cannot be credited with the creation of this device. It was conceived long before she even joined Microsoft! And so it is, I think, with the achievement overhaul. Conceived prior to her becoming boss, but only now being revealed...
Re: Rumour: Xbox To Release Halo: Campaign Evolved In July 2026, Early Access Included
I see out predictions as to when games release are very much in line, @somnambulance...!
Re: Rumour: Xbox To Release Halo: Campaign Evolved In July 2026, Early Access Included
If Halo does release in July, then this is Mystic Beaver striking once more! ð
These are my predictions that I made last year, for when games would be releasing this year:
May: Forza Horizon 6 - now confirmed, but I did say May before it was confirmed! ð
July: Halo Combat Remastered
August: Gears Of War: E-day. Day and date on the PlayStation too.
September: Fable Day and date on the PlayStation too, although I think it will be delayed into 2027
October: Call of Duty
November : GTA 6 if it is not delayed into 2027
November: Forza Horizon 6 on PlayStation.
So, if Halo does land in July, then I'll be 2 out of 2, so far, on getting my predictions right...! ð
Re: Xbox Achievements Are Getting A 'Refresh' With Multiple New Improvements
I'd be absolutely shocked if this is Sharma's doing, @TheGameThrifter. These improvements have probably been in the works for a few months.
It's likely to be 2 or 3 years before we really see Sharma's vision for Xbox. Until then, most of what happens, maybe everything that happens, will just be things she can take credit for without actually being the one that implemented it in the first place.
Xbox is like a huge tanker, set on a particular course, with it taking months or even years to change direction, and steering the ship in a different direction takes time to take effect...
Re: Preview: We've Played Forza Horizon 6, And It's Potentially The Best Entry To Date
Does PSVR2 give you motion sickness, @Katiecooh? I have been tempted to get it, but I can sometimes (rarely) get motion sickness playing standard games, and so the idea of forking out serious cash for a VR headset only to find it gives me motion sickness has stopped me buying one...
Re: These 19 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (April 7-23)
Hi, @Titntin. You've definitely sold it to me. I will be playing it soon, but as I am someone that is happy to put hundreds of hours into a game I am loving (think Fallout, Skyrim etc.) and have pretty unlimited patience, it sounds like I am in for a good time.
I'm not one for hoping between games. I like to finish what I am playing before moving on to the next game. That is why I decided to put off starting Crimson Desert until after I have finished both Pragmata and Saros. I am really looking forward to those two titles, and they are likely to be done and dusted pretty quickly in comparison to CD.
Your review has me really looking forward to it though...
Re: These 19 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (April 7-23)
I totally agree that would be the sensible thing to do, @ZeD. Unfortunately I a rarely sensible! I like to get the pre-order bonuses, always have done, so I prefer to get my games early and then play them when I can get round to them. But yes, I know that it is foolish. I am trying to be better at this, honestly, and am buying fewer games now than I used too. I'm still buying a lot, mind you, but I am trying my best to only buy games when I have a period when I know I will play them (doesn't always work out that way, but I am trying!)...
Re: Xbox Is Hosting Two Major Betas This Month, Starting This Week
That is exactly what my son said to me, @GeeEssEff; it gets better the longer it goes on. Also, we worked out when to start watching it so as to have watched them all right in time for the release of the last episode of Season 4... ð
Re: Xbox Is Hosting Two Major Betas This Month, Starting This Week
The game does not interest me, @Markatron84, as I am useless at fighting games, and don't play competitive games, but the series is certainly interesting and surprisingly violent. I bit like a cartoon version of the Boys...
Re: These 19 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (April 7-23)
How are you finding Crimson Desert, @Titntin? I pre-ordered it but have not yet started it (properly) as I didn't think I would finish it in time for the release of Pragmata (and then Saros), and I also wanted to see some updates first...
Re: These 19 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (April 7-23)
Premium is definitely better value in my eyes, @ZeD...
Re: These 19 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (April 7-23)
The only one that interests me from that list is Hades 2, and whereas I bought the first game (on PC) back when it first released, I'll be playing the second game on Game Pass because although I played the first game for a long time, I only reached the end once (and then promptly died!), and so I feel that I want to see how I get on with the sequel via Game Pass this time rather than splurging cash this time.
When I will have time to play it is another matter entirely...
Re: Xbox Is Hosting Two Major Betas This Month, Starting This Week
My youngest son has just talked me into watching the series, @GeeEssEff. We watch just one episode together each evening, and are on episode 3 of the first series tonight, so not very far into it. I keep teasing him that it is a cartoon, but am enjoying it... ð
Re: Talking Point: How Many Consoles Have You Bought At Launch, And Were They Worth It?
I was there day one for the OG Xbox having laid down a deposit of ÂĢ20 in Game (although part of me is now wondering whether it was not in fact Electronic Boutique, but my memory won't settle on an answer). I remember walking from my office in CID at Charles Cross Police Station here in Plymouth, and collecting it, and then leaving it in plain sight on my desk for my fellow Detectives to see.
I also put down a deposit for the day one release of the 360, and remember walking into Game (definitely, this time!), only to find out that they did not have a console for me, so I ended up leaving the store with an armful of games and a spare controller, but no console to use them with! Anyway, as it was intended as a birthday present for me, my (now deceased) wife told me to look on eBay for one, and I managed to find one for sale in Plymouth for ÂĢ200 more than the original asking price, and thus I trotted over to this students accommodation and paid for it in cash (also ended up with a few duplicate games in the process), meaning I still got one day one. I also managed to get the 360 Slim day one.
The last console that I walked into a store to get was the Gears of War 3 Collector's console, which I queued up until midnight to pick up. I was first in the queue, but second to be served because although I was first, I bought the console, a spare controller, the standard game, and the Collector's Edition of the game, whereas the person served first just had the game itself.
Life became easier thereafter with the rise of the internet, and I have been able to pre-order each subsequent console. With the Xbox One, I pre-ordered 3 of them for myself and my two son's, and with the Series X, I pre-ordered 2 of them one for myself and one for my youngest son. When the Xbox One X released, I was there day one with that one too.
I have also pre-ordered the Collector's 360 Console's for Halo and Modern Warfare for the 360, and also the Collector's Xbox One Console for Gears of War 4, and the Xbox One Project Scorpio console, all of which I still have, and most of which were barely used really.
To say I am a fan of Xbox would be an understatement, but every one my Xbox consoles has been well worth getting day one.
As for other consoles, I was there day one with the ZX Spectrum, and also the Philips CDi.
When it comes to the Sony consoles, I have bought every single base version of the PlayStation day one starting with the PS1 all the way through to the PS5. I have never bought the mid-generation refresh for PlayStation until the Pro that I bought recently, although that was obviously not day one...
Re: Xbox Announces Eight 'FanFest Tour' Events Taking Place Across The World In 2026
Not for a show event establishment, @Shinato2024. There are only so many going around capable of hosting an event of this size, and you'd be shocked how far in advance they get booked up...
Re: Xbox Announces Eight 'FanFest Tour' Events Taking Place Across The World In 2026
Truthfully, @fatpunkslim, with how long these things take to organise, I'd be shocked if this was not planned this time last year. Just booking a venue alone will have to be done so far in advance as to be frankly ridiculous. These huge venues often get booked up years in advance.
I agree that it is a good move to hold these events, but I imagine they have been long planned...
Re: Is It Us, Or Did Xbox Just Get A Major Makeover On The Microsoft Store For Windows?
That's very recent, @FraserG. I was only on the Store earlier this week when I was attempting to locate the update for the Xbox App on my PC, and I clicked on the Games section by mistake. They did not look like that then...!
Re: Ubisoft Teams With Xbox To Bring 'Heroes Of Might And Magic: Olden Era' To PC Game Pass
I've tried and I've tried, @Tomato_Goose, but cannot fathom what 'TBS' stands for:
TBS - Turn Based Souffle?
TBS - Total Bull-Sh... (poo!)? ð
TBS - Totally Brown Skidmark?
Nope cannot think what it stands for... ð
Re: Darksiders Warmastered Edition Is Getting Re-Released For Xbox Series X|S
It's a great game which I played when it first came out. I then bought the remaster as well, and thoroughly enjoyed going through it again. Whether I want to part with cash in order to play a third version, I'm not so sure. The first remaster did not add a lot to the original game, and I have a feeling this will be a barebones upgrade this time too. Nowt more than a performance boost, which I don't think warrants me spending my money on it...
Re: Pick One: What Was Your Favourite Xbox Game Pass Addition In March 2026?
I've only played two of them, and neither of them were on Game Pass at the time.
I voted for Cyberpunk 2077 because it is a great game.
The other game that have played is Resident Evil 7 but all I can say about it is that it is my least favourites of the Resident Evil franchise. That's not to say it is a bad game, just that I did not enjoy it...
Re: '$1000 Consoles Will Be The Norm' - Analysts Discuss Cost Of PS6 & Next-Gen Xbox
I think the Helix will come in at around ÂĢ1000 / $1300. It's going to be very expensive, and the vast majority of current Xbox gamers will very likely not upgrade their current consoles...
Re: Xbox Games Showcase Announced For June 2026, Featuring Gears Of War: E-Day Direct
I cannot see the Helix selling more than 10 million lifetime sales, @Millionski (and I think that is absolutely going to be the top estimate). I think we are most likely looking at either 3 million in the first 2 years, or 2 million in the first 3, depending on exactly how much it costs. I don't even think it will come down to how capable the machine is, but just the price.
As for a second, lower priced console, I have said before that I think there is a strong argument for Xbox continuing to make the X to fulfil that role. The RND has already been undertaken for the console, the manufacturing requirements are still in place, and it is a very capable machine. There really no downsides to having that as the lower priced console.
I think though that Microsoft need to move on from the S. The last thing that Microsoft need is for the continued speculation that the S is holding their brand back, and even if untrue it has been a distraction for the brand. I think people will be more forgiving when it comes to the X versus the Helix when it comes to this issue because essentially the X is already pitted against the PC versions of games without everyone jumping up and down telling us that the X is holding back PC games.
I can see Microsoft wanting a cheaper less powerful alternative to the Helix simply because I think the Helix will be a product that the vast majority of gamers will not want to pay for. Gaming is already seen as a luxury activity by many, and the Helix is likely to prove to be an uber-premium priced product that many people will choose to skip entirely, particularly in light of the global cost of living crisis that we face right now...
Re: 10 New Xbox Indie Games That Should Be On Your Radar In April 2026
There are a lot of decent looking games among that list. Wish that I had time to play them all. To some extent the sheer quantity of games coming out is what lies behind some of the gaming industry's woes; there are simply too many games for them all to be successful enough for the studios behind them to stay open. From a consumer perspective, all this choice is a fantastic thing, but from a studio point of view all this competition must be pretty frightening...
Re: Xbox Has Already Given Forza Horizon 6 Access To A Few Lucky People
The price that Microsoft are seeking for either the top edition of the game, or even the top bundle to add to Game Pass, is frankly ridiculous. Basically, to add the bundle to Game Pass costs as much as a AAA release would cost day one. It's as if Microsoft saw how much they could charge with releases like Flight Simulator, and decided to take the same path with FH6. It comes off as greedy, and in the light of current economic conditions, totally tone deaf...
Re: Fable, Grounded 2 Co-Developer Loses Studio Head Following Mass Layoffs
At some point you have to think that the industry will stabilise. We all know that the industry took on way more staff that was needed at the hight of the pandemic, and to a great extent this is still the industry readjusting. Many of the cancelled games of late are ones that began around the time of the lockdowns, or soon after, and you have to think that the momentum of these closures will slow as the industry reaches the point that they are of a sustainable size.
You just have to hope that those that have been affected by these closures find meaningful employment as soon as they want it, and that the impact in the meantime is as minimal on them as can be, though in the current climate, that seems to be wishful thinking.
I have to say that I would hate to be working in an industry that is in such upheaval. How can you possibly plan your life around a job which could be taken from you at any moment? It is honestly difficult to fathom how people can live like this...
Re: 'Race To The Bottom Pricing' Isn't Advisable For Xbox Game Pass, Suggests BG3 Director
I think you are missing the point of what he is saying, @BethesdaBoyz. He's not talking about Ultimate. He is talking about a brand new, really cheap tier. Arguably you would have very few games on there that are also releasing on Ultimate. Ultimate is only getting those games because it is expensive to have. If the service is really cheap, he believes that Microsoft would pay the developers poorly, leading to more studio closures...
Re: 'Race To The Bottom Pricing' Isn't Advisable For Xbox Game Pass, Suggests BG3 Director
I don't think he is saying that Game Pass should not be cheaper, @fatpunkslim, but that it is difficult to make a quality game that can sustain both Game Pass and the developers.
Microsoft won't want to pay the developers top dollar for the games that they put on the service, and the developers need a decent income in order to keep developing games.
I think his argument is that if you pay peanuts for games, the games are going to be poor quality, or the developers will simply shut up shop because they won't have earned enough money.
It is a very fine balance, because whilst some games that are made on very small budgets do succeed, it is questionable whether there are enough of them to fill a Game Pass tier, and if the games are not of sufficient quality, who is going to subscribe the the tier?
I don't think it is as simple as him saying that Game Pass should not be cheaper, but it does need to be remembered that for the service to be sustainable it has to be making money, and so if Microsoft reduce the price of Game Pass, they will automatically be making less money.
There really is no easy solution here...
Re: Xbox Games Showcase Announced For June 2026, Featuring Gears Of War: E-Day Direct
The problem is, they are only able to return to two of the four characters that made the initial trilogy great, @Jenkinss. Baird and Cole cannot be in it unless they have two entirely separate campaigns running because the foursome did not form until 14 years after E-Day.
They can still bring in some existing characters from the Gears Universe; Hoffman, Dizzy, Anya, Kim, Bernie, Barrack, Alicia, Clayton, Minh, Tai, Sam, and Prescot. I've probably missed a couple, but those could easily feature. I think it a pretty safe bet that there will by another Carmine in the game, but unless they kill him off, it is probably going to be Clayton, or Gary as an outside bet.
As complete outliers, they could include Gabe, Reyna, Sid or Mikayla from Gears Tactic. Or indeed even (Queen) Myrrah...!
Re: Xbox Games Showcase Announced For June 2026, Featuring Gears Of War: E-Day Direct
I absolutely agree that it would make sense to have all these games as exclusives, @fatpunkslim, I just don't think they will do it though I'd love to be proven wrong in that regard.
The $1500 rumour has been spreading around a fair bit recently, mostly following the news of the PS5 Pro going above $1000 (once you buy both the disc-drive and the stand).
The rumours are not just stemming from the PlayStation crowd either, and the price does kind of make sense to some extent when you factor in the Helix being better still than the Pro.
Again though, I'd like the rumours to be wrong, but honestly think the sooner Microsoft put some meat on the Helix bones the better...
Re: Xbox Games Showcase Announced For June 2026, Featuring Gears Of War: E-Day Direct
I stood in the queue at Game in 2011 at midnight to pick up my copy of Gears of War 3, plus I also bought the Collector's Edition of the game (the one with Marcus sitting on a rock), and a Gears of War 3 Limited Edition console, plus a spare Limited Edition controller, @Kezelpaso.
I then also bought a GoW3 blanket, a GoW canvas poster that is 6ft by 3ft (still need to find a frame for it though!), and I also bought 2 of the 1/1 life-sized locust busts. There were only 500 made and they cost ÂĢ500 each!
Like you I also bought the Gears of War 4 Limited Edition console, plus a spare controller, and also the Collector's Edition of the game.
To say I love me some Gears of War would be a understatement.
Have to admit that I would prefer that they had finished the second trilogy, but I am really looking forward to E-Day too, though the chances are it is going to make my bank account cry just a little.
Funny enough I also bought a Project Scorpio too.
Re: All New Games Coming To Xbox In April 2026
Ahh! Apologies, @FraserG. It popped up on the Gears of War Facebook page, and I got excited... ð
Re: Xbox Games Showcase Announced For June 2026, Featuring Gears Of War: E-Day Direct
I don't think there is any one game that will sell a lot of the Helix, @fatpunkslim. If the rumours are to be believed, the Helix could cost upwards of $1500, and so the only way they could have games shift the Helix in serious numbers is if pretty much everything is exclusive, and we both know they won't be doing that.
I think the more likely scenario would be the purchasing of a lot of second hand Series consoles, and then the game being played on Game Pass.
If you think about it, the likes of you and I will suddenly have a spare Series console once the Helix comes out, and for those that sell their consoles when they it does mean there will suddenly be a lot of second hand consoles available...
Re: Xbox Games Showcase Announced For June 2026, Featuring Gears Of War: E-Day Direct
I have something like 5000 hours in the Gears of War franchise, with over 2000 hours in Gears 5 alone. It is a massive part of my life.
I'm hoping E-Day comes out this year, and that Microsoft release an Elite, and Standard, Collectors controller, because I will be buying both.
I also hope that they actually release the Collector's Edition of the game in the UK this time, because the one for Gears 5 I had to import from America, which is a nuisance...
Re: All New Games Coming To Xbox In April 2026
Only if it is a rogue-like, @FraserG... ð
Also, have you seen the announcement about Gears of War: E-Day at the Showcase on the 7th of June? It's come from the Gears of War team, and I guess they are revealing the date of the Showcase too, because I'm not sure that had been confirmed up until now...
Re: All New Games Coming To Xbox In April 2026
I think it will just be Pragmata and Aphelion for me. Pragmata I will definitely be buying, though I will likely buy both of them, I just want to see some reviews regarding Aphelion first, but I really hope they drop prior to the games release.
I might give Barb... ... er, Hades 2 a go on Game Pass too.
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss and Mouse: PI For Hire might be worth keeping an eye on as well...