@Banjo- I’m going to give this another bash as I felt I was skipping through dialogue rather than listening and then just fast loading place to place.
Cut to the start of this year where I’ve been told I could do with glasses, and have now purchased them, suddenly I realise the problem might have been that I couldn’t read the text and what was going on (and with no patience to get through listening).
@Gemini53 I remember as a kid I would love it if I could cause enough carnage in a game to drop the frame rate to a crawl. There was always something ‘epic’ feeling about it. We’re talking early 90’s here.
@Gemini53 I’m with you, that and the entire ‘less than 60fps is unplayable’ crowd. I like my reviews on the gameplay, I’m not too fussed on the tech specs.
4TB external drive. If I want to play a series X game that’s on it, I start it transferring, go and make a drink and before I know it it’s copied over.
Amazing how much money some patience will save you.
My path was: Amiga, MegaDrive, GameGear, SNES, N64, GBC, Dreamcast, Xbox, GameCube, GBA, 360, Wii, DS, 3DS, XboxOne, WiiU, Switch, Series X & PS5*, Switch 2
*Bought both on the same day during COVID. Got wrapped up in trying to ‘win’ at Amazon basket. Before I knew it I’d bought both. Sort of like an out of body experience.
@LordDieALot I got mine from Electronics Boutique, preordered. Back in the time that my Dad used to somewhat have his hand in the gaming news sphere (I remember him first showing me Shenmue).
@themightyant I really enjoyed Rebirth. It felt like a playable road movie. Got a bit new-environment-similar-tasks towards the end but I was off work at the time so I smashed through it. A gentler pace may be more advised.
I think the thing I miss the most is it not feeling like an arduous slog like it is now. With modern games once you're past the initial idea of the game I get to thinking 'what have they cut out to sell to me later?', 'how is the company trying to pull a fast one with this games?', 'whats the depth of the corporate claws in this game?'
Gaming felt fun and exciting. Good graphics without it having to be hyper realistic and this being reflected in the cost / dev time. Fallout 3 and New Vegas do not look like pretty games but the graphics are absolutely fine for a game.
RDR is outshined graphically by RDR2, but if they came out with RDR3 and said 'we're going to make it look like the 360 game' I'd be ok with that.
Now with most releases it feels like 'here's this great game... BUT:'
Plus I was in my early twenties back then. I hadn't been ground down by coalition / Tory Governments, Brexit, Covid, cost-of-greed crisis, Russia etc.
@Lrapsody Not one game does it feel forced. I genuinely can’t say I’ve noticed other than games were the core character focus is their grappling with those changes eg Tell Me Why. And I enjoyed that. I enjoy learning about the perspectives of others.
Not got a problem with FF7’s save the planet from our own destructive tendencies ideology? Hell even FF9 has a main character who lives a lie about who they are inside. Maybe it’s a particular ideology? What’s your issue? Race? Gender? Sexuality? Upset that not all characters are as close minded as you?
It’s not a big deal. Let people be who they want to be, and let games - like films - be a barometer of society. Which at this point includes shouting about the trans message because toads like you have a vendetta about people being who they want to be.
As I’ve said on NL, wonderful news that it’s a free upgrade. Especially since I’m not giving Rockstar a penny until the union busting allegations have been found to be untrue (or never if the opposite).
@OldGamer999 I’m not particularly interested in my new games pushing the graphic envelope, and I quite like my current games just playing / loading better / faster.
But I would like some new games and not just re-release after re-release which is how it feels (even if not strictly true).
I’m curious about these prequel missions. Didn’t Reach end with MC being loaded - in stasis - on to the Pillar of Autumn, then they jumped into hyperspace and the we have the start of Halo 1?
Unless they’re going further back than Reach and / or you’ll play as other people.
@Krzzystuff Ha, I thought the exact same when I saw the article on BBC News. I prefer their journalism (for the most part) to others, but they aren't half slow with a lot of things. You know a company has made a mistake when it gets BBC time.
@Timppis "frankly in my view childish and idiotic." | "It's just stupid in my opinion"
A teacher, so willing to throw around the word 'stupid' as it relates to someone's opinions? Great.
As a society we have allowed gaming to become weaved into the fabric of existence and companies know this and are trying to squeeze people in the same way every other company - energy, groceries, healthcare etc. They are all at it. To tell one of them this is ok, is to let them all get away with it. The classic American line 'the market will decide', the markets run by the companies.
There can be a hard limit, the tired trope of 'games haven't risen with inflation' is just that: tired. Do you feel better when you are told "Oh, we know these groceries are expensive, but technically they're cheaper than they were 10 years ago, even though your wallet doesn't feel that way and your pay hasn't kept up."
If games are too expensive to make, then stop making the same photo-realistic swill that we put up with now. Go back to smaller, more focused games, where graphics aren't the be-all and end-all and bring the cost down that way.
And the problem with games being £70 is that you absolutely will see people not buying them. We have not had the first nor second Christmas period since these price hikes. You have the die-hards buying games at the moment. The Christmas season is where you get parents looking at the cost and thinking 'no, this is too much'. Companies lose money, staff lose jobs, all because the post covid shareholders want that covid-era growth and priced games too high.
Silksong, for example. Shovelknight for another.
And I don't for a second believe that you're a green politician, and if that is the case, I suspect you've picked the wrong party.
I’ve been thinking about this (because apparently I don’t have enough to think about ).
I’ll preface this with I’m only going on little tidbits I’ve read here and there; I have done zero actual research.
Doesn’t the Microsoft CEO really dislike like the gaming division and wants to get rid of it if he could? They’ve been - seemingly - moving to a third party model.
The Saudis et al have just made a move to purchase EA for a lot of money. Could this be a plan to make it look super profitable (or super profitable-looking) in order to entice Saudi money to come and buy the gaming division?
@Timppis economics beginner? Or read something on Reddit you can parrot around? Stand together never on the side of big business. Inflation blah blah blah. Pay packets have not kept in line with inflation, so £70 is not £70 to the average wallet.
@Alex79uk I too am surprised but heartened. I’m glad to see people waking up. Now, if we can just get them to get Nintendo and £70 games off their altar…
Comments 82
Re: Playground Games Says Ditching Xbox One Will Help Forza Horizon 6's Post-Launch Plans
Almost 6 years post launch of their current console I would hope they’re dropping the previous model!
Re: Starfield Gets Major Free Update & New Expansion Next Month, Alongside PS5 Release
@Banjo- I’m going to give this another bash as I felt I was skipping through dialogue rather than listening and then just fast loading place to place.
Cut to the start of this year where I’ve been told I could do with glasses, and have now purchased them, suddenly I realise the problem might have been that I couldn’t read the text and what was going on (and with no patience to get through listening).
Re: Microsoft CEO On Xbox's Future: 'We'll Always Invest In Gaming'
Look at that smile. Like an alien wearing a suit.
Re: Talking Point: What Are Your First Impressions Of Resident Evil Requiem On Xbox Series X|S?
@Gemini53 I remember as a kid I would love it if I could cause enough carnage in a game to drop the frame rate to a crawl. There was always something ‘epic’ feeling about it. We’re talking early 90’s here.
Re: Talking Point: What Are Your First Impressions Of Resident Evil Requiem On Xbox Series X|S?
@Gemini53 I’m with you, that and the entire ‘less than 60fps is unplayable’ crowd. I like my reviews on the gameplay, I’m not too fussed on the tech specs.
Re: Talking Point: What Are Your First Impressions Of Resident Evil Requiem On Xbox Series X|S?
@GamingGod Christ don’t you bang on.
Re: 20+ Xbox Games Are Reduced By 90-95% To Kick Off The New Month
Saints Row 3 is arguably the best? Definitely arguably, because we’re about to have an argument. 😂
Another vote for 2 here.
Re: 'No Tolerance For Bad AI' - New Xbox Boss Says Games Need 'Great Stories Created By Humans'
No tolerance for AI. Period.
Re: Xbox President Sarah Bond Is Also Leaving The Company, Microsoft Confirms
A shame that Satya isn’t going.
Re: Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition Is Real, And It's Basically A Shadow Drop
To add: if nothing else, that trailer is put together so well. Such a good sense of fun and whimsy without being blink-and-you-miss-it.
Re: Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition Is Real, And It's Basically A Shadow Drop
@Hawklord77 whenever they release a Flashback remaster, I always hope for the Amiga soundtrack and it never comes.
Re: Xbox Signs Out Multiple Players At Once, Seemingly Related To Age Verification Issues
This is the first time I’ve been happy with this.
“Do this if you want the social features”
“I don’t want those”
“Oh… carry on”
Re: In The US, 66% Of Xbox Series X|S Sales Were Digital-Only In 2025
No drive, no sale.
Admittedly, mine is because I want to play the games of yesteryear with their backwards compatibility.
Re: Xbox Developer Direct 2026: Event Date, Start Times & What To Expect From The Showcase
@Sol4ris I miss Molyneux. I somewhat perversely enjoyed being promised the earth and then receiving the gut punch of reality.
Re: Talking Point: Xbox Series X|S Owners, How's Your Storage Looking In 2026?
@PushButtons it’ll be fine. Something to be aware of sure, but no drive has failed me yet.
Re: Talking Point: Xbox Series X|S Owners, How's Your Storage Looking In 2026?
4TB external drive. If I want to play a series X game that’s on it, I start it transferring, go and make a drink and before I know it it’s copied over.
Amazing how much money some patience will save you.
Re: These Are The 10 Highest-Rated Original Xbox Games Of All Time, But Do You Agree?
Commenting before I read: if Blinx isn’t on here we’re going to fall out.
Edit: ok time to fall out with someone. I enjoyed 1-3, and 7-9, but no Blinx? Boooo.
Or ToeJam & Earl 3 🤯
Re: Phil Spencer Reveals 'Xbox 25' Logo And Shares Video Message Ahead Of Developer Direct
@LordDieALot Ha, Dreamcast here too.
My path was: Amiga, MegaDrive, GameGear, SNES, N64, GBC, Dreamcast, Xbox, GameCube, GBA, 360, Wii, DS, 3DS, XboxOne, WiiU, Switch, Series X & PS5*, Switch 2
*Bought both on the same day during COVID. Got wrapped up in trying to ‘win’ at Amazon basket. Before I knew it I’d bought both. Sort of like an out of body experience.
Re: Phil Spencer Reveals 'Xbox 25' Logo And Shares Video Message Ahead Of Developer Direct
Not too keen on the logo, but I suppose we are entering the era of Liquid Glass and it's copies / homages.
Re: Phil Spencer Reveals 'Xbox 25' Logo And Shares Video Message Ahead Of Developer Direct
@LordDieALot I got mine from Electronics Boutique, preordered. Back in the time that my Dad used to somewhat have his hand in the gaming news sphere (I remember him first showing me Shenmue).
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (December 20-21)
Sadly nothing. I have a kitchen to finish in 4 days, 3 if you count today. But soon. Soon I’ll have a long stretch of nothing to do!
Re: Square Enix Drops Free Final Fantasy 7 Remake Demo On Xbox Series X|S
@themightyant I really enjoyed Rebirth. It felt like a playable road movie. Got a bit new-environment-similar-tasks towards the end but I was off work at the time so I smashed through it. A gentler pace may be more advised.
Re: Xbox Exec Teases 'Exciting' Plans For 2026 When Asked About OG Xbox Titles & Game Pass
2026 is the 20th anniversary of Xbox? What was that big black and green box in my bedroom in 2001?
Re: Xbox 1TB Expansion Card Drops To Below $100 In Pre-Black Friday Deal
I bought a 4TB USB drive for the one. I’m happy using that and having the patience to transfer games if they won’t boot from that drive.
Re: Seven Things We Miss About The Xbox 360 Era In 2025
I think the thing I miss the most is it not feeling like an arduous slog like it is now. With modern games once you're past the initial idea of the game I get to thinking 'what have they cut out to sell to me later?', 'how is the company trying to pull a fast one with this games?', 'whats the depth of the corporate claws in this game?'
Gaming felt fun and exciting. Good graphics without it having to be hyper realistic and this being reflected in the cost / dev time. Fallout 3 and New Vegas do not look like pretty games but the graphics are absolutely fine for a game.
RDR is outshined graphically by RDR2, but if they came out with RDR3 and said 'we're going to make it look like the 360 game' I'd be ok with that.
Now with most releases it feels like 'here's this great game... BUT:'
Plus I was in my early twenties back then. I hadn't been ground down by coalition / Tory Governments, Brexit, Covid, cost-of-greed crisis, Russia etc.
Re: Talking Point: Xbox Is 24 Years Old Today, What Do You Expect From Next Year's 25th Birthday?
Thinking about it some more, I want Blinx 3.
Re: Talking Point: Xbox Is 24 Years Old Today, What Do You Expect From Next Year's 25th Birthday?
Was this the same in the UK? I remember getting mine on launch day with Halo and Munch’s Odyssey. But in my head that was February, not November.
Or I’m misremembering and I didn’t get it on launch day. Remember getting it from Electronics Boutique in Derby though.
Got my GBA there too. That store got a lot of my money.
Re: Red Dead Redemption To Receive Free Xbox Series X|S Upgrade This December
@TheOldHunter4K even today that first time you hit the ridge before descending to McFarlane Ranch. I could look at that for hours.
Re: Red Dead Redemption To Receive Free Xbox Series X|S Upgrade This December
@GamingGod Sorry I think I’m a bit out of the loop. What’s the complaint about backwards compatibility?
Re: Square Enix Is Cutting Down Its Western Workforce, Focusing On Japanese Development
Removed
Re: Square Enix Is Cutting Down Its Western Workforce, Focusing On Japanese Development
@Lrapsody Not one game does it feel forced. I genuinely can’t say I’ve noticed other than games were the core character focus is their grappling with those changes eg Tell Me Why. And I enjoyed that. I enjoy learning about the perspectives of others.
Not got a problem with FF7’s save the planet from our own destructive tendencies ideology? Hell even FF9 has a main character who lives a lie about who they are inside. Maybe it’s a particular ideology? What’s your issue? Race? Gender? Sexuality? Upset that not all characters are as close minded as you?
It’s not a big deal. Let people be who they want to be, and let games - like films - be a barometer of society. Which at this point includes shouting about the trans message because toads like you have a vendetta about people being who they want to be.
As we float on a giant rock in a massive galaxy.
Re: Red Dead Redemption To Receive Free Xbox Series X|S Upgrade This December
As I’ve said on NL, wonderful news that it’s a free upgrade. Especially since I’m not giving Rockstar a penny until the union busting allegations have been found to be untrue (or never if the opposite).
@OldGamer999 I’m not particularly interested in my new games pushing the graphic envelope, and I quite like my current games just playing / loading better / faster.
But I would like some new games and not just re-release after re-release which is how it feels (even if not strictly true).
Re: Roundup: All The Reveals From October 2025's Xbox Indie Showcase
@TheMule1983 I hope this is satire.
Re: Roundup: All The Reveals From October 2025's Xbox Indie Showcase
@Elbow No I’m concerned that anyone made this outside of satire. The U.S. Government making this was my worst fear that I knew was real when I saw it.
But I didn’t want to believe.
Re: Roundup: All The Reveals From October 2025's Xbox Indie Showcase
@lacerz Christ I hope this isn’t real.
Re: Xbox Details All Of The New Content Packed Into Its Halo: Campaign Evolved Remake
I’m curious about these prequel missions. Didn’t Reach end with MC being loaded - in stasis - on to the Pillar of Autumn, then they jumped into hyperspace and the we have the start of Halo 1?
Unless they’re going further back than Reach and / or you’ll play as other people.
Re: Halo: Campaign Evolved Officially Announced, Coming To Xbox In 2026
Not a new game then? A remake of a remake.
Re: Bethesda's Todd Howard Teases Future Projects At Fallout Day 2025
I do not believe him.
Re: Xbox & Bethesda Announce Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition For Next Month
10 years to make a new one and they haven’t. Shame.
And that trailer massively oversells the story and your impact on it.
Re: Pick One: Which Is Your Favourite Double Fine Game On Xbox?
Grim Fandango all day.
Re: Fable's Peter Molyneux Describes Xbox Boss As 'One Of The Best People I've Worked With'
Well, there’s the kiss of death.
Re: 'Price Increases Are Never Fun For Anybody' Says Xbox Exec Defending Game Pass Changes
@Krzzystuff Ha, I thought the exact same when I saw the article on BBC News. I prefer their journalism (for the most part) to others, but they aren't half slow with a lot of things. You know a company has made a mistake when it gets BBC time.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Getting A Major Overhaul With New Names, Games & Price Changes
@electrolite77 the point is we shouldn’t be buying the games at this price. Do I need to talk slower or louder?
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Getting A Major Overhaul With New Names, Games & Price Changes
@Timppis "frankly in my view childish and idiotic." | "It's just stupid in my opinion"
A teacher, so willing to throw around the word 'stupid' as it relates to someone's opinions? Great.
As a society we have allowed gaming to become weaved into the fabric of existence and companies know this and are trying to squeeze people in the same way every other company - energy, groceries, healthcare etc. They are all at it. To tell one of them this is ok, is to let them all get away with it. The classic American line 'the market will decide', the markets run by the companies.
There can be a hard limit, the tired trope of 'games haven't risen with inflation' is just that: tired. Do you feel better when you are told "Oh, we know these groceries are expensive, but technically they're cheaper than they were 10 years ago, even though your wallet doesn't feel that way and your pay hasn't kept up."
If games are too expensive to make, then stop making the same photo-realistic swill that we put up with now. Go back to smaller, more focused games, where graphics aren't the be-all and end-all and bring the cost down that way.
And the problem with games being £70 is that you absolutely will see people not buying them. We have not had the first nor second Christmas period since these price hikes. You have the die-hards buying games at the moment. The Christmas season is where you get parents looking at the cost and thinking 'no, this is too much'. Companies lose money, staff lose jobs, all because the post covid shareholders want that covid-era growth and priced games too high.
Silksong, for example. Shovelknight for another.
And I don't for a second believe that you're a green politician, and if that is the case, I suspect you've picked the wrong party.
Re: Poll: What Are Your Plans For Xbox Game Pass After This Week's News?
Not cancelling, just not renewing.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Getting A Major Overhaul With New Names, Games & Price Changes
I’ve been thinking about this (because apparently I don’t have enough to think about ).
I’ll preface this with I’m only going on little tidbits I’ve read here and there; I have done zero actual research.
Doesn’t the Microsoft CEO really dislike like the gaming division and wants to get rid of it if he could? They’ve been - seemingly - moving to a third party model.
The Saudis et al have just made a move to purchase EA for a lot of money. Could this be a plan to make it look super profitable (or super profitable-looking) in order to entice Saudi money to come and buy the gaming division?
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Getting A Major Overhaul With New Names, Games & Price Changes
@Timppis economics beginner? Or read something on Reddit you can parrot around? Stand together never on the side of big business. Inflation blah blah blah. Pay packets have not kept in line with inflation, so £70 is not £70 to the average wallet.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Getting A Major Overhaul With New Names, Games & Price Changes
@Timppis The world we are in now, I can't tell whether this is parody or you're a shareholder.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Getting A Major Overhaul With New Names, Games & Price Changes
@Alex79uk I too am surprised but heartened. I’m glad to see people waking up. Now, if we can just get them to get Nintendo and £70 games off their altar…
Re: Xbox Game Pass Premium May Be The Best-Value Tier Right Now, With Almost 50 Games Added
Article has the same energy as '£60 for 15-20 year old games is good value' over on NL.
Didn't wash there. Doesn't wash here.