Kaloudz

@Jaxx420 Totally agree. It didn't help that NT included a scene in which Dante has a white wig land on his head, to which he says "not a chance" lol... That didn't go down too well either. But yeah, I think it was down to the fanbase wanting more OG Dante like you said.

The game itself I thought was really well done. I'd love for NT to try their hand at another hack and slash, via a new IP. I'm not sure Capcom would ever outsource to other devs again (DmC, Operation Raccoon City) now that they have found massive success.

Hence the 180, with Asha taking the helm. If anything smacked Satya, it was the loss of millions of subs. Personally, I think Asha is doing a solid job since taking over from Spencer - and props to them for admitting they need a reset.

@Skinny-Pete Exactly. It's becoming a running joke at the minute isn't it? Lol. They literally cannot win when it comes to a certain type of crowd. Damned if they do and damned if they don't.

The same crowd that moaned about multiplatform, are the same crowd moaning about a freakin' logo, on a game that is now exclusive to the console. Make sense of that...

People sit on the internet demanding MS owns up to an error / mistake (that may or may not be the case) as if it's going to inherit them some honour. Does it really matter, I mean does it really really matter whether or not it was a last minute pull or not? The fact is that we now know it's exclusive. Are we really going to shed tears and cradle one another because it may or may not have been a multiplatform game up until recently?...

I just don't get it lol. If it was a mistake, fine. If it wasn't a mistake, fine. The end result is the same no matter what. What on earth is with the outcry. You cant make this crap up lol...

Said it for a while, but I hope Ninja Theory move back to hack and slash. The market for hack and slash is wide open, and I personally thought their take on DmC was really good.

I mean, is this, in 2026, what we have come to? It's a platform logo. Whether or not it was a mistake, and whether or not it was pulled at last minute is besides the point.

People complain about lack of clarity, Microsoft gives them clarity by announcing exclusivity, and now the same people are moaning because they don't like the lack of clarity behind the clarity?...

Why not ask for a permanent seat at the board whilst you're at it? C'mon, this isn't that deep. Gamers know that the game is console exclusive to Xbox. That's it. End of story. Accept it and move on.

@Fiendish-Beaver Can positive vibes not just be positive vibes? Any entertainment media is run on good PR. That's not a spin, that is how it has always worked.

The energy in that room! Big respect to Asha!

Amazing showcase with heaps of variety, most of which looks incredible. Best show so far imo.

Outstanding showcase if you ask me. You know when Xbox nails it, because the trolls come out of hiding lol. Strongest show so far imo.

@FraserG I am very surprised no one has put forward a "moderate user reviews / review bombing" or "show playtime for profiles leaving feedback on games" or "prevent reviews with less than 90 minutes of playtime" for the Xbox store, to weed out the daft reviews.

@Skinny-Pete Totally agree. 110%. I said a while back that Asha is Microsoft's way of doing a 180, and nothing covers up a 180 better than a change of leadership - like when Phil took over from Don(key). If they listen to feedback, and give fans what they want, they can only go uphill.

@Skinny-Pete Right back at you my friend. Really appreciate your kindness. That is a gift society (especially online) lacks these days. Never change brother ❤️

I think Xbox 1P should be exclusive (save Forza) and anything ABK / Zenimax should be multiplatform. Just my thoughts. You get the best of both worlds then. I also think Asha needs to encourage her studios to try looking more at the market.

Team Ninja on a new hack and slash or slap them on a revisit to Lost Oddysey or Blue Dragon. Get another team on a new Crash / Spyro / Banjo game. Get another team making a new action IP (like Sony did with Ghost of).

The sooner they look at the demand the sooner they start making solid changes.

She's doing well. Totally respect her openly admitting that a reset is needed and she seems to have a very robust and very solid head on her shoulders. I am keen to see how she operates at the game show in a few days. Like I said elsewhere, this is as much her time as it is XBOX's time.

@ILIKECARGAME I have zero issue with LGBTQ+, or anyone that it represents. Zero. That said, it's absolutely fine to not have an issue with something, and not be interested in it whatsoever. I have zero issue with professional sports, but I have zero interest in it too - which is why I don't watch it.

I get the point you were trying to make, but not having an issue with something, at the same time as not being interested with that same thing, does not equate to being a bigot. That to the side, my issue with the game is outlined above. I've no interest whatsoever in the whole Telltale-esque formula. It's just not for me.

@Skinny-Pete Thanks my man. I appreciate you saying as much, and big <3 to you buddy. I think you're a stand up guy too. That's exactly it, it's just not for me - for more than just one reason.

@ILIKECARGAME Not sure why not liking this game would be classed as bigotry? Care to elaborate? lol...

My reasoning is ( @AccessibleDaydream ) I don't like Dont Nod's games, nor do I like the theme or premise of this game, nor do I like the look of the gameplay.

@Fiendish-Beaver And so it begins Beaver!!!

Cracks fingers

Asha, as far as I see it, has been installed as new leader because the higher ups know that the brand needs a 180. Most of their plans have hit a dead-end and brand-loyalty was tailing off. I think Asha is here to turn things around, and (as I said a while back) nothing covers up a 180 better than removing a leader and putting in a new one (much like Phil taking over from Don).

She may not have put anything in place yet, but I can see the signs. She's clearly taking on board a heap of feedback and actioning it. I think we will see more of this at the showcase, which as I said above, is as much her showcase as XBOX's.

Now... come at me bro.

It looks "okay" but I would hardly say it will compete with the likes of Forza in terms of scope and visuals. I've been saying for a long time now though, Forza needs a new spin-off.

With Motorsport dead in the water, and with Horizon being a sure-fire hit franchise, it's time they made a new branch in the IP. Something akin to Need for Speed of years gone by.

Personally, I'm quite excited to see how Asha performs. She's gone down very well with the userbase so far and has shown how much she's willing to 180 on several fronts. This is as much her moment as it is XBOX's moment.

@Fishmasterflex96 Not totally no. Close to, though lol.

Good call. I also think this is Asha's time to get up and really make an impact. It's going to be her first real address to the fans, so I expect she will use the space wisely and (given her track record so far) energetically. I am intrigued to hear what she has to say and I do think there will be some surprise announcements. She's been doing a lot of fam Q&A lately and feedback gathering. This showcase will be the platform to address that.

Yeah it's only being delayed by a couple of months, it's not that deep. I'd rather the game gets the shine it deserves, and anything releasing anywhere near GTA is bound to succeed much less than if it didn't.

@Fishmasterflex96 I think it absolutely did some damage, and given that BO7 (much like MW3) tanked because it was more an expansion than a full on game, that it's led MS to ensure that these filler releases do not happen again.

@ILuvGames That's a good point. In fact that would make a lot of sense. It's also a neat way for the devs to showcase what they're capable of.

Great CoD reveal. Not sure North Korea will appreciate it, as per, but that is one solid trailer. I'm intrigued. The Ghost vs Price is clearly there for sales, but it'll be interesting to see where the MW IP goes now that it's free from the shackles of the OG retelling.

@Fishmasterflex96 I think most of that has something to do with the fact that it was a half-baked instalment. The filler instalments never tend to fare well. Full on "years in development" games in the series often do well.

Watching alone myself. I personally Asha will use this space to really show us what she has planned, or at least, show us that she isn't afraid to kick the sand. This is her moment as much as it is Xbox's moment, and given how well she has done so far, I think we will be in for a treat.

@Fiendish-Beaver Personally, I think that really is the only reason to justify an expansion for a game over a decade old. Either way, we can safely say 4 will take place after expansion #3.

Very excited for this. The studio did say this game was make or break for them, so I really hope it does well. Oddly, there's not been a big buzz surrounding this game, which is strange given Shovel Knight's success.

@Fiendish-Beaver Ah man I am so sorry to hear that. Sorry for my late reply. I hope all is well and hope that you heal in time :/

I hope they start with a complete dashboard overhaul. I don't mind the dash, but it's looking a bit dated these days (and has been for a while). If they can come out the gates with a brand new design, I'd be happy. More store options, more customisation, etc...

@themightyant @Fiendish-Beaver I am not too bad my men, what about you?

Yeah I mean you're probably both right, but it seems odd for her to mention affordability. I mean, would XSX be compatible with their Helix vision if it is PC/Xbox hybrid? I just get the sense that we will see either a more affordable single console, or two variants. (Hopefully if that's true, both versions have optional disc drive).

@Millionski I kinda thing Asha spent the first month just gathering the hell out of community info and feedback across the web and is channelling that to move forward. One concern is a £1k+ console, so if she can combat that out the gate, it could be pretty interesting.

@Skinny-Pete Yeah that's what I'm feeling. The idea of a £1k machine puts me off despite the rising costs of the world. If they can mitigate that in any way (optional disc drive, two console variants etc...) it'd make for wise choice imo.

@GuyinPA75 See, I have the Series S and I have never had an issue with it. I do get frustrated by some concessions here and there, but then, I knew that would be the case as a consumer. I hope they either make two variants, or one variant that's cheaper and they accept the steeper losses of each sale.

Interesting. Keen to see where this goes.

One of the greatest games of all time imo.

I don't mind, so long as the acquisitions make sense. Given the state of the market right now, I'd personally make these choices very carefully. I mean, they just shut a few down (studios and deals) in the last 12 or so months. If they M&A, it has to make sense. I personally would not scoff at a JRPG driven studio.

They need to reign in some of their studios and give "some" direction. Both Sony and Nintendo have some solid IP because they make things people want. Xbox needs to get its teams to do the same. Fable is a shining example, SoD 3 too, as is FH, but...

They need more. They need the equivalent of that "Last of Us" "Ghost of" break-through. They need to completely reboot Halo if you ask me and start from scratch. Wouldn't hurt for them to make their own community-driven game, such as Rune Factory / Animal Crossing. Their own Stardew Valley-like game set in the world of Minecraft. Their own kart racer game using their IPs. Some new survival horrors etc... Things to make the world turn their heads.

Not to mention grabbing a JRPG studio to bring back Blue Dragon or Lost Odyssey - or a new JRPG IP.

I found the "affordability" an interesting point in her speech. Could we see a Helix S?

Asha is proving why the minority was wrong for judging her on day one. She's saying all the right things and pulling all the right moves. Next gen just got even more exciting.

Asha is one impressive lady. I like her. She is doing pretty impressive stuff and clearly isnt afraid to dive deep and kick sand.

She is really doing the brand wonders. Really goes to show what some new blood can do.

@Gunonaboat Game Pass Family is a must imo. They need to revisit that.

The tiers should remain the same. The only thing that should be interchangeable is the addition of EA / Ubi / Fortnite Crew. I would absolutely untick them all to bring the price down if I had the option to customize.

@Bob_Tempura I'd be happy with the higher hitters getting case by case but I don't think that will apply. CoD is the unicorn.

I think Xbox has a clear strategy here. They've 180'd under the guise of new leadership (same thing happened with Don / Phil) and they're reshaping the brand. They will be focused now on clawing back lost fans and building up the player base, and with moves like this, they're poised at a chance to succeed in doing so.

@Nakatomi_Uk Totally agree. The amount they would save doing away with Ubi, EA and Fortnite would give them more flexibility.

Fortnite I never understood. It's freebies in a free to play game. That is hardly the target audience for GP lol..

Much, much better. Asha doing all the right things.

@GeminiX53 Have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious evening <3

@GeminiX53 Telling someone else to rise above your clear and blatant attempts to rage bait is rage baiting in itself?... Uh huh.

All the time and 99% of the time I buy the film on physical once it's released. The cinema is a bad analogy and not comparable to subscription services.

It's not a bad analogy at all. You're enjoying content that you're not paying to own. Subscription or not, it's the same concept.

Nope. Never have, never will.

So I assume anyone that uses Netflix, Disney+ etc... are also entitled wallet dodgers too? Assuming you're going to stick to your own narrative?

You have no high ground here buddy. If you choose to pay to own everything in life, that's up to you. If you're happy to do that then that's your choice. Those of us that see the value in subscription services simply walk a different path, and there's nothing wrong with that. I don't get why you are so invested in trying to find an issue with it O_o

We take nothing we own into the next life...

@Backfor1day Nothing wrong with Game Pass subscribers. Don't let anyone tell you different. The majority of devs say nothing but great things and they get heaps of exposure and a fat pay cheque from MS. GP does contribute regardless to what the haters say. Gem is clearly trying to rage bait you. Rise above it buddy.

In fact it also gives subscribers a chance to play games they may never have played. Case in point Expedition 33 I would not have purchased otherwise. Thanks to GP I tried it at no risk and it is one of my fave games of all time.

On topic of the thread - Xbox's new leadership is doing really well. I said this when it was first announced Phil was leaving. The best way for a company to 180 is to remove leadership and install a new one. I am all for the direction Asha is heading in.

Rebrand Xbox first imo. Make the next gen feel like a clean slate.

Playground - Multiplat.
Acti blizzard - Case by case.
Bethesda - Case by case.
Everything else - Exclusive.

Once they claw back the base, they can revisit Playground, and everything else. It ain't just about exclusivity though - Xbox needs to make a few magical fresh IPs that turn heads and make people want to invest in the ecosystem (historical based stories, shooters, and even go back to RPGs like Blue Dragon and Lost Oddysee).

The addition of Fornite and Ubisoft+ was unnecessary. If you ask me. They need to;

1) remove EA Access
2) remove Fortnite extras
3) remove Ubisoft+.

Saving money there to lower the prices of Xbox GP. Then, they need to simplify the tiers. Two in total. Both including PC Game Pass and online by default (Play Anywhere makes this pretty much a given).

1) Game Pass - some 3rd party and delayed 1st party (£9)
2) Game Pass - more 3rd party and day one first party (£17)

If they need to remove CoD, then so be it. I understand why, it's a money machine. That's just how it makes sense to me. The current pricing for the highest tier is senseless. I mean Fortnite is free to play and takes up a lot of time to max out. The GP demographic is not exclusively playing Fortnite...