Kang81

@ArmoredMore

I believe they did this for the PC version of BG3 as well

I want to play it, but I already bought Divinity Original Sin 2 and haven't even played it because I never finished the first Divinity Original Sin.

So it will be a long time before I play BG3.

@BrilliantBill

"I just worry that now every big developers start selling 30 dollar play-it-5-days-early passes."

Oh, that is definitely going to be more prevalent going on. 🤦‍♂️

Publishers couldn't get money any easier than early access to a game, this will grow, and likely never go away. Me, I'll just wait the extra week. 🤷‍♂️😄

I'm not intentionally trying to offend anyone, and this is just my personal opinion on the matter. Personally, I think it's rather dumb to pay extra money for access to a game a few days up to a week before release. It's a week at most, fans have waited years, one more week really shouldn't matter, but obviously it does to a lot of people.

@Savage_Joe

Edited for grammar and clarity...hopefully

Late response, but I agree with you.

If Microsoft could come out of the disastrous Xbox 360 fiasco, and I bought 8 of them (thanks Best Buy warranties), I think they'll do fine if they have to backtrack on the whole parity thing. There will obviously be more backlash, and they may lose further customers from here on out, but Xbox is certainly not the only one of the big 3 who fell from grace and had to fight their way back. It's happened to both Sony and Nintendo.

Although, I do feel they don’t have much good will left between the 360 disaster and the poor decisions with the XBox One reveal and its seemingly lack of caring about developing its own 1st party studios and games. Which I feel was part of the reason for the creation of GamePass, as a quick fix band-aid leading into what I think is now their core strategy from here on out.

It's the combination of these that likely turned many consumers off the brand. It had that effect on me, to a point, but I still bought a Series X in the hopes they'd turn things around, which for me, I'm still waiting on.

Dropping parity, which leads to lost features on S versions of games surely won't help though. Hence Microsoft's poor sales of the XB1 and and continued 3rd place in console sales.

However, I'm not knowledgeable enough on tech specs and their limitations in comparison to a competitors system. I would imagine anyone with technical knowledge of the ups and downs of PC hardware, and that's basically a gaming console these days, won't be surprised by any of this.

It's the consumers who are unaware of this difference that will likely be disappointed or upset. I do feel it should be common sense based off the price difference alone. As with any product, if it's a cheaper version of a product, one should expect limitations.

This is all Microsoft's doing though by requiring parity between the S &.X. I'm fairly confident that a majority of gamers don't even use couch co-op, so it's only the minority that do who will feel cheated. It's couch co-op today, but what will it be tomorrow? I guess we'll all find out as the generation goes on.

@Dsswoosh

EDIT, I'm not intentionally trying to be offensive, though I understand if it does

This just seems like tinfoil hat console war mentality, which quite frankly is childish and needs to stop. Reviews are subjective opinions.

People hate on IGN reviews all the time, it doesn't mean their reviews are bought, nor those of GameSpot. One could say all reviews are bought if a reviewer wants to keep getting pre-release codes for reviews. For example, if a reviewer is known for consistently bad reviews, it is highly likely publishers will just forgo sending pre-release codes to that review outlet so it doesn't effect their metascore, which is so problematic to begin with.

The fact that people care about the numerical score of a game is just dumb. It seems far too many people don't even bother to read a review and instead either just read the summary and view it's score, or worse, base all their decisions on a a score. Which has clearly been shown to negatively effects a developers bonus pay.

I feel reviews shouldn't have scores. People should read the reviews so they can learn of a games faults and accomplishments. There is no perfect game, some people may feel otherwise, but faults can be found in any game.

Reviews are subjective, always have been, always will, and there will always be people that don't agree with them. It doesn't always mean a reviewer will be paid off.

@Jenkinss

So your saying the best path is to make a lesser version from PC and PS5 and restrict all Xbox versions from a feature consumers may want?

I plan on playing this solo, it I'm sure there are many who want to play in split screen co-op. Why should I get a lesser experience because people were

1) Too cheap to buy a Series X
2) Couldn't afford the Series X

I didn't pay for the Series X to be held back by the Series S.

Consoles are a luxury item, and while I'm fortunate enough to be able to own all 3, if I couldn't afford the Series X at launch, I'd just wait and save up more for it instead of limiting myself with a lesser console.

I'm all for Xbox selling a lower priced console to make it more affordable for consumers, like everyone, there was a time I couldn't afford all 3 consoles let alone one new console at launch.

This parity and dropped features issue will only grow worse as this generation continues. Mi rosoft should have just released a digital only console with the same specs as the Series X for $100 less just like the PS5, then this would never even be an issue or discussion.

@Lightning720

That may be the case for now, but it will more than likely grow worse as the generation goes on. If I bought an S, and all of a sudden games start omitting featurs the X version has because of hardware limitations I'd be upset.

@RadioHedgeFund

Edit: None of what I say is meant to be offensive.

That is holding the Series X back then. That is the same as creating Horizon Forbidden West or God of War Ragnarök for PS4 and only slightly improving them for the PS5. Both games could have, and should have been better on the PS5, but weren't because of the PS4 being the base console they were developed for.

It was already shown how improvements could be made by ditching the PS4 and making the Horizon Forbidden West DLC PS5 only. Sure, it sucks for PS4 owners, and honestly doing it that way is a slap in the face to PS4 owners in my opinion.

In no way should the S be the base console games are created for and then just slightly improved for the Series X, especially multi-platform games. That would hold games back on both the Xbox Series X and PS5, and that screws over everybody that purchased next gen consoles for their increased capabilities.

Why should someone who paid an extra $200 for a Series X have to deal with games being made for the lower powered Series S because consumers didnt want to pay the extra money for the X?

That shouldn't be on developers, that was Microsoft's poor decision. I wouldn't be surprised if some games later in the generation just don't come to Xbox due to the S/X parity, or where the Xbox version in general is of lesser quality, and that's not good.

@JDCII

Not your fault. I see why Microsoft did what they did, but I still feel it would have been better to do as Sony did with their digital only edition. Same exact specs, just no disc drive and $100 cheaper.

It's only a matter of time before the parity between the X and S widens. S owners shouldn't have to.deal with that, and I feel Microsoft shot themselves on the foot with this decision.

"I don't see a world where we drop S"

Let's see how this quote holds up a few years from now, especially if Xbox & Sony release mid-gen upgrades again.

@GamingFan4Lyf

I certainly hope so, and I really do want more IPs from Xbox. I'd best most people can't, or at the very least choose not to buy multiple consoles, so I'm still against the purchase of 3rd party publishers, but its done and nothing can be done about it now. I do hope major franchises like Elder Scrolls and Fallout stay multi-platform, but only time will tell.

I'm super excited to know Fable is coming back, although I am highly skeptical it will retain all the things I love the 1st two games for.

Again, I am fortunate enough to be able to afford the 3 consoles each generation, so I wont miss out on games like Starfield and other Bethesda games, I have no interest in ActivisionBlizzard games. I would like to chose my console of choice for said games, which would have been Playstation, mostly due to controller preference, but it is what it is

That's surprising, but ultimately good news, because continuing to force Series S parity with the Series X is only going to get worse.

I don't want Series S owners to feel shafted, but it should have been obvious from day one that it would eventually be an issue, and Microsoft screwed up by requiring it from the start. They should have just done the same as Sony and offer a digital only Series X for a lower price with the exact same specs.

@GamingFan4Lyf

I agree, I just wish Microsoft didnt waste and entire generation after the horrible Xbox One reveal, and used its endless amounts of money to actually create new IP's and studios. Instead, they shutdown studios, canceled new IP's like Scalebound, and just created game pass, which it counted on for the entire generation. Now they're just buying publishers that nostly stick to their core IP's.

Starfield and Redfall aside, I still want to see new IPs from Xbox, not just purchased and well known IPs made exclusive. Because forcing me to use my Xbox to play franchises I've been playing for years does nothing for me.

Well let's hope so, Xbox has been saying this for years. After its first year, my Xbox one was mostly a paperweight for the remainder of the generation, I'd like to know my Series X won't be the same. Because if it is, I'll no longer have the need to get all 3 consoles each generation.

I loved the demo, but I need to find out if they fixed the controller settings issues and changes to the camera that made them worse, before I buy.

In the demo, none of the settings would change when trying to apply them. That was a bug and I'm sure that's been fixed. The bigger issue was the design changes to the camera controls while using a controller.

They've pretty much been perfect for both Shadow Tactics and Desperados 3. I have no idea why they decided to change them, and according to the demo feedback on Steam, it seems many others felt the same way.

@CutchuSlow

I wouldn't call him a legend, perse, just a very well liked member of the Xbox company. He was pretty much the face of Microsoft in terms of social presence, and he always seemed like a genuinely cool guy.

At least that's my take on it. Especially during the Xbox 360 era.

News Anchor: "This just in, Microsoft to purchase Nintendo for 100 Billion Dollars!"

Proceeds to laugh like Dr. Evil.

I'm actually surprised to see Red Dead Redemption take such a drastic win. Even more considering it only has two games.

I'm not including Red Dead Revolver as I believe most fans of RDR 1 & 2 either never played Revolver or even know of its existence.

However, even including RD Revolver, the massive global phenomenon that is GTA is hard to beat in terms of sheer popularity.

Or so it seemed.

Quite frankly, nothing.

Streaming music or movies/TV is one thing, streaming games will never be for me.

I will never support streaming games either, because doing so will just help companies push for an all streaming future of games. Companies are already taking away our ability to own the products we pay for, streaming and potentially streaming only being tied to a service is the ultimate goal for them. No thank you.

I'm looking forward to Sea of Stars, the demo was great. Looks like it's free on both Playstation and Xbox services now.

It's a game I want on Switch, but I'll play it for free (technically) then wait for the Switch physical version to release and grab it there.

I'd buy this again on a deep discount if it released on PC so I can play it on my Steam Deck, but no way would I pay that price on any system now.

I'm fine with my 360 copy.

@Casco

Thanks for the update. Looks like I missed out.

@Casco

Really late reply, but thanks, and I'll keep an eye out for them.

@Casco

That still works? Where do you get the cards?

Will I stay subscribed? Not sure, my few years of extended GamePass for $1 upgrade finally ran out. I was just charged under $50 for a 3 month increment. The price isn't the big issue for me, it's the overall service.

Considering how little I've used GamePass or my XB1/Series X in these past 3 years (?) of my $1 GamePass Ultimate upgrade, I'm leaning towards no. I may let it lapse, then subscribe again when Starfield launches to see what I think. Considering most of Xbox's exclusives are still a long way off, and many don't interest me, I may just cancel outright.

To be fair, now that Sony has released most of their big hits, and Nintendo released TotK, there isn't really much in all of gaming I'm looking forward to. This gen has been a major letdown compared to the past two.

The good thing about this is that I've been able to work on some of my backlog. I gave up on the impossible task of trying to finish it, but I'm at least trying to finish recent and my most wanted games in it.

@WallyWest

I haven't played much in weeks, but considering this update barely fixes anything, I would say the experience is practically the same. Anyone who ones more, feel free to correct me.

@Vacuumator

Yeah, the game could have potential. I liken it somewhat to Anthem. Major design issues that simply cannot be fixed with updates and patches, but can at least be fixed to a more enjoyable state.

Though I actually paid for Anthem so I was more inclined to stick with it to try and get my money's worth. Bioware nailed the fun of using the Javelin's, so I'm disappointed we never got to at least try Anthem 2.0.

Redfall is a bit different. I LOVE Arkane's games, but since it's part of GamePass and my brother and I have less time to co-op games these days, waiting for some significant fixes may not be fast enough for us.

I've seriously limited my gaming to experiences worthy of my limited free time. I have even given up attempting to complete my impossible backlog, so waiting for broken games to be fixed isn't something I'm inclined to do anymore.

A shame, because I do enjoy the setting, and in my opinion, Vampires are underutilized in games, I'd like to see them more. Still not as bad as the lack of Werewolves in games, particularly playable ones.

Wait, they stick outside the system like a USB drive?? I don't know about the original official options, but I had thought the Series X had a slot they slid all the way into.

I honestly haven't looked at the back of my Series X since I set it up, but if that's the case for both options it's ugly and I don't like having more crap sticking out of my systems than the already numerous cords.

Plus it just makes it that much susceptible to accidental damage.

I want Lara to be the experienced globe trotting explorer of yore. I miss that Lara Croft as her journeys took her to numerous locales in one game.

I also want a much larger emphasis on puzzles. If memory serves me right, not only were they larger, but they were also not always contained in one small area in the earlier games and reboot. Underwater exploration like Tomb Raider Underworld would be welcome as well.

Basically just bring back the old Lara and her style with modern tech. Oh, and for crying out loud...please bring back the large setpieces of Croft Manor with its mysteries and exploration.

@trev666

I had to text my brother to find out. His response was...

"Don't recall the exact name but it is a few points to the left in the ice skill tree. It freezes your enemies solid and when you kill them in that state if gives you extra resources. However, when you kill them in that state, it gives you ZERO resources.

It's an essential skill as enemies Don't really respawn so you can't farm them for resources."

If that makes any sense.

I barely played the game as I've been caught up in Hogwarts Legacy and trying to finally finish Control in my limited free time to game lately.

Havent had much freetime for gaming lately and when I do im usually playing Hogwarts Legacy, but I
I did try out Atomic Heart the other day.

Visually and design-wise the game is gorgeous and intriguing. I hope the rest of the game ends up fairly well.

I've not gotten very far into it though. Just past my first main enemy encounter and now where the stealth takedown is first introduced.

I'm really over the button mashing mini-game. It's been over a decade since it was introduced and it's time to put it to rest. It's never been fun. Also, tying a button mash sequence to perform a stealth takedown is both and odd design choice and a bad one. I'd rather not have stealth options at all if I have to mash a button repeatedly. 🙄

My brother is further along and tells me there is a major bug with a perk and he's holding off playing until its fixed. So I'll do the same until I hear from him that's it's been fixed.

If it means streaming only on any device, no thanks. I'd just find another hobby or go back to ones ove been neglecting.

I loved the demo on Steam Deck , I'm looking forward to getting this.