Comments 490

Re: Phil Spencer Issues Statement In Response To Massive Xbox Leak

Kienda

@PsBoxSwitchOwner I said trolls because they were clearly not reading what Phil had said.

We know he’s not lying because we can see the emails. Phil did not say, “None of this is true.” He said, “so much has changed”.

Has Phil guilty of PR spin in the past? Sure. But this statement is straight forward and verifiable because we can see how inaccurate things are because of the Bethesda timeline which was not accurate to what released.

Re: Phil Spencer Issues Statement In Response To Massive Xbox Leak

Kienda

Looks like some trolls are out.

It’s clear some of the stuff is a couple years out of date. Bethesda’s roadmap still had Starfield listed for 2021/2022.

So, Phil isn’t lying. He’s just saying that some things will be different than the leaks, which is a pretty obvious statement to make.

Nothing from the leaks is new or surprising (despite the hysteria on rival news sites). Yes, some of the things they thought of doing aren’t good for the industry. But it’s just normal talk that happens in high end businesses.

It’s just that most gamers/gaming journalists have no idea how the business world works, it seems.

Re: Microsoft Is Targeting 2028 For A 'Hybrid' Next Generation Xbox Console

Kienda

To be honest. Xbox should just be fully open moving forward.

“Yes, this is our strategy. You are all welcome on this journey with us. We are not afraid of our competitors knowing what we are doing. We want our customers to be prepared for the best future with Xbox.”

That kind of take.

Does this suck? Yep.

Does it give Sony/Nintendo an advantage? Hugely!

But they opened themselves up to this mess through acquisitions that resulted in lawsuits. They have made bold/controversial moves that have shifted the gaming landscape. So now they need to suck it up and make the best of it.

Re: Square Enix Gives Hope To Xbox Fans With Short 'FF7 Rebirth' Exclusivity Window

Kienda

Come on everyone. Be positive. We have wanted this for years and then as soon as there’s a smidgen of hope, most people are trashing the game and Square Enix.

Yes, SE has been bad recently and their treatment of Xbox fans, particularly their lack of communication with us, has been disrespectful at least. But all added third party games to Xbox are a bonus.

I really, really want this game on Xbox. Let’s hope Square Enix learns from all of this and respects Xbox fans again.

Re: Oh Look, Starfield Is Getting Review Bombed On Metacritic

Kienda

@Lanmanna yes, I realise I’m pathetic because frame rates hurt me.

I work in marketing. I have filmed hundreds for commercials and produced thousands of videos so I know a thing or two about frame rates.

The reason for the 24/25/30 frames (based on country) for TV and Cinema is it gives that cinematic look. There are also benefits to it, the ability to shoot in lower light, for example, your bitrate gives higher quality image per megabit of file size etc. Anyways, it’s been that way since the early 1900s and likely won’t go away soon.

There is a difference between film and gaming though. But yes, I do see the judder in film. It’s just easier to look past.

Also some games aren’t a problem. First Person games though are important to be 60fps (imho).

Re: Unity Responds To Major Concerns About New 'Runtime Fees' And Xbox Game Pass Titles

Kienda

“Fees are charged to distributors, which in the Game Pass example would be Microsoft."

I’d imagine this is why they are doing it. Unity want some Microsoft coin.

It’s greed pure and simple. It helps no one but the fat cats at the top of Unity and their share holders. It’s damaging to the gaming community as a whole.

Microsoft likely will remove Unity games from the Game Pass library, won’t make future deals or make lesser deals to offset the new Unity tax with developers who are locked into Unity.

Re: New Starfield Test Suggests It Could Run At 40-60FPS On Xbox Series X

Kienda

@Ocat the game is great, but Bethesda/Microsoft aren’t charities. We are paying customers and it’s okay for us to have high expectations from them.

Some basic things I would like to see:

  • 60fps
  • Mouse and Keyboard support on Xbox
  • Maps of cities

All could (arguably should) have been in there at launch. But they can still be patched so let’s push them to add them.

Re: New Starfield Test Suggests It Could Run At 40-60FPS On Xbox Series X

Kienda

@FraserG the headline is fine, don’t fret.

@evan23 the video showed it running almost always at 40fps using the current settings the Xbox is using and in some places 60fps. But there are some things to remember.

The video was the PC version using Xbox Series X CPU with PS5 GPU, so not like for like.

No one is suggesting they keep the graphics the same and just unlock the frame rate to achieve 60. There will always have to be a visual compromise to achieve it.

Conclusion: Bethesda could easily have delivered a 60fps option on Series X version only with slightly downgraded graphics. (And personally I can’t understand why they didn’t).

Re: Oh Look, Starfield Is Getting Review Bombed On Metacritic

Kienda

@GamingFan4Lyf yeah, I already turned off the blur but it’s the 30fps itself.

I used to be a competitive gamer playing first person shooters on PC at 120-165fps so I think I got very used to it and now when I play anything at 30fps it’s very noticeable.

As you might imagine the Series X upgrading loads of older games to 60 has been a life changer for me. I’m playing a lot more older games I previously skipped just for the frame rate.

Starfield is an exception though because I really am enjoying this game.

Re: Oh Look, Starfield Is Getting Review Bombed On Metacritic

Kienda

@GamingFan4Lyf @Cashews I mean, I don’t like the 30fps. Sometimes it does hurt my head in games and I can see the blur 90% of the time I play Starfield, but I’m still playing the game and enjoying it. It’s not a deal breaker.

But the real problem I have with the game is lack of keyboard and mouse support on Xbox. I’ve had to lower the difficulty because my right thumb is so bad at aiming. But again, I’m still playing it because it’s not a deal breaker.

And neither of these things would make me give this game a low score.

Re: Oh Look, Starfield Is Getting Review Bombed On Metacritic

Kienda

There is like 1% of the gaming community having a royal rumble on Twitter and Reddit over console wars and organising to review bomb games because they have nothing better to do with their sad existence.

Then the other 99% of gamers is just playing the games they like and enjoy and not caring one second about the console warriors.

There are more people playing Starfield right now lost to the stars and having the time of their lives than there ever will be hating this game.

Just ignore them.

Re: Don't Forget, Starfield Is Playable On Xbox One With Game Pass Ultimate

Kienda

@Groovicles yeah, I have done the same. I know everyone is trashing cloud streaming here, but it’s actually a good thing to have.

Before I got my Series X I used it to test a number of next gen only games on my Xbox One. And for those of us with kids, it’s great.

Recently used my old Xbox One to stream Starfield from the office when the kids had friends over and took over the Series X and S.

I’m not sure why Xbox doesn’t promote it more as it is a great feature for those on a budget.

Re: Poll: Starfield Explorers, What Do You Think Of Fast Travel So Far?

Kienda

I think it impacts immersion.

The fast travel is obviously there for convenience and many players would complain if it didn’t exist but I think both the fast travel and especially the loading screens impact the feel of immersion.

Even catching the train you don’t even get inside it. And when you load in after the journey you’re far away from it. I’d prefer to select where to go and go through an animation of getting on and off the train (or manually get on and wait for the doors to close) to keep the immersion rather than loading from one location to the other almost instantly.

This same concept can be applied to all the fast travel and loading screens.

I feel they could have kept the system the same but hidden it better behind clever cinematic direction.

Re: Early Access Players, What Are Your First Impressions Of Starfield?

Kienda

Everyone is saying it’s “buttery smooth” but to me I still see the 30fps judder and it hurts my head. Really wish it was 60fps.

That said, I’m really enjoying the game.

The feel of the game, the universe, the music, the characters. It’s all great. I will be lost in this universe for many weeks/months to come.

Re: Bethesda Thanks Fans For Their Support As Starfield Enters Early Access

Kienda

This is what it’s all about. The people who make it and the fans that play it.

Forget the online drama. Block out the trolls. Take the review scores with a pinch of salt, especially those with an agenda or two (or 7). As gamers we will just be playing the game and enjoying it and as developers they will just enjoy their communities excitement for and journey through the game.

This is one of the games of the generation. It’s been a labour of love for so many people. And it deserves to be honoured for that.

Shame on everyone who’s trying to ruin this moment for the fans, the developers and the gaming world as a whole which benefits from ambitious titles like this.

Re: Where's Our Starfield Review?

Kienda

I will be well into the game by the time I read your review, but read it and appreciate it I will.

I really hope sites that missed out won’t lower their scores to spite Bethesda.

Re: Shadow Gambit Has Five-Star Reviews On Xbox, But The Developer Is Shutting Down

Kienda

Sadly, all good things come to an end eventually.

It seems they are stopping to be with their families and not because of poor sales? Likely the investors wanted a return on their investment and kept the pressure on but ultimately damaged this studios ongoing existence for quicker profits (or maybe I’m just reading into it to much).

A good reminder of how important it is to keep a good work/life balance.

They’ve prioritised the right thing.

Re: Microsoft Pulls Xbox Game Pass Trial Ahead Of Starfield Release

Kienda

Good.

People can make unlimited numbers of accounts based on emails and use these $1 trials every time they want to play a new game.

It’s not all lost though. You can get a month of Starfield for just $17 which is way less than a first party Sony game of $70. And that $17 adds loads of other games on top.

So it’s still a cheap way to play the latest titles. Especially if you get some deals.

Re: Talking Point: Have You Ever Bought An Xbox For One Specific Game?

Kienda

@Kaloudz I’m a big MMORPG fan so for me it was a good game.

However, it’s not as good as the originals (for me at least). It gives some nostalgic kicks, the intro screen and music, sounds on the menus and things all bring those feelings back, but don’t expect it to be the same as the original. It’s open world now and has faster paced combat and it’s just a fun game to spend some hours with. But if you get hooked, be warned as it’s very grindy in the endgame. I didn’t really invest too much time on the end game though as I didn’t want to get burnt out.

I’d still rank the Dreamcast/GameCube PSOs as two of my favourite games of that generation. This game isn’t up there with them but it’s free and is probably worth your time if you liked the previous games.

Re: Bethesda Exec 'Hasn't Come Close' To Finishing Starfield After 160 Hours

Kienda

@XBOX045 I’m with you on that one. It’s not that I’m bored, but I get attracted to other games and then keep going back and forth between them all the time.

I have a few games where I have invested hundreds or even thousands of hours (MMORPGs / Multiplayer games) but 99.99% of the games I have played are unfinished at varying degrees.

Mostly 30-50% through, some games 70-80% through. And I promise myself I’ll finish them one day.

My only platinum on PlayStation is Horizon Zero Dawn. I have no 100%s on Xbox, Switch of PC. But Breath of the Wild is close on my Wii U.

Re: The Xbox Series X Is 'At The End Of The Beginning', Says Phil Spencer

Kienda

I think we have all felt the slow pace of the start of this generation.

It seems we will be overloaded with new releases in the next six months. Almost like when a clog in a pipe is cleared and water gushes out before slowing down again.

I’d suggest the industry tries to spread things out so we don’t have another drought in the future but they clearly want to make some sales in the here and now.

Re: Call Of Duty Game Page Update Confirms Modern Warfare 3 For Xbox One

Kienda

Call of Duty is going to be releasing on Switch (or Switch 2) for the next 10 years. So there is no reason why Xbox One and PS4 will be left out at least in the near future when they still have substantial install bases.

In fact, most PC gamers have a PC somewhere around the Xbox Series S with many playing on hardware similar to an Xbox One. So having a game scale from Switch all the way up to high end PCs is the way to go.

It just means the developers have to put in a lot more work. But it is very doable. And also, is already being done through PC.

Re: Surprise! Quake 2 'Enhanced' Is Out Today On Xbox Game Pass

Kienda

@Cashews my son hates gyro on Splatoon, so it isn’t for everyone. But my daughter and I love it and my aim on Splatoon 3 is far better than in other console FPS games as a result of it.

But I’m still best with mouse and keyboard. Luckily Xbox supports that on most shooters.

Re: Surprise! Quake 2 'Enhanced' Is Out Today On Xbox Game Pass

Kienda

@ralphdibny I agree, they should make a controller with gyro. There are some great gaming experiences on PlayStation and Switch that we can’t have on Xbox because of no gyro, and one of them is better aiming.

@Cashews okay, a few things to counter here because I think your comment was a bit too protective of Xbox.

1. Splatoon’s gyro controls are a game changer.

Almost all the pros use it. I watched a video talking about it and the top Splatoon 2 player from Japan didn’t use it. He switched to to gyro and got better.

2. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean others don’t like it.

3. If you want to play this game as “God intended” then use a mouse and keyboard.

This game wasn’t on console until years after PC. So don’t be elitist just because Xbox doesn’t have a feature.

4. This is an enhanced game and has been updated for its time. Gyro controls are a thing of this time just like 4K visuals.

5. Let’s love Xbox but let’s not allow our over protectiveness to hold Xbox back. Xbox lacks a key feature that some people can’t live without. What’s best for Xbox is that that feature gets added in the future.

Re: Xbox Unveils New Feature That Allows Entirely Remote Controller Pairing

Kienda

No more using my kids for this feature!

We have four Xboxes in the house (all different models) and often change a controller when the kids brings their controllers to my Xbox or mine to theirs so we can play together, but it usually goes along the lines of me asking them to press the button, they then hit the eject button, I then have to get up anyway to return the disc or clean it after they get finger prints on it and then I press the right button, so it’s my fault for being lazy in the first place.

(TLDR: This will be a welcome feature in my Xbox filled house!)