I would absolutely use AI on my Xbox especially for walkthroughs or voice commands. I already use copilot daily for research and if Microsoft could weave copilot into Xbox is be fine with that HOWEVER it would NEED to be built-in as a UI level integration. I'd want it to be seamless, I'd want access to it just as easily as I can tap a button to take a screenshot, copilot (AI) integration would NEED to be just as seamless for me. I'm stuck looking for something in game, I tap a button, tell copilot what I'm looking for and it gives me exactly what I need, nothing more nothing less.
I can see AI integration making a UI more seamless, being ready to deep dive into anything you ask of it. While that's great and all, I am personally more interested in what a LLM could offer random NPCs in a game. Imagine an open world game where talking to different people actually warrants deep conversations (obviously there would be guardrails in place, plus the LLM would need to be altered to specifically speak in regards to the context of the world itself, you wouldn't be able to talk random nonsense, everything would be game + lore + world + quest related). It would be very interesting indeed, never hearing phrases repeatedly forever and instead the NPCs would speak on current events within the game world itself lol IDK in my head it sounds much cooler than it probably would be in practice lol.
@jesse_dylan I played Avowed 5 days before release and it had a few bugs but nothing game breaking, by the time the Day 1 patch released most of bugs were gone and by the time it got its second patch most of the stability and performance issues were fixed.
The game is a GOOD game, I feel like the people who hate on it either never played it OR they spent an hour with it and gave up. Once you start getting deeper into it's systems the game REALLY starts to shine. Combat and exploration are a blast!
@Shinato2024 I genuinely enjoyed the game myself as well, it didn't deserve a fraction of the hate it got. The story was intriguing, the characters were good, the lore was even better and the side quests involving your squad mates was some of the best of the entire game!
This is great news as I genuinely enjoyed Avowed from beginning to end! I'd love to experience new game plus and see what else the new update has to offer! I hope we get DLC or confirmation of a sequel because there's so much lore inhabiting the world just waiting to be explored.
@Chip-Douglas couldn't agree more! RDR2 is absolutely stunning! I want a current generation remastered remake of RDR2 so bad lol think oblivion remastered but RDR2
@themightyant couldn't agree more. I'm still deep into The Outer Worlds 2, I recently completed DOOM: The Dark Ages, I may playthrough Avowed again, I've barely dipped my toes into Oblivion Remastered (I got a bug where my quest won't move forward and no matter what I do it won't fix it, the ONLY thing left is to start again and the 1st few hours of the game are so tedious lol), I still haven't touched Assassin's Creed Mirage (I own it so NBD), I also want to finish my playthrough Metaphor Refantazio, as well as a couple other games.
I actually revisited RDR earlier this year and was surprised at how well the game looked on my Series X. The 4K upscaling is REALLY good, the only thing that bugged me was the 30fps lock but after a while you get used to it.
Now that there's a native Xbox Series version, I'm going to have to play it! The 4K resolution with full HDR support combined with 60fps means this classic is going to shine like never before and I can't wait to play it!
All that being said, I am absolutely DESPERATE for a RDR2 upgrade for Xbox Series X|S! I own RDR2 on PlayStation and Xbox & the Xbox version is the best console version of the game. Playing RDR2 on PS5 means it's running the PS4 pro version via backwards compatibility & it's got completely BROKEN HDR, the game is so dark and no matter what you change your TV settings too it just doesn't look good, also the upscaled 4K on the PS4 pro version adds this weird foggy like blur to the image, I don't know how to explain it but yeah.
RDR2 on Xbox Series X reverts to the Xbox One X version of the game & it actually looks good thanks to native 4K resolution combined with full HDR support that makes the game look as good as possible on console. HOWEVER, the 30fps is the one thing that makes the game not look as good as it possibly could (it's still one of the best looking games ever made).
I truly believe if we get a current generation upgrade for RDR2 with updated textures, native 4K resolution combined with 60fps, RDR2 will easily become one of the BEST looking games on current generation consoles. We know Rockstar was working on a current generation upgrade for RDR2 but "paused" development in order to "get all hands on deck for GTA 6". I'm hoping that while we're waiting for GTA 6 we get a RDR2 upgrade because that'd literally hold me over for quite some time lol (there's so much hidden things to do in RDR2 it still surprises me to this day).
Geez that was longer than I wanted my comment to be lol happy holidays, happy gaming ✌️
Man that's one badass controller! They nailed that classic 2005 Xbox 360 launch era look for sure! I wish they'd make one that only had hall effect analog sticks and triggers + 2 mappable back buttons for like $50 because it's be a day one purchase for me!
lol at $200 I can't justify it especially when my Gamesir G7 HE has the same features minus the display & cost me just $50.
I voted for South of Midnight for Games for impact. I'm genuinely surprised it wasn't nominated for best sound design or musical score, or even artistic vision or something like that. The game is really good if given a proper chance.
South of Midnight was something I wasn't sure I was going to try. My wife ended up beating it and told me it's an absolute gem, so I decided to give South of Midnight a go and I'm glad I did!
The Southern Gothic Folklore, magical realism, and stop motion artistry gave South of Midnight an extremely surreal vibe. It's not sime big open world but its unique world is very artistic and fun to explore.
The storyline was surprisingly DEEP as hell. It captured the emotions of characters, each struggling through their own life's choices. They way the game shows different characters lives through their lenses was really cool and very impactful.
The game did a GREAT job exploring the South haunted by it's history. The game acknowledges that the region’s beauty is inseparable from its painful past. Slavery, poverty, and generational trauma. These themes seep into the atmosphere, making the haunting feel intellectual rather than purely spectral. The gothic monsters and creatures are metaphors that embody cultural anxieties that turn folklore in allegory. (Unfortunately I've come across reviews written on the Microsoft store that are beyond disgusting, teeming with racism and bigotry. Condemning the game for having a female lead that's mixed race, which is a shame).
The ONLY downside to the game itself was the combat gets a little bit repetitive. Other than that, South of Midnight was a joy to play and I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested and open minded enough to enjoy a game like this. Happy gaming ✌️
Expedition 33 was an incredible game, it took me a minute to get into it but once I did I was hooked. I voted it GoTY for The Game Awards today. Glad to see Oblivion Remastered get a win, also glad to see Xbox games being praised for their merit. Happy gaming ✌️
@Fiendish-Beaver I do believe Sony will publish their first party games across all platforms at some point (they're already confirmed that 1st party games will come to PC either at launch or about a year later, we've seen this with God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, and Spiderman 2). While IDK if we'll see 1st party PlayStation exclusives on Xbox ever, I do believe we will see more and more 2nd party times exclusives reaching Xbox. Square Enix themselves has been pretty vocal about their dismay with the performance of their games released solely on PlayStation & that from now on they plan on releasing across ALL platforms.
I think as time goes on and development costs continue to rise, it just makes the MOST sense to sell your games across as many platforms as possible. Spiderman 2 for example was absolutely spectacular of a game (I'm still sour we didn't get any DLC), but the cost it took to make the game and the money earned back from sales on PS5 weren't very good. (We know this to be true from the massive insomniac hack that detailed a bunch of behind the scenes stuff).
From my viewpoint exclusives really don't make sense in 2025 and beyond. Sony themselves even plans on becoming "more software focused" rather than hardware which tracks well because Microsoft has sold a fraction of the consoles yet makes just as much revenue (probably more now I'm sure) than all the other hardware manufacturers. What I'm saying isn't strictly just my opinion, there's a bunch of evidence that points to these being the trends the industry is moving towards & it makes sense.
Helldiver's 2 was the only reason I'd turn on my PS5 for all of 2024 lol now it's on Xbox the only reason I'll turn on my PS5 is if I end up getting Ghost of Yotei but I won't be buying it at full price, I'll be waiting for a discount of some sort.
Side note, I genuinely wish Helldiver's 2 had cross platform progression. I'm over 3 quarters of the way to platinum trophy and it'd be so cool for all my progress and ship upgrades to transfer over to Xbox. Happy gaming ✌️
I'm still surprised at how well some games look and run on my Xbox Series S! Games that are properly optimized for the Series S look incredibly good. Alan Wake 2, Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, The Outer Worlds 2, Stalker 2, Resident Evil Village and Dead Space Remake all look and run fantastically on Series S.
I play on Series X at home but when I'm away from home, it's my Xbox Series S that I take with me alongside my 17inch gaming monitor and it's the perfect portable setup for when gaming away from home (especially when I'm stuck at my in-laws house lol)
The Steam Box Mini is built for 4K living room gaming, hitting performance levels similar to PS5 thanks to its Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU. Even with fewer compute units in the GPU (28 vs PS5’s 36), it delivers slightly better TFLOPs at around 10.5 to 11.5 TFLOPS (vs the 10.28TFLOPS on PS5) thanks to higher clocks and architectural gains. It’s compact, efficient, and leverages FSR 3 with frame generation to push high res gaming without needing massive power. If devs start optimizing for it directly, it could become a legit console class experience with SOME PC flexibility. That's honestly, the REAL question, will DEVS target this device when making games?
If we look at the Series X for example (or even the PS5 for that matter) the Series X consistently punches above its weight because Microsoft built more than just raw specs. The 12TF RDNA2 GPU and Zen 2 CPU give it a solid foundation, but the real secret sauce is the DEV optimizations and DEV tools. With DirectX 12 Ultimate, Velocity Architecture, and features like Sampler Feedback Streaming, developers get "closer to the metal access" to CPU/GPU resources. That means less wasted cycles, smarter asset streaming, and better memory management. Combine that with powerful profiling tools and cross platform synergy with PC, and you’ve got a box that delivers performance well beyond what the spec sheet alone suggests.
If the Steam Box Mini can bring DEVS on board it may be the perfect little living room console. Happy gaming ✌️
There's no way I'd pay $170 for a phone controller that has NO Hall Effect Analog sticks. I am currently utilizing the Gamesir X2S type C controller, it was $30 and has Hall Effect Analog sticks and hall effect triggers, the left and right bumper are clicky like a mouse & the D-pad is great. The ONLY downside is there's no back buttons but other than that it's been amazing.
The reason why Hall Effect Analog sticks with type-C are so important is because of the ZERO deadzone, low latency, and anti- stick drift. I previously had a Bluetooth mobile controller and Xbox Cloud Gaming was unplayable due to the latency caused by Bluetooth & alps sticks.
Once I got the Gamesir X2S type C controller with Hall Effect Analog sticks, I was genuinely shocked out how responsive Xbox Cloud Gaming had become. I couldn't race supercross on MX vs ATV legends due to latency, once I switched to the X2S I was running lap times that were closer to what I'd do on my Xbox Series X (obviously my Series X with my wired Gamesir G7 HE is creme de La creme lol).
Anyone looking for a cheap compact controller check out Gamesir, they just released a new controller for $35 that's even better than my X2S. I feel like the premium price tag of the backbone isn't worth it, not when you can get the Razer Kishi V3 for $99 that has full sized TMR thumb sticks + back buttons.
At the end of the day my little Gamesir X2S type C controller has allowed me to play some amazing games on the go. I'm currently obsessed with Halls of Torment, as well as deep rock galactic survivor.
@Cakefish I definitely agree with your sentiment, the game doesn't offer much replay value but it REALLY is an expression of artistic vision. I doubt it'll be a game I revisit but nonetheless I am glad to have experienced it.
@Titntin you're going to enjoy it, especially if you go in with an open mind. It's beautiful on Series X and has some REALLY cool environments littered with environmental storytelling. Also, my wife and I are back on GPU because it's still cheaper than buying 2 copies of a game at a wack. (We also only subscribe when we find good deals).
@Sol4ris I also went with a 9. It definitely had a journey vibe to it, the environmental storytelling was great. The more I played the more I enjoyed the game.
I personally give the game a 9 out of 10. I purposely went into the game with an open mind, with absolutely ZERO expectations (what can you really expect from a sentient lighthouse lol). This allowed me to experience the game for all it had to offer without being bummed about things I wish it was or could've been.
I played Keeper upon returning home from having emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder. It was a whole ordeal that was a literal nightmare, so coming home being sore AF I didn't really want to do much. The first 3 days of being home I was stuck in bed so I just played Keeper via Xbox Cloud Gaming. When I was finally able to move to my Series X I was even more impressed with Keeper. For some reason the game just kept me entertained, it was like I was in a trance or something (the pain meds may or may not have contributed to this lol) but I genuinely enjoyed the game.
Exploration was the coolest part for me, especially the clouds and the seas, solving puzzles were fun too. It was just cool to experience the chill vibe keeper had on offer. IDK if it's something I'll playthrough again, like I have with other Double Fine games, but it was good nonetheless. Happy gaming ✌️
The game hubs have really grown on me. They've offered me much better context of everything associated with a specific game. It's allowed me to find DLC I owned but didn't realize it wasn't installed (I'm looking at you The Witcher 3).
game hubs are also great for all my screenshots and videos associated with a specific game. That feature has been super helpful to me, opening a game hub and realizing, oh yeah I forgot I took that screenshot or I forgot to edit that clip.
Overall, I've definitely come to appreciate gamehubs. I've had them for a while now since I'm an Xbox insider currently enrolled in the Beta Preview Ring on my Xbox Series X. It's cool that people can turn the game hub features off if they want to but for me personally, I've found them more useful than not. Happy gaming ✌️
I'm really excited for Sledding Game lol that just looks like a good time! Also, Day Z: Badlands has my attention. The game is already good so any extra content and updates to make it better are all good in my book.
Awaysis also looks like a wacky good time, especially since the campaign can be completed with friends thanks to 1-4 player co-op. Some of my favorite games of all time are games that can be beaten with friends. There's not enough games that feature campaign co-op IMO. Happy gaming ✌️
The upcoming Xbox handheld with an Xbox Series S successor. It'll most likely be a hybrid device that can be docked (think Switch 2, Steam Deck, ROG Ally). My guess it'll serve as the "entry level next gen console" similar to what the Series S did.
This news makes me so happy! I'd love to own a 1st party Xbox handheld CONSOLE!
@mikeangry agreed 💯 percent! I don't care if they get creative with gun skins and military skins HOWEVER if it goes cartoon style or we see other IP characters (Beavis and Butthead, Family Guy, Nicki Minaj etcetera) that's where it's just too much for me!
That being said, I'd like to see some military style Halloween skins. For example, military camo with skulls all around it and a face mask with skeleton face (think Ghost from COD) stuff like that wouldn't bother me.
BF6 has a unique opportunity to be creative with their skins while still being firmly grounded in BF6. I don't want to see the same brown, green, and tan military skins over, and over again. Create different forms with different outfits and different colors but keep it militaristic and grounded. I think that's a recipe for proper creativity as well as keeping with the feel of Battlefield.
@BAMozzy Full Windows on the Next Xbox Would Be a Disaster
Let me be blunt: running full Windows 11 on the next Xbox would be the dumbest move Microsoft could possibly make. It would destroy everything that makes Xbox a console. It would introduce AWFUL fragmentation, cut into Microsoft’s profits, and alienate millions of players who chose Xbox because it’s not a PC.
Do I believe Xbox engineers are working closely with the Windows OS team? Absolutely. And I do think we’ll see more cohesion than ever? ABSOLUTELY! PCs playing Xbox games natively or through emulation, and Xbox consoles possibly supporting select PC titles the same way. That’s smart integration. But cohesion is not convergence. And I can’t stress this enough: Microsoft needs the Xbox console ecosystem to exist.
The Xbox ecosystem is driven by console first design. It’s where Microsoft profits from hardware sales, software sold through the Xbox Store, and Game Pass subscriptions. If they turned Xbox into a Windows 11 box, they’d open the door to third party storefronts like Steam, Epic, and GOG which essentially handing over their profits to competitors. That’s not just risky, it’s completely backwards. Putting third party stores on Xbox would be like opening a restaurant and letting other chefs sell food from your kitchen. You built the space, attracted the customers, and now you’re giving away the profits.
And let’s not forget the numbers. Over 35 million Game Pass subscribers. More than 40 million Series X|S consoles sold. Well over 100 million monthly active users across console, cloud, and PC. Microsoft has built an excellent ecosystem and that ecosystem would be shattered if they abandoned the console identity.
The whole point of a console is plug and play ease of use. You turn it on, launch a game, and you’re in. No drivers, no background processes, no clutter. That’s what makes consoles special. I genuinely can’t imagine Microsoft being short sighted enough to destroy that.
Xbox is a CONSOLE. It’s a platform. It's an ecosystem. It’s a promise. And it needs to stay that way.
@Banjo- I agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly! It will have more cohesion with Windows than EVER before HOWEVER it won't run full windows simple because that would destroy the point of an Xbox console.
the Next Xbox Won’t Run Full Windows and That’s a Good Thing!
There’s been some speculation lately about whether the next Xbox might run full Windows 11. As someone who’s been gaming on Xbox for years and owns a Series S, Series X, and a PS5, I can tell you right now, that would be a huge mistake. Consoles are built around plug and play simplicity. You turn it on, launch a game, and you’re in. No drivers, no background processes, no clutter. Full Windows would wreck that experience. It’s not just about the UI either, it’s about preserving the frictionless, optimized flow that makes console gaming what it is today.
Beyond usability, full Windows would introduce fragmentation. Right now, Xbox consoles offer a fixed hardware target, and that’s a developer’s dream. They can learn every nuance of the system (including OS) and optimize their games to run better over time. That’s why the Series X, even with Zen 2 and RDNA 2, still delivers visuals and performance that rival high end PCs running Zen 4 and RDNA 3. Developers squeeze every ounce of power out of the hardware because they know exactly what they’re working with. Windows would BREAK that pipeline and dilute the magic.
From a business standpoint, it makes even less sense. Microsoft profits from Xbox in three major ways: hardware sales, software sold through the Xbox Store, and Game Pass subscriptions. If they put FULL Windows on Xbox, they’d open the door to third party storefronts like Steam, Epic, and GOG. That would EAT into their own profits! (Putting third party stores on Xbox would be like opening a restaurant and letting other chefs sell their food from your kitchen!! you built the space, attracted the customers, but now you're handing over your customers and the profits).
Why would any company give up exclusive control of their storefront just to chase PC parity? Xbox is a closed ecosystem by design, and that’s what makes it sustainable.
Now, will the next Xbox have more cohesion with Windows than ever before? Absolutely. We’re already seeing it with Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and the Xbox app on PC. But cohesion doesn’t mean convergence. Xbox and PC will stay separate platforms, each with their own strengths, unified through services and SHARED libraries. That’s the brilliance of Xbox Play Anywhere! you get two optimized experiences, not one watered down compromise. And let’s be real, it’s called Xbox Play Anywhere for a reason. Xbox comes first. It's not PC play anywhere, it's XBOX Play Anywhere!
Finally, let’s not forget the importance of Xbox first party hardware. Microsoft has confirmed more handhelds are in development, and the Series S proved that entry level consoles have massive appeal! A hybrid handheld successor to the Series S makes PERFECT sense, but it still needs to be a CONSOLE. Not a PC. Not a Windows box. A CONSOLE. Because that’s what Xbox is, and that’s what millions of us signed up for. Happy gaming ✌️
@Banjo- couldn't agree more, Xbox truly is the most consumer friendly out of all the console ecosystems. Nowhere else can you buy a game and get a free copy to play on another platform (Xbox Play Anywhere)
I'm only interested in a 1st party Xbox handheld CONSOLE. I don't want a PC, I game on console because it's ease of use, plug and play nature. Xbox having a custom OS is part of the beauty of owning a console, I don't want a "full Windows" device. I personally own a Series X, a Series S, and a PS5. These consoles all serve my family and I in gaming, allowing us to easily meet up to play with friends and family. PC is great for people who want to play on PC but that's simply not me.
I am hoping we get the handheld Xbox Series S successor because that would literally be the best console ever for me personally lol happy gaming ✌️
@Seioni the truth is I would ABSOLUTELY love to get the Xbox Ally X, the problem for me is the price. I'm 32yo and have a small group of friends I play with and most of us are in their 30s and 40s. My group of friends are all console players. We all own Xbox Series consoles as well as PlayStation 5 consoles, however most of us spend most of our time on Xbox due to ecosystem and better party chats. Nobody in our group plays on PC, there's 2 guys that have laptops but they only play on them when they're away from home.
My wife and I each own a PS5, and I have a Series X while my wife runs the Series S. We have built extensive game libraries (again, most games we buy on Xbox however we do own PlayStation 5 exclusives but our libraries are mainly on Xbox).
That being said, the Xbox Ally X is cool BUT a large number of our Xbox games won't be playable. Yes, thankfully the Play Anywhere initiative has seen about 50% of our games have PC versions available at no extra cost HOWEVER it's not the same as having native Xbox game support. You'd be playing a PC port of the Xbox games you own. Again, that's cool but the cost is something I just couldn't afford unfortunately. I'd love to be an early adopted, shoot I'd be playing keeper on it right now lol (I had emergency surgery Monday afternoon and I'm in recovery mode where most my time is spent in bed) so the Xbox Ally X would be amazing right about now lolol.
In your situation I could see why it'd be a great console PC hybrid because it would allow you the versatility to play with your group of friends. That's a really cool bonus is being able to party up with friends on Xbox right on the handheld, I think that's cool as hell & the performance of the Xbox Ally X is good enough to actually run every game available on Xbox Series X|S so that's a massive win imo
I definitely enjoy the ID@Xbox indie showcase. I've played and beaten more indies in the last few years, than I ever had at any other time, mostly thanks to gamepass. indie games and especially AA games have really been great lately.
The Xbox Ally is woefully underpowered (you can get a WAY more powerful handheld PC for $599) and the Xbox Ally X is an over priced joke IMO. The device has the horsepower, battery life and overall specs to succeed HOWEVER it will ALWAYS remain a niche device. Even the most dedicated of gamers have a hard time justify a $1000 handheld PC when you can get a MUCH MORE POWERFUL gaming laptop for the same price, or even a dedicated gaming PC. I just don't feel like the Xbox Ally is a good measurement of player interest in handheld CONSOLES (not thousand dollar PC).
The Switch + Switch 2 show that gamers want a dedicated gaming handheld hybrid CONSOLE. This is why I'm excited for some of the recent leaks showing that a handheld hybrid CONSOLE is being planned for the Xbox Series S successor. In my mind it's a brilliant idea to make the Series S successor a hybrid handheld CONSOLE device. It can be played in handheld mode at 1080p and 120fps & in docked mode it could REALLY become the "entry level next gen console" for next generation.
We know about the AMD Magnus APU for the Series X successor, I've seen AMD leaks that suggested there's a lower TDP version that's being built for the Series S successor. I think the Series S successor would probably run between 15w-25w in a handheld mode & would possibly go up to 40w or 50w in a docked mode. Similar to how the Switch 2 is essentially a 1.8TFLOP (PS4 power) device in handheld mode that turns into a 3.8TFLOP device in docked mode (PS4 pro power) with obvious architecture gains that make the switch 2 punch above its weight.
I genuinely believe AMD Magnus APU that can be scaled up for a Series X successor and scaled down for a Series S successor is a brilliant idea that can probably offer remarkable performance per watts thanks to Zen 6 + Zen 6c + RDNA 5 + XDNA (dedicated NPU) architectures that results in massive gains & will allow next gen consoles to truly break free from computing limits.
I've read the dedicated NPU will offer 120 TOPS (AI power) at around 6 watts and will even have the ability to offer considerable TOPS at just 1w which I'm assuming is for a rest mode or something to that affect.
BELOW is a summary of the leaked AMD Magnus APU specs, if anyone is interested in the nitty gritty lol 😅
The rumored AMD Magnus APU powering the next-gen Xbox sounds like a monster in every sense. Built on a chiplet architecture, it reportedly pairs a 144 mm² SoC with a 264 mm² RDNA 5 GPU for a total die size of around 408 mm². The GPU is said to feature 68 Compute Units, 24 MB of L2 cache, and support for up to 48 GB of blazing-fast GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus. Its CPU combines Zen 6 and Zen 6c cores (3 performance + 8 efficiency) with 12 MB of L3 cache, offering a smart balance of power and efficiency. The standout, though, is the dedicated NPU—capable of 110 TOPS at just 6 W or 46 TOPS at 1.2 W, an incredible ratio that could supercharge AI-driven upscaling, latency reduction, and intelligent system features. With a TDP between 250 W and 350 W, the Magnus APU could represent the biggest generational leap in Xbox history, easily living up to its name.
Happy gaming ✌️
Had my copy pre-ordered shortly after the beta ended. The beta was pretty incredible considering it wasn't the final build of the game, and it proved that BF6 has a strong foundation & it took me back to the hyped up feelings I had for BF4 back in the day.
I got to play a little bit on launch day, and the day after but after that I had an emergency surgery that's left me pretty jacked up. I'm hoping that I can start moving around better in the next few days I can try to sit in a recliner and play on my Series X.
Right now I've just been playing Deep Rock Galactic Survivor via Xbox Cloud Gaming (it's so relaxing, so much fun & surprisingly deep when it comes to builds). Happy gaming ✌️
I thoroughly enjoyed Obsidian games over the years. Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic 2, Fallout New Vegas, South Park: The Stick of Truth, Pillars of Eternity, Grounded, The Outer Worlds, and Avowed have ALL been games that I've either beaten, or at least played thoroughly (Pillars of Eternity) and I've enjoyed every single one of them.
That being said, The Outer Worlds felt more like a AA production than it did a big AAA game. Yes it had open areas but everything just felt like it could've been more refined. For example, gun play could've been better, movement left more to be desired. But other than that, it was a good game with some fun side missions.
The Outer Worlds 2 looks like the game The Outer Worlds wanted to be but now with proper funding the DEVs can achieve their goals. The Outer Worlds 2 will be taking advantage of Unreal Engine 5 so that should boost fidelity, frame rates, and overall performance, PLUS they've actually had the time and budget to put together a PROPER sequel but not just a sequel a games that's being rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 and designed for CURRENT GEN CONSOLES ONLY which should mean we get a much cleaner, better looking, and better performance game.
I'm looking forward to The Outer Worlds 2! Happy gaming ✌️
@Kieduss agreed 💯 percent! I own games I've never played, that I really want to play (Assassin's Creed Mirage, Beyond Good and Evil remastered, & Star Wars Outlaws) but I get deep into other games to the point where I don't end up playing my back log at all I just keep playing whatever else I find intriguing.
It's actually funny now I'm 32, I've started playing through multiple games at once. For example, I beat Avowed and was playing through The Outer Worlds at the same time. I spent more time with Avowed, finished it first and then finished up The Outer Worlds as I was playing through Diablo 4 Vessels of Hatred. I've found I don't need to ONLY play one game til it's "done" I can enjoy multiple games at once, when I get tired of one thing I can pick up another and keep going, that way I don't get burned out of games I'm REALLY enjoying.
To my fellow Xbox enthusiasts who have crazy back catalogs, cheers and happy gaming ✌️
@Bimba Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is a game I definitely see myself playing through more than once. I'm still working on my first playthrough lol it's just a good game through and through. 👍
@dkxcalibur the gears of war trilogy is just too good not to revisit every once and a while, especially on Series X|S where the games get fps boosts and auto HDR
I enjoy replaying GTA 5 very 2 or 3 years, same goes for San Andreas, those are 2 classics I genuinely enjoy revisiting. I've played RDR2 a total of 3 times since release.
There's also series I'll go back and play though, BioShock 1, 2, and infinite I've beaten more than once each. Gears of War is an EXCELLENT trilogy that I adore and love going back to. Assassin's Creed Black Flag, Assassin's Creed Origins and my absolute favorite Assassin's Creed Odyssey I've beaten more than once. I still haven't beaten Valhalla yet, and I haven't even started on Mirage even though I own it.
So yeah there's definitely games I enjoy revisiting, and replaying. Happy gaming ✌️
Double Fine has never failed to impress me, this looks to be a smaller project (compared to the brillantly designed Psychnauts 2) so my expectations are in check. That being said, a walking lighthouse? Something good has to come from that right? lol right...?
I'm looking forward to Keeper as it looks incredibly unique and interesting. My most anticipated gamepass release for not just October but all of 2025 is The Outer Worlds 2, I absolutely adored the Original The Outer Worlds & I fully expect the sequel to be far more enjoyable due to bigger budget plus being built from the ground up for current gen consoles with Unreal Engine 5 means the game will look and run a quite a bit better than the original.
I'm also super excited the game will be introducing the ability to play entirely in 3rd person. So far October slaps hard as hell when it comes to game releases, which is perfect for me as I just had emergency surgery yesterday & will be bed ridden for 2 weeks and will be recovering for 6-8 weeks. .
Battlefield 6 gains a massive edge by dropping last gen consoles, allowing its developers to raise the baseline performance across the board. Without the bottlenecks of HDDs and outdated CPUs, BF6 can fully leverage SSD speeds, advanced physics, and dynamic asset streaming to deliver richer, more immersive environments. Its destructible maps are more complex and reactive, thanks to Frostbite’s engine being unshackled from legacy constraints.
Multiplayer benefits too, with higher server tick rates, smoother hit registration, and support for 120 FPS modes on current gen hardware. Larger lobbies, smarter AI, and hybrid PvPvE modes are now viable, enhancing both scale and tactical depth. The devs have confirmed that leaving last-gen behind was essential to achieving these breakthroughs. It simplifies crossplay, improves matchmaking consistency, and strengthens anti cheat systems by focusing on secure, modern platforms.
BF6 is designed from the ground up to embrace the full power of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, which is something I'm genuinely excited about. I'm looking forward to seeing what BF6 has to offer, especially the campaign as it looks amazing!
In contrast, Black Ops 7 remains tethered to last-gen consoles, and that decision forces compromises at every level. Asset streaming is limited by slow HDDs, which means smaller maps, fewer dynamic events, and longer load times. Server tick rates must be throttled to accommodate weaker CPUs, resulting in less responsive multiplayer and inconsistent hit registration. Innovative features like destructible environments, advanced AI, and seamless transitions are scaled down or removed entirely to maintain parity. Crossplay becomes a balancing nightmare, with input latency and performance gaps affecting matchmaking and competitive integrity. Even SSD benefits like instant respawns and fast travel are UNDERutilized to avoid giving next gen players an edge. (Which is just sad). Anti cheat systems are harder to implement on older hardware, leaving the ecosystem more vulnerable.
Ultimately, BO7 is designing for the lowest common denominator, which stifles innovation and holds the franchise back. If Call of Duty wants to compete with Battlefield 6 and push the genre forward, it must stop building for 2013 hardware and embrace the full potential of current-gen platforms.
As it sits, I am disappointed that we got BO7 right after BO6. I am also disappointed that we're now 5 years into current gen & COD is still releasing on last gen. I'd love to see a COD game released for current gen that shows an actual generational leap of what COD could be.
That being said, I've got BF6 preordered and I'm looking forward to jumping into a shooter that's fully embracing current gen tech. Happy gaming ✌️
For me it would have to have TMR analog sticks, hall effect triggers LT, RT, & micro switches for LB, RB, A, B, X, Y. It'd also need to have dedicated back buttons, wireless Xbox protocol, Bluetooth, and WiFi direct protocol to connect directly to cloud gaming servers (similar to the Amazon Luna controller & Google Stadia controller).
If Xbox can implement that into it's next Elite controller or even it's next gen controller then it'd be a day one buy for me.
Zombies is the ONE thing that kept me coming back to BO6 every time a new map dropped. Beating the map, finding easter eggs with friends is a blast and it's what I genuinely love about COD is that old school team up to take down the I dead!
The BO7 beta hasn't been bad TBH. I am frustrated with the weird removal of tac sprint but overall it feels very similar to BO6 but with wall jumps.
Zombies on the other hand feels different from BO6, I can't quite put my finger on it but it's different. Zombies feel great though, I am a bit disappointed that PHD slider is gone unless it's a perk augment you can get later I'm not sure. Overall BO7 will be another COD I play strictly for Zombies as I have zero interest in multiplayer (although I will say that CONSOLE ONLY cross play is a massive step in the right direction against cheaters).
I do think the direct sequels are BAD for the series. MW2 to MW3 was awful, Black Ops 6 to Black Ops 7 it just muddies the brand and makes the sub series less valuable.
The most irritating part is I genuinely believe Treyarc is the best dev out of all the ones who work on COD and this direct sequel has made it feel like their games aren't as good when in reality Black Ops 7 is somewhat of a miracle and just imagine what they could create if they were given a full 3 year dev cycle and didn't have to dumb down the engine to run on last gen consoles.
Yes, last gen holds games back. Black Ops 7 being held back by last gen consoles is a real concern. Slow HDDs limit asset streaming, forcing smaller maps and fewer dynamic events, while server tick rates are throttled to accommodate weaker CPUs, hurting hit registration and movement fidelity. Features like larger lobbies, advanced AI, and seamless transitions are scaled down to maintain parity, and anti-cheat systems are less effective on older hardware.
Even SSD benefits like instant respawns and fast travel are underused to avoid giving next gen players an edge (which is pretty pathetic). To truly evolve, Black Ops & COD as a whole needs to cut the cord and embrace the full potential of current-gen platforms. Until that happens, there really won't be any worthwhile upgrades unfortunately. Happy gaming ✌️
@Foxx_64740 I cancelled my PS+ subscription in order to make up the difference for Gamepass Ultimate. The only reason I still subbed to PS+ was to play Helldiver's 2 because I've been playing since day one on PlayStation but looking over everything I don't play enough to justify the subscription. Sure if there's a game I really want that's added to the PS+ essentially on a certain month I'll pay the $10 and add them to my account.
Now we only have Gamepass Ultimate, lowest Netflix, and HBO Max which is perfect for my wife and myself. The Gamepass Ultimate increase stings us pretty badly however since we game share, Gamepass Ultimate is still the best value in gaming for our family.
The $30 Game Pass Ultimate increase definitely stings, especially for my wife and me, since it’s how we play together and with friends. I still think it’s the best deal in gaming, but adding Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ instead of simply making it $25/month feels like a misstep. Or at the very least they should've spread the cost across Essentials, Premium and Ultimate instead of putting the brunt of the cost increase on Ultimate Subscribers. At this price, Xbox risks alienating the very people who helped make Game Pass successful.
That said, it’s unfair to paint Xbox as the sole villain here. Every platform is raising prices in a brutal economic climate. (Are we great again yet?) PlayStation hiked PS Plus without adding value, increased the cost of consoles, charges for cloud saves, and locks legacy backwards compatible content behind paywalls. By contrast, Xbox still delivers console, PC, cloud, Play Anywhere, cross-play, and four generations of backward compatibility under one ecosystem. It's still doing more for players than any other platform, when you realize Xbox offers cloud gaming on all tiers, Xbox Play Anywhere, and a catalog of games to play on every Gamepass tier.
Game Pass is NOT perfect, but it remains the most inclusive service in gaming. Microsoft does need to listen to feedback and avoid pushing loyal subscribers away, but let’s hold the whole industry accountable instead of piling only on Xbox.
I say this as someone who owns a PS5, an Xbox Series X, and whose wife owns both a PS5 and a Series S. I’m a gamer, NOT a fanboy. I’ll criticize decisions I disagree with (like this price increase), but I won’t join a hate bandwagon when Xbox is still doing more for players than most of the competition. Happy gaming ✌️
@Jenkinss ayy Helldiver's 2 is such a banger and REALLY hard to break away from lol in fact HD2 is the only reason I've been booting up my PS5 lately. Eventually I'll get it on Xbox too cuz it's just that good a game.
That being said Jump Space looks freaking amazing! I love the co-op nature of keeping the ship solid in fighting condition and then the fact you can dock places to run around with friends shooting and looting lol that's the cherry on top! Happy gaming ✌️
@Kaloudz agreed 💯 percent! I'm personally looking forward to Keeper, The Outer Worlds 2, and Ninja Gaiden 4. In all reality once The Outer Worlds 2 releases that's what'll be taking up most of my time lol although I do believe keeper is the type of game I can play on my phone via Xbox Cloud Gaming + my Gamesir X2S Type C mobile controller. Happy gaming ✌️
Xbox Gamepass Essentials blows PS+ essentials subscription out the water lol access to 50+ games, Xbox Play Anywhere for certain games you own and Xbox Cloud Gaming for certain games we own plus cloud gaming for titles within the 50 game catalog all for $9.99/month. The only reason I still subscribe to PS+ is so my wife can play certain games she enjoys with friends & I get to play Helldiver's 2.
Sorry I guess it just dawned on me how much more stuff you get on the lowest Gamepass tier compared to the lowest PlayStation plus tier. Happy gaming ✌️
I fully agree they should've been subsidized similar to how consoles are subsidized. As they sit they're way too expensive to be system sellers and the base Xbox Ally is woefully underpowered for its price considering you could get a OG ROG Ally with a Z1 extreme APU that would mop the floor with the base Xbox Ally for much less than $599.
All this being said, I genuinely hope that for next generation we get a Series S successor that's a hybrid handheld CONSOLE. I can't imagine Microsoft not wanting a Series S successor considering it makes up 49% of all Series X|S sold this far. I also take AMD and their leaked roadmaps to suggest it's more than plausible for there to be a hybrid handheld Xbox that utilizes a customized lower TDP version of the AMD Magnus APU (which is the rumored BEAST of an APU expected to power the Series X successor). Imagine an entry level next gen Series S successor that can be played on the go but also docked with boosted performance for it to fit the role of "entry level next gen" as the Series S did.
All I know is if Microsoft makes a handheld CONSOLE (not PC) that can play all my Xbox games, I will be there day one cash in hand lol. Happy gaming ✌️
@TrollOfWar of course it won't even come close to the same scrutiny as the ABK deal simply because it's not consolidation. The ABK deal saw Microsoft merge ABK into their studio portfolio. With this EA thing it's about transferring ownership. The biggest scrutiny will come from the committee on foreign investment because Saudi Arabia's PIF is involved, which could be viewed as a national security/geopolitical issue.
I personally don't trust PIF nor do I trust Affinity investment company, I'm not going to say much, just that history has shown that BOTH of these investment companies aren't in it for the "right reasons".
Lastly, I do worry about the cultural shift we may see as a direct result of this investment. EA is a cultural gaming entity with Madden, FIFA/FC, The Sims, Battlefield, and Apex Legends. Whoever owns EA will control a huge swath of global gaming culture and influence. Will these games remain as they were or will we see a shift in tones that align with the new owners?
This road map is absolutely stellar on so many levels! I'm super excited for the future of Xbox and these games are what I've been waiting for, it's nice to be an Xbox fan this generation lol we actually have GAMES to legitimately brag about! Forza Horizon 6, The Outer Worlds 2, Halo CE Remake, Clockwork Revolution, Marvel's Blade, Fable, The Elders Scrolls 6, State of Decay 3, and last but definitely NOT least Gears of War: E-Day! Damn, I just realized that the caliber of a lot of these games are S tier lol happy gaming ✌️
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Re: New Microsoft Survey Suggests Five AI Features That Could Be Added To Xbox Game Pass
I would absolutely use AI on my Xbox especially for walkthroughs or voice commands. I already use copilot daily for research and if Microsoft could weave copilot into Xbox is be fine with that HOWEVER it would NEED to be built-in as a UI level integration. I'd want it to be seamless, I'd want access to it just as easily as I can tap a button to take a screenshot, copilot (AI) integration would NEED to be just as seamless for me. I'm stuck looking for something in game, I tap a button, tell copilot what I'm looking for and it gives me exactly what I need, nothing more nothing less.
I can see AI integration making a UI more seamless, being ready to deep dive into anything you ask of it. While that's great and all, I am personally more interested in what a LLM could offer random NPCs in a game. Imagine an open world game where talking to different people actually warrants deep conversations (obviously there would be guardrails in place, plus the LLM would need to be altered to specifically speak in regards to the context of the world itself, you wouldn't be able to talk random nonsense, everything would be game + lore + world + quest related). It would be very interesting indeed, never hearing phrases repeatedly forever and instead the NPCs would speak on current events within the game world itself lol IDK in my head it sounds much cooler than it probably would be in practice lol.
Re: Avowed Is Getting Its 'Biggest Update Yet' To Mark The Xbox Title's One-Year Anniversary
@jesse_dylan I played Avowed 5 days before release and it had a few bugs but nothing game breaking, by the time the Day 1 patch released most of bugs were gone and by the time it got its second patch most of the stability and performance issues were fixed.
The game is a GOOD game, I feel like the people who hate on it either never played it OR they spent an hour with it and gave up. Once you start getting deeper into it's systems the game REALLY starts to shine. Combat and exploration are a blast!
Re: Avowed Is Getting Its 'Biggest Update Yet' To Mark The Xbox Title's One-Year Anniversary
@Shinato2024 I genuinely enjoyed the game myself as well, it didn't deserve a fraction of the hate it got. The story was intriguing, the characters were good, the lore was even better and the side quests involving your squad mates was some of the best of the entire game!
Re: Avowed Is Getting Its 'Biggest Update Yet' To Mark The Xbox Title's One-Year Anniversary
This is great news as I genuinely enjoyed Avowed from beginning to end! I'd love to experience new game plus and see what else the new update has to offer! I hope we get DLC or confirmation of a sequel because there's so much lore inhabiting the world just waiting to be explored.
Re: Talking Point: Will You Be Revisiting Red Dead Redemption On Xbox Next Week?
@Chip-Douglas couldn't agree more! RDR2 is absolutely stunning! I want a current generation remastered remake of RDR2 so bad lol think oblivion remastered but RDR2
Re: Xbox Game Pass: All Games Coming Soon In December 2025
@themightyant couldn't agree more. I'm still deep into The Outer Worlds 2, I recently completed DOOM: The Dark Ages, I may playthrough Avowed again, I've barely dipped my toes into Oblivion Remastered (I got a bug where my quest won't move forward and no matter what I do it won't fix it, the ONLY thing left is to start again and the 1st few hours of the game are so tedious lol), I still haven't touched Assassin's Creed Mirage (I own it so NBD), I also want to finish my playthrough Metaphor Refantazio, as well as a couple other games.
Re: Talking Point: Will You Be Revisiting Red Dead Redemption On Xbox Next Week?
I actually revisited RDR earlier this year and was surprised at how well the game looked on my Series X. The 4K upscaling is REALLY good, the only thing that bugged me was the 30fps lock but after a while you get used to it.
Now that there's a native Xbox Series version, I'm going to have to play it! The 4K resolution with full HDR support combined with 60fps means this classic is going to shine like never before and I can't wait to play it!
All that being said, I am absolutely DESPERATE for a RDR2 upgrade for Xbox Series X|S! I own RDR2 on PlayStation and Xbox & the Xbox version is the best console version of the game. Playing RDR2 on PS5 means it's running the PS4 pro version via backwards compatibility & it's got completely BROKEN HDR, the game is so dark and no matter what you change your TV settings too it just doesn't look good, also the upscaled 4K on the PS4 pro version adds this weird foggy like blur to the image, I don't know how to explain it but yeah.
RDR2 on Xbox Series X reverts to the Xbox One X version of the game & it actually looks good thanks to native 4K resolution combined with full HDR support that makes the game look as good as possible on console. HOWEVER, the 30fps is the one thing that makes the game not look as good as it possibly could (it's still one of the best looking games ever made).
I truly believe if we get a current generation upgrade for RDR2 with updated textures, native 4K resolution combined with 60fps, RDR2 will easily become one of the BEST looking games on current generation consoles. We know Rockstar was working on a current generation upgrade for RDR2 but "paused" development in order to "get all hands on deck for GTA 6". I'm hoping that while we're waiting for GTA 6 we get a RDR2 upgrade because that'd literally hold me over for quite some time lol (there's so much hidden things to do in RDR2 it still surprises me to this day).
Geez that was longer than I wanted my comment to be lol happy holidays, happy gaming ✌️
Re: NACON Is Kicking Off The Xbox Birthday Celebrations With This 360-Inspired Controller
Man that's one badass controller! They nailed that classic 2005 Xbox 360 launch era look for sure! I wish they'd make one that only had hall effect analog sticks and triggers + 2 mappable back buttons for like $50 because it's be a day one purchase for me!
lol at $200 I can't justify it especially when my Gamesir G7 HE has the same features minus the display & cost me just $50.
Re: This Xbox Game Studios Adventure Deserved More Nominations At The Game Awards 2025
I voted for South of Midnight for Games for impact. I'm genuinely surprised it wasn't nominated for best sound design or musical score, or even artistic vision or something like that. The game is really good if given a proper chance.
South of Midnight was something I wasn't sure I was going to try. My wife ended up beating it and told me it's an absolute gem, so I decided to give South of Midnight a go and I'm glad I did!
The Southern Gothic Folklore, magical realism, and stop motion artistry gave South of Midnight an extremely surreal vibe. It's not sime big open world but its unique world is very artistic and fun to explore.
The storyline was surprisingly DEEP as hell. It captured the emotions of characters, each struggling through their own life's choices. They way the game shows different characters lives through their lenses was really cool and very impactful.
The game did a GREAT job exploring the South haunted by it's history. The game acknowledges that the region’s beauty is inseparable from its painful past. Slavery, poverty, and generational trauma. These themes seep into the atmosphere, making the haunting feel intellectual rather than purely spectral. The gothic monsters and creatures are metaphors that embody cultural anxieties that turn folklore in allegory. (Unfortunately I've come across reviews written on the Microsoft store that are beyond disgusting, teeming with racism and bigotry. Condemning the game for having a female lead that's mixed race, which is a shame).
The ONLY downside to the game itself was the combat gets a little bit repetitive. Other than that, South of Midnight was a joy to play and I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested and open minded enough to enjoy a game like this. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Expedition 33 Wins GOTY As Xbox Takes Home Two Awards At The Golden Joysticks 2025
Expedition 33 was an incredible game, it took me a minute to get into it but once I did I was hooked. I voted it GoTY for The Game Awards today. Glad to see Oblivion Remastered get a win, also glad to see Xbox games being praised for their merit. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Helldivers 2 On Xbox Helped Us 'Give The Players What They Want', Says Arrowhead CEO
@Fiendish-Beaver I do believe Sony will publish their first party games across all platforms at some point (they're already confirmed that 1st party games will come to PC either at launch or about a year later, we've seen this with God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, and Spiderman 2). While IDK if we'll see 1st party PlayStation exclusives on Xbox ever, I do believe we will see more and more 2nd party times exclusives reaching Xbox. Square Enix themselves has been pretty vocal about their dismay with the performance of their games released solely on PlayStation & that from now on they plan on releasing across ALL platforms.
I think as time goes on and development costs continue to rise, it just makes the MOST sense to sell your games across as many platforms as possible. Spiderman 2 for example was absolutely spectacular of a game (I'm still sour we didn't get any DLC), but the cost it took to make the game and the money earned back from sales on PS5 weren't very good. (We know this to be true from the massive insomniac hack that detailed a bunch of behind the scenes stuff).
From my viewpoint exclusives really don't make sense in 2025 and beyond. Sony themselves even plans on becoming "more software focused" rather than hardware which tracks well because Microsoft has sold a fraction of the consoles yet makes just as much revenue (probably more now I'm sure) than all the other hardware manufacturers. What I'm saying isn't strictly just my opinion, there's a bunch of evidence that points to these being the trends the industry is moving towards & it makes sense.
Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Helldivers 2 On Xbox Helped Us 'Give The Players What They Want', Says Arrowhead CEO
Helldiver's 2 was the only reason I'd turn on my PS5 for all of 2024 lol now it's on Xbox the only reason I'll turn on my PS5 is if I end up getting Ghost of Yotei but I won't be buying it at full price, I'll be waiting for a discount of some sort.
Side note, I genuinely wish Helldiver's 2 had cross platform progression. I'm over 3 quarters of the way to platinum trophy and it'd be so cool for all my progress and ship upgrades to transfer over to Xbox. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Black Ops 7 Comparison Shows Difference Between Xbox Series X And Series S
I'm still surprised at how well some games look and run on my Xbox Series S! Games that are properly optimized for the Series S look incredibly good. Alan Wake 2, Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, The Outer Worlds 2, Stalker 2, Resident Evil Village and Dead Space Remake all look and run fantastically on Series S.
I play on Series X at home but when I'm away from home, it's my Xbox Series S that I take with me alongside my 17inch gaming monitor and it's the perfect portable setup for when gaming away from home (especially when I'm stuck at my in-laws house lol)
Re: Steam Machine Specs Revealed, Here's How They Compare To Xbox Series X|S
The Steam Box Mini is built for 4K living room gaming, hitting performance levels similar to PS5 thanks to its Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU. Even with fewer compute units in the GPU (28 vs PS5’s 36), it delivers slightly better TFLOPs at around 10.5 to 11.5 TFLOPS (vs the 10.28TFLOPS on PS5) thanks to higher clocks and architectural gains. It’s compact, efficient, and leverages FSR 3 with frame generation to push high res gaming without needing massive power. If devs start optimizing for it directly, it could become a legit console class experience with SOME PC flexibility. That's honestly, the REAL question, will DEVS target this device when making games?
If we look at the Series X for example (or even the PS5 for that matter) the Series X consistently punches above its weight because Microsoft built more than just raw specs. The 12TF RDNA2 GPU and Zen 2 CPU give it a solid foundation, but the real secret sauce is the DEV optimizations and DEV tools. With DirectX 12 Ultimate, Velocity Architecture, and features like Sampler Feedback Streaming, developers get "closer to the metal access" to CPU/GPU resources. That means less wasted cycles, smarter asset streaming, and better memory management. Combine that with powerful profiling tools and cross platform synergy with PC, and you’ve got a box that delivers performance well beyond what the spec sheet alone suggests.
If the Steam Box Mini can bring DEVS on board it may be the perfect little living room console. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Backbone Pro: Xbox Edition Announced, And It's Available To Buy Today
There's no way I'd pay $170 for a phone controller that has NO Hall Effect Analog sticks. I am currently utilizing the Gamesir X2S type C controller, it was $30 and has Hall Effect Analog sticks and hall effect triggers, the left and right bumper are clicky like a mouse & the D-pad is great. The ONLY downside is there's no back buttons but other than that it's been amazing.
The reason why Hall Effect Analog sticks with type-C are so important is because of the ZERO deadzone, low latency, and anti- stick drift. I previously had a Bluetooth mobile controller and Xbox Cloud Gaming was unplayable due to the latency caused by Bluetooth & alps sticks.
Once I got the Gamesir X2S type C controller with Hall Effect Analog sticks, I was genuinely shocked out how responsive Xbox Cloud Gaming had become. I couldn't race supercross on MX vs ATV legends due to latency, once I switched to the X2S I was running lap times that were closer to what I'd do on my Xbox Series X (obviously my Series X with my wired Gamesir G7 HE is creme de La creme lol).
Anyone looking for a cheap compact controller check out Gamesir, they just released a new controller for $35 that's even better than my X2S. I feel like the premium price tag of the backbone isn't worth it, not when you can get the Razer Kishi V3 for $99 that has full sized TMR thumb sticks + back buttons.
At the end of the day my little Gamesir X2S type C controller has allowed me to play some amazing games on the go. I'm currently obsessed with Halls of Torment, as well as deep rock galactic survivor.
Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Poll: A Few Weeks On, What Review Score Would You Give Keeper?
@Cakefish I definitely agree with your sentiment, the game doesn't offer much replay value but it REALLY is an expression of artistic vision. I doubt it'll be a game I revisit but nonetheless I am glad to have experienced it.
Re: Poll: A Few Weeks On, What Review Score Would You Give Keeper?
@Titntin you're going to enjoy it, especially if you go in with an open mind. It's beautiful on Series X and has some REALLY cool environments littered with environmental storytelling. Also, my wife and I are back on GPU because it's still cheaper than buying 2 copies of a game at a wack. (We also only subscribe when we find good deals).
Re: Poll: A Few Weeks On, What Review Score Would You Give Keeper?
@Sol4ris I also went with a 9. It definitely had a journey vibe to it, the environmental storytelling was great. The more I played the more I enjoyed the game.
Re: Poll: A Few Weeks On, What Review Score Would You Give Keeper?
I personally give the game a 9 out of 10. I purposely went into the game with an open mind, with absolutely ZERO expectations (what can you really expect from a sentient lighthouse lol). This allowed me to experience the game for all it had to offer without being bummed about things I wish it was or could've been.
I played Keeper upon returning home from having emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder. It was a whole ordeal that was a literal nightmare, so coming home being sore AF I didn't really want to do much. The first 3 days of being home I was stuck in bed so I just played Keeper via Xbox Cloud Gaming. When I was finally able to move to my Series X I was even more impressed with Keeper. For some reason the game just kept me entertained, it was like I was in a trance or something (the pain meds may or may not have contributed to this lol) but I genuinely enjoyed the game.
Exploration was the coolest part for me, especially the clouds and the seas, solving puzzles were fun too. It was just cool to experience the chill vibe keeper had on offer. IDK if it's something I'll playthrough again, like I have with other Double Fine games, but it was good nonetheless.
Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Here's What's Included In The Xbox October 2025 Update
The game hubs have really grown on me. They've offered me much better context of everything associated with a specific game. It's allowed me to find DLC I owned but didn't realize it wasn't installed (I'm looking at you The Witcher 3).
game hubs are also great for all my screenshots and videos associated with a specific game. That feature has been super helpful to me, opening a game hub and realizing, oh yeah I forgot I took that screenshot or I forgot to edit that clip.
Overall, I've definitely come to appreciate gamehubs. I've had them for a while now since I'm an Xbox insider currently enrolled in the Beta Preview Ring on my Xbox Series X. It's cool that people can turn the game hub features off if they want to but for me personally, I've found them more useful than not. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Xbox Announces 12 Titles Coming To Game Pass At October's Indie Showcase
I'm really excited for Sledding Game lol that just looks like a good time! Also, Day Z: Badlands has my attention. The game is already good so any extra content and updates to make it better are all good in my book.
Awaysis also looks like a wacky good time, especially since the campaign can be completed with friends thanks to 1-4 player co-op. Some of my favorite games of all time are games that can be beaten with friends. There's not enough games that feature campaign co-op IMO. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Microsoft Reportedly Still Has Plans To Make Its Own Xbox Handheld
The upcoming Xbox handheld with an Xbox Series S successor. It'll most likely be a hybrid device that can be docked (think Switch 2, Steam Deck, ROG Ally). My guess it'll serve as the "entry level next gen console" similar to what the Series S did.
This news makes me so happy! I'd love to own a 1st party Xbox handheld CONSOLE!
Re: Battlefield 6 Season 1 Brings Lots Of Free Content To Xbox, Starting This Month
@mikeangry agreed 💯 percent! I don't care if they get creative with gun skins and military skins HOWEVER if it goes cartoon style or we see other IP characters (Beavis and Butthead, Family Guy, Nicki Minaj etcetera) that's where it's just too much for me!
That being said, I'd like to see some military style Halloween skins. For example, military camo with skulls all around it and a face mask with skeleton face (think Ghost from COD) stuff like that wouldn't bother me.
BF6 has a unique opportunity to be creative with their skins while still being firmly grounded in BF6. I don't want to see the same brown, green, and tan military skins over, and over again. Create different forms with different outfits and different colors but keep it militaristic and grounded. I think that's a recipe for proper creativity as well as keeping with the feel of Battlefield.
Re: Poll: Are You More Interested In The ROG Xbox Ally Now That Reviews Are Out?
@BAMozzy Full Windows on the Next Xbox Would Be a Disaster
Let me be blunt: running full Windows 11 on the next Xbox would be the dumbest move Microsoft could possibly make. It would destroy everything that makes Xbox a console. It would introduce AWFUL fragmentation, cut into Microsoft’s profits, and alienate millions of players who chose Xbox because it’s not a PC.
Do I believe Xbox engineers are working closely with the Windows OS team? Absolutely. And I do think we’ll see more cohesion than ever? ABSOLUTELY! PCs playing Xbox games natively or through emulation, and Xbox consoles possibly supporting select PC titles the same way. That’s smart integration. But cohesion is not convergence. And I can’t stress this enough: Microsoft needs the Xbox console ecosystem to exist.
The Xbox ecosystem is driven by console first design. It’s where Microsoft profits from hardware sales, software sold through the Xbox Store, and Game Pass subscriptions. If they turned Xbox into a Windows 11 box, they’d open the door to third party storefronts like Steam, Epic, and GOG which essentially handing over their profits to competitors. That’s not just risky, it’s completely backwards. Putting third party stores on Xbox would be like opening a restaurant and letting other chefs sell food from your kitchen. You built the space, attracted the customers, and now you’re giving away the profits.
And let’s not forget the numbers. Over 35 million Game Pass subscribers. More than 40 million Series X|S consoles sold. Well over 100 million monthly active users across console, cloud, and PC. Microsoft has built an excellent ecosystem and that ecosystem would be shattered if they abandoned the console identity.
The whole point of a console is plug and play ease of use. You turn it on, launch a game, and you’re in. No drivers, no background processes, no clutter. That’s what makes consoles special. I genuinely can’t imagine Microsoft being short sighted enough to destroy that.
Xbox is a CONSOLE. It’s a platform. It's an ecosystem. It’s a promise. And it needs to stay that way.
Re: Poll: Are You More Interested In The ROG Xbox Ally Now That Reviews Are Out?
@Banjo- I agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly! It will have more cohesion with Windows than EVER before HOWEVER it won't run full windows simple because that would destroy the point of an Xbox console.
the Next Xbox Won’t Run Full Windows and That’s a Good Thing!
There’s been some speculation lately about whether the next Xbox might run full Windows 11. As someone who’s been gaming on Xbox for years and owns a Series S, Series X, and a PS5, I can tell you right now, that would be a huge mistake. Consoles are built around plug and play simplicity. You turn it on, launch a game, and you’re in. No drivers, no background processes, no clutter. Full Windows would wreck that experience. It’s not just about the UI either, it’s about preserving the frictionless, optimized flow that makes console gaming what it is today.
Beyond usability, full Windows would introduce fragmentation. Right now, Xbox consoles offer a fixed hardware target, and that’s a developer’s dream. They can learn every nuance of the system (including OS) and optimize their games to run better over time. That’s why the Series X, even with Zen 2 and RDNA 2, still delivers visuals and performance that rival high end PCs running Zen 4 and RDNA 3. Developers squeeze every ounce of power out of the hardware because they know exactly what they’re working with. Windows would BREAK that pipeline and dilute the magic.
From a business standpoint, it makes even less sense. Microsoft profits from Xbox in three major ways: hardware sales, software sold through the Xbox Store, and Game Pass subscriptions. If they put FULL Windows on Xbox, they’d open the door to third party storefronts like Steam, Epic, and GOG. That would EAT into their own profits! (Putting third party stores on Xbox would be like opening a restaurant and letting other chefs sell their food from your kitchen!! you built the space, attracted the customers, but now you're handing over your customers and the profits).
Why would any company give up exclusive control of their storefront just to chase PC parity? Xbox is a closed ecosystem by design, and that’s what makes it sustainable.
Now, will the next Xbox have more cohesion with Windows than ever before? Absolutely. We’re already seeing it with Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and the Xbox app on PC. But cohesion doesn’t mean convergence. Xbox and PC will stay separate platforms, each with their own strengths, unified through services and SHARED libraries. That’s the brilliance of Xbox Play Anywhere! you get two optimized experiences, not one watered down compromise. And let’s be real, it’s called Xbox Play Anywhere for a reason. Xbox comes first. It's not PC play anywhere, it's XBOX Play Anywhere!
Finally, let’s not forget the importance of Xbox first party hardware. Microsoft has confirmed more handhelds are in development, and the Series S proved that entry level consoles have massive appeal! A hybrid handheld successor to the Series S makes PERFECT sense, but it still needs to be a CONSOLE. Not a PC. Not a Windows box. A CONSOLE. Because that’s what Xbox is, and that’s what millions of us signed up for. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Poll: Are You More Interested In The ROG Xbox Ally Now That Reviews Are Out?
@Banjo- couldn't agree more, Xbox truly is the most consumer friendly out of all the console ecosystems. Nowhere else can you buy a game and get a free copy to play on another platform (Xbox Play Anywhere)
Re: Poll: Are You More Interested In The ROG Xbox Ally Now That Reviews Are Out?
I'm only interested in a 1st party Xbox handheld CONSOLE. I don't want a PC, I game on console because it's ease of use, plug and play nature. Xbox having a custom OS is part of the beauty of owning a console, I don't want a "full Windows" device. I personally own a Series X, a Series S, and a PS5. These consoles all serve my family and I in gaming, allowing us to easily meet up to play with friends and family. PC is great for people who want to play on PC but that's simply not me.
I am hoping we get the handheld Xbox Series S successor because that would literally be the best console ever for me personally lol happy gaming ✌️
Re: Xbox Says It 'Defines Success' By How Much Time Players Spend On The Platform
@Seioni the truth is I would ABSOLUTELY love to get the Xbox Ally X, the problem for me is the price. I'm 32yo and have a small group of friends I play with and most of us are in their 30s and 40s. My group of friends are all console players. We all own Xbox Series consoles as well as PlayStation 5 consoles, however most of us spend most of our time on Xbox due to ecosystem and better party chats. Nobody in our group plays on PC, there's 2 guys that have laptops but they only play on them when they're away from home.
My wife and I each own a PS5, and I have a Series X while my wife runs the Series S. We have built extensive game libraries (again, most games we buy on Xbox however we do own PlayStation 5 exclusives but our libraries are mainly on Xbox).
That being said, the Xbox Ally X is cool BUT a large number of our Xbox games won't be playable. Yes, thankfully the Play Anywhere initiative has seen about 50% of our games have PC versions available at no extra cost HOWEVER it's not the same as having native Xbox game support. You'd be playing a PC port of the Xbox games you own. Again, that's cool but the cost is something I just couldn't afford unfortunately. I'd love to be an early adopted, shoot I'd be playing keeper on it right now lol (I had emergency surgery Monday afternoon and I'm in recovery mode where most my time is spent in bed) so the Xbox Ally X would be amazing right about now lolol.
In your situation I could see why it'd be a great console PC hybrid because it would allow you the versatility to play with your group of friends. That's a really cool bonus is being able to party up with friends on Xbox right on the handheld, I think that's cool as hell & the performance of the Xbox Ally X is good enough to actually run every game available on Xbox Series X|S so that's a massive win imo
Re: Xbox Indie Showcase Announced For October 2025
I definitely enjoy the ID@Xbox indie showcase. I've played and beaten more indies in the last few years, than I ever had at any other time, mostly thanks to gamepass. indie games and especially AA games have really been great lately.
Re: Xbox Says It 'Defines Success' By How Much Time Players Spend On The Platform
The Xbox Ally is woefully underpowered (you can get a WAY more powerful handheld PC for $599) and the Xbox Ally X is an over priced joke IMO. The device has the horsepower, battery life and overall specs to succeed HOWEVER it will ALWAYS remain a niche device. Even the most dedicated of gamers have a hard time justify a $1000 handheld PC when you can get a MUCH MORE POWERFUL gaming laptop for the same price, or even a dedicated gaming PC. I just don't feel like the Xbox Ally is a good measurement of player interest in handheld CONSOLES (not thousand dollar PC).
The Switch + Switch 2 show that gamers want a dedicated gaming handheld hybrid CONSOLE. This is why I'm excited for some of the recent leaks showing that a handheld hybrid CONSOLE is being planned for the Xbox Series S successor. In my mind it's a brilliant idea to make the Series S successor a hybrid handheld CONSOLE device. It can be played in handheld mode at 1080p and 120fps & in docked mode it could REALLY become the "entry level next gen console" for next generation.
We know about the AMD Magnus APU for the Series X successor, I've seen AMD leaks that suggested there's a lower TDP version that's being built for the Series S successor. I think the Series S successor would probably run between 15w-25w in a handheld mode & would possibly go up to 40w or 50w in a docked mode. Similar to how the Switch 2 is essentially a 1.8TFLOP (PS4 power) device in handheld mode that turns into a 3.8TFLOP device in docked mode (PS4 pro power) with obvious architecture gains that make the switch 2 punch above its weight.
I genuinely believe AMD Magnus APU that can be scaled up for a Series X successor and scaled down for a Series S successor is a brilliant idea that can probably offer remarkable performance per watts thanks to Zen 6 + Zen 6c + RDNA 5 + XDNA (dedicated NPU) architectures that results in massive gains & will allow next gen consoles to truly break free from computing limits.
I've read the dedicated NPU will offer 120 TOPS (AI power) at around 6 watts and will even have the ability to offer considerable TOPS at just 1w which I'm assuming is for a rest mode or something to that affect.
BELOW is a summary of the leaked AMD Magnus APU specs, if anyone is interested in the nitty gritty lol 😅
The rumored AMD Magnus APU powering the next-gen Xbox sounds like a monster in every sense. Built on a chiplet architecture, it reportedly pairs a 144 mm² SoC with a 264 mm² RDNA 5 GPU for a total die size of around 408 mm². The GPU is said to feature 68 Compute Units, 24 MB of L2 cache, and support for up to 48 GB of blazing-fast GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus. Its CPU combines Zen 6 and Zen 6c cores (3 performance + 8 efficiency) with 12 MB of L3 cache, offering a smart balance of power and efficiency. The standout, though, is the dedicated NPU—capable of 110 TOPS at just 6 W or 46 TOPS at 1.2 W, an incredible ratio that could supercharge AI-driven upscaling, latency reduction, and intelligent system features. With a TDP between 250 W and 350 W, the Magnus APU could represent the biggest generational leap in Xbox history, easily living up to its name.
Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Report: Battlefield 6 Sells Over 6 Million Copies, And A Good Chunk Of Those Are On Xbox
Had my copy pre-ordered shortly after the beta ended. The beta was pretty incredible considering it wasn't the final build of the game, and it proved that BF6 has a strong foundation & it took me back to the hyped up feelings I had for BF4 back in the day.
I got to play a little bit on launch day, and the day after but after that I had an emergency surgery that's left me pretty jacked up. I'm hoping that I can start moving around better in the next few days I can try to sit in a recliner and play on my Series X.
Right now I've just been playing Deep Rock Galactic Survivor via Xbox Cloud Gaming (it's so relaxing, so much fun & surprisingly deep when it comes to builds). Happy gaming ✌️
Re: The Outer Worlds 2 Is Bringing 'Big Sequel Energy' To Xbox Game Pass This Month
I thoroughly enjoyed Obsidian games over the years. Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic 2, Fallout New Vegas, South Park: The Stick of Truth, Pillars of Eternity, Grounded, The Outer Worlds, and Avowed have ALL been games that I've either beaten, or at least played thoroughly (Pillars of Eternity) and I've enjoyed every single one of them.
That being said, The Outer Worlds felt more like a AA production than it did a big AAA game. Yes it had open areas but everything just felt like it could've been more refined. For example, gun play could've been better, movement left more to be desired. But other than that, it was a good game with some fun side missions.
The Outer Worlds 2 looks like the game The Outer Worlds wanted to be but now with proper funding the DEVs can achieve their goals. The Outer Worlds 2 will be taking advantage of Unreal Engine 5 so that should boost fidelity, frame rates, and overall performance, PLUS they've actually had the time and budget to put together a PROPER sequel but not just a sequel a games that's being rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 and designed for CURRENT GEN CONSOLES ONLY which should mean we get a much cleaner, better looking, and better performance game.
I'm looking forward to The Outer Worlds 2! Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Talking Point: How Often Do You Replay Games?
@Kieduss agreed 💯 percent! I own games I've never played, that I really want to play (Assassin's Creed Mirage, Beyond Good and Evil remastered, & Star Wars Outlaws) but I get deep into other games to the point where I don't end up playing my back log at all I just keep playing whatever else I find intriguing.
It's actually funny now I'm 32, I've started playing through multiple games at once. For example, I beat Avowed and was playing through The Outer Worlds at the same time. I spent more time with Avowed, finished it first and then finished up The Outer Worlds as I was playing through Diablo 4 Vessels of Hatred. I've found I don't need to ONLY play one game til it's "done" I can enjoy multiple games at once, when I get tired of one thing I can pick up another and keep going, that way I don't get burned out of games I'm REALLY enjoying.
To my fellow Xbox enthusiasts who have crazy back catalogs, cheers and happy gaming ✌️
Re: Talking Point: How Often Do You Replay Games?
@Bimba Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is a game I definitely see myself playing through more than once. I'm still working on my first playthrough lol it's just a good game through and through. 👍
Re: Talking Point: How Often Do You Replay Games?
@dkxcalibur the gears of war trilogy is just too good not to revisit every once and a while, especially on Series X|S where the games get fps boosts and auto HDR
Re: Talking Point: How Often Do You Replay Games?
I enjoy replaying GTA 5 very 2 or 3 years, same goes for San Andreas, those are 2 classics I genuinely enjoy revisiting. I've played RDR2 a total of 3 times since release.
There's also series I'll go back and play though, BioShock 1, 2, and infinite I've beaten more than once each. Gears of War is an EXCELLENT trilogy that I adore and love going back to. Assassin's Creed Black Flag, Assassin's Creed Origins and my absolute favorite Assassin's Creed Odyssey I've beaten more than once. I still haven't beaten Valhalla yet, and I haven't even started on Mirage even though I own it.
So yeah there's definitely games I enjoy revisiting, and replaying. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Keeper: Release Date, Launch Times & What To Expect From Xbox's Next First-Party Release
Double Fine has never failed to impress me, this looks to be a smaller project (compared to the brillantly designed Psychnauts 2) so my expectations are in check. That being said, a walking lighthouse? Something good has to come from that right? lol right...?
Re: These 12 Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (October 8-21)
I'm looking forward to Keeper as it looks incredibly unique and interesting. My most anticipated gamepass release for not just October but all of 2025 is The Outer Worlds 2, I absolutely adored the Original The Outer Worlds & I fully expect the sequel to be far more enjoyable due to bigger budget plus being built from the ground up for current gen consoles with Unreal Engine 5 means the game will look and run a quite a bit better than the original.
I'm also super excited the game will be introducing the ability to play entirely in 3rd person. So far October slaps hard as hell when it comes to game releases, which is perfect for me as I just had emergency surgery yesterday & will be bed ridden for 2 weeks and will be recovering for 6-8 weeks.
.
Re: Battlefield 6 Dev Explains Why It Isn't Following Black Ops 7 With Xbox One Version
Battlefield 6 gains a massive edge by dropping last gen consoles, allowing its developers to raise the baseline performance across the board. Without the bottlenecks of HDDs and outdated CPUs, BF6 can fully leverage SSD speeds, advanced physics, and dynamic asset streaming to deliver richer, more immersive environments. Its destructible maps are more complex and reactive, thanks to Frostbite’s engine being unshackled from legacy constraints.
Multiplayer benefits too, with higher server tick rates, smoother hit registration, and support for 120 FPS modes on current gen hardware. Larger lobbies, smarter AI, and hybrid PvPvE modes are now viable, enhancing both scale and tactical depth. The devs have confirmed that leaving last-gen behind was essential to achieving these breakthroughs. It simplifies crossplay, improves matchmaking consistency, and strengthens anti cheat systems by focusing on secure, modern platforms.
BF6 is designed from the ground up to embrace the full power of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, which is something I'm genuinely excited about. I'm looking forward to seeing what BF6 has to offer, especially the campaign as it looks amazing!
In contrast, Black Ops 7 remains tethered to last-gen consoles, and that decision forces compromises at every level. Asset streaming is limited by slow HDDs, which means smaller maps, fewer dynamic events, and longer load times. Server tick rates must be throttled to accommodate weaker CPUs, resulting in less responsive multiplayer and inconsistent hit registration. Innovative features like destructible environments, advanced AI, and seamless transitions are scaled down or removed entirely to maintain parity. Crossplay becomes a balancing nightmare, with input latency and performance gaps affecting matchmaking and competitive integrity. Even SSD benefits like instant respawns and fast travel are UNDERutilized to avoid giving next gen players an edge. (Which is just sad). Anti cheat systems are harder to implement on older hardware, leaving the ecosystem more vulnerable.
Ultimately, BO7 is designing for the lowest common denominator, which stifles innovation and holds the franchise back. If Call of Duty wants to compete with Battlefield 6 and push the genre forward, it must stop building for 2013 hardware and embrace the full potential of current-gen platforms.
As it sits, I am disappointed that we got BO7 right after BO6. I am also disappointed that we're now 5 years into current gen & COD is still releasing on last gen. I'd love to see a COD game released for current gen that shows an actual generational leap of what COD could be.
That being said, I've got BF6 preordered and I'm looking forward to jumping into a shooter that's fully embracing current gen tech. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Talking Point: Would You Still Buy An Elite Series 3 Controller For Xbox Series X|S?
For me it would have to have TMR analog sticks, hall effect triggers LT, RT, & micro switches for LB, RB, A, B, X, Y. It'd also need to have dedicated back buttons, wireless Xbox protocol, Bluetooth, and WiFi direct protocol to connect directly to cloud gaming servers (similar to the Amazon Luna controller & Google Stadia controller).
If Xbox can implement that into it's next Elite controller or even it's next gen controller then it'd be a day one buy for me.
Re: Black Ops 7 Beta Review (Xbox) - A Bit Of A Re-Skin, But Zombies Mode Shines
Zombies is the ONE thing that kept me coming back to BO6 every time a new map dropped. Beating the map, finding easter eggs with friends is a blast and it's what I genuinely love about COD is that old school team up to take down the I dead!
The BO7 beta hasn't been bad TBH. I am frustrated with the weird removal of tac sprint but overall it feels very similar to BO6 but with wall jumps.
Zombies on the other hand feels different from BO6, I can't quite put my finger on it but it's different. Zombies feel great though, I am a bit disappointed that PHD slider is gone unless it's a perk augment you can get later I'm not sure. Overall BO7 will be another COD I play strictly for Zombies as I have zero interest in multiplayer (although I will say that CONSOLE ONLY cross play is a massive step in the right direction against cheaters).
I do think the direct sequels are BAD for the series. MW2 to MW3 was awful, Black Ops 6 to Black Ops 7 it just muddies the brand and makes the sub series less valuable.
The most irritating part is I genuinely believe Treyarc is the best dev out of all the ones who work on COD and this direct sequel has made it feel like their games aren't as good when in reality Black Ops 7 is somewhat of a miracle and just imagine what they could create if they were given a full 3 year dev cycle and didn't have to dumb down the engine to run on last gen consoles.
Yes, last gen holds games back. Black Ops 7 being held back by last gen consoles is a real concern. Slow HDDs limit asset streaming, forcing smaller maps and fewer dynamic events, while server tick rates are throttled to accommodate weaker CPUs, hurting hit registration and movement fidelity. Features like larger lobbies, advanced AI, and seamless transitions are scaled down to maintain parity, and anti-cheat systems are less effective on older hardware.
Even SSD benefits like instant respawns and fast travel are underused to avoid giving next gen players an edge (which is pretty pathetic). To truly evolve, Black Ops & COD as a whole needs to cut the cord and embrace the full potential of current-gen platforms. Until that happens, there really won't be any worthwhile upgrades unfortunately. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Xbox Ditches Majority Of Its Game Pass DLC Discounts As Part Of Service Revamp
@Foxx_64740 I cancelled my PS+ subscription in order to make up the difference for Gamepass Ultimate. The only reason I still subbed to PS+ was to play Helldiver's 2 because I've been playing since day one on PlayStation but looking over everything I don't play enough to justify the subscription. Sure if there's a game I really want that's added to the PS+ essentially on a certain month I'll pay the $10 and add them to my account.
Now we only have Gamepass Ultimate, lowest Netflix, and HBO Max which is perfect for my wife and myself. The Gamepass Ultimate increase stings us pretty badly however since we game share, Gamepass Ultimate is still the best value in gaming for our family.
Re: Xbox Ditches Majority Of Its Game Pass DLC Discounts As Part Of Service Revamp
The $30 Game Pass Ultimate increase definitely stings, especially for my wife and me, since it’s how we play together and with friends. I still think it’s the best deal in gaming, but adding Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ instead of simply making it $25/month feels like a misstep. Or at the very least they should've spread the cost across Essentials, Premium and Ultimate instead of putting the brunt of the cost increase on Ultimate Subscribers. At this price, Xbox risks alienating the very people who helped make Game Pass successful.
That said, it’s unfair to paint Xbox as the sole villain here. Every platform is raising prices in a brutal economic climate. (Are we great again yet?) PlayStation hiked PS Plus without adding value, increased the cost of consoles, charges for cloud saves, and locks legacy backwards compatible content behind paywalls. By contrast, Xbox still delivers console, PC, cloud, Play Anywhere, cross-play, and four generations of backward compatibility under one ecosystem. It's still doing more for players than any other platform, when you realize Xbox offers cloud gaming on all tiers, Xbox Play Anywhere, and a catalog of games to play on every Gamepass tier.
Game Pass is NOT perfect, but it remains the most inclusive service in gaming. Microsoft does need to listen to feedback and avoid pushing loyal subscribers away, but let’s hold the whole industry accountable instead of piling only on Xbox.
I say this as someone who owns a PS5, an Xbox Series X, and whose wife owns both a PS5 and a Series S. I’m a gamer, NOT a fanboy. I’ll criticize decisions I disagree with (like this price increase), but I won’t join a hate bandwagon when Xbox is still doing more for players than most of the competition. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Jump Space Is Dominating The Xbox Charts Right Now, And There's A Good Reason For It
@Jenkinss ayy Helldiver's 2 is such a banger and REALLY hard to break away from lol in fact HD2 is the only reason I've been booting up my PS5 lately. Eventually I'll get it on Xbox too cuz it's just that good a game.
That being said Jump Space looks freaking amazing! I love the co-op nature of keeping the ship solid in fighting condition and then the fact you can dock places to run around with friends shooting and looting lol that's the cherry on top! Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Xbox Game Pass: All Games Coming Soon In October 2025
@Kaloudz agreed 💯 percent! I'm personally looking forward to Keeper, The Outer Worlds 2, and Ninja Gaiden 4. In all reality once The Outer Worlds 2 releases that's what'll be taking up most of my time lol although I do believe keeper is the type of game I can play on my phone via Xbox Cloud Gaming + my Gamesir X2S Type C mobile controller. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Xbox Game Pass Essential: Full List Of Games (October 2025 Update)
Xbox Gamepass Essentials blows PS+ essentials subscription out the water lol access to 50+ games, Xbox Play Anywhere for certain games you own and Xbox Cloud Gaming for certain games we own plus cloud gaming for titles within the 50 game catalog all for $9.99/month. The only reason I still subscribe to PS+ is so my wife can play certain games she enjoys with friends & I get to play Helldiver's 2.
Sorry I guess it just dawned on me how much more stuff you get on the lowest Gamepass tier compared to the lowest PlayStation plus tier. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: Rumour: Microsoft & ASUS Wanted To 'Further Subsidise' The Price Of The ROG Xbox Ally
I fully agree they should've been subsidized similar to how consoles are subsidized. As they sit they're way too expensive to be system sellers and the base Xbox Ally is woefully underpowered for its price considering you could get a OG ROG Ally with a Z1 extreme APU that would mop the floor with the base Xbox Ally for much less than $599.
All this being said, I genuinely hope that for next generation we get a Series S successor that's a hybrid handheld CONSOLE. I can't imagine Microsoft not wanting a Series S successor considering it makes up 49% of all Series X|S sold this far. I also take AMD and their leaked roadmaps to suggest it's more than plausible for there to be a hybrid handheld Xbox that utilizes a customized lower TDP version of the AMD Magnus APU (which is the rumored BEAST of an APU expected to power the Series X successor). Imagine an entry level next gen Series S successor that can be played on the go but also docked with boosted performance for it to fit the role of "entry level next gen" as the Series S did.
All I know is if Microsoft makes a handheld CONSOLE (not PC) that can play all my Xbox games, I will be there day one cash in hand lol. Happy gaming ✌️
Re: EA To Be Acquired By Consortium Of Investors For $55 Billion USD
@TrollOfWar of course it won't even come close to the same scrutiny as the ABK deal simply because it's not consolidation. The ABK deal saw Microsoft merge ABK into their studio portfolio. With this EA thing it's about transferring ownership. The biggest scrutiny will come from the committee on foreign investment because Saudi Arabia's PIF is involved, which could be viewed as a national security/geopolitical issue.
I personally don't trust PIF nor do I trust Affinity investment company, I'm not going to say much, just that history has shown that BOTH of these investment companies aren't in it for the "right reasons".
Lastly, I do worry about the cultural shift we may see as a direct result of this investment. EA is a cultural gaming entity with Madden, FIFA/FC, The Sims, Battlefield, and Apex Legends. Whoever owns EA will control a huge swath of global gaming culture and influence. Will these games remain as they were or will we see a shift in tones that align with the new owners?
Re: Here's A Look At The Updated Xbox Game Studios Roadmap From September 2025
@Ricky-Spanish which game are you speaking of ?
Re: Here's A Look At The Updated Xbox Game Studios Roadmap From September 2025
This road map is absolutely stellar on so many levels! I'm super excited for the future of Xbox and these games are what I've been waiting for, it's nice to be an Xbox fan this generation lol we actually have GAMES to legitimately brag about! Forza Horizon 6, The Outer Worlds 2, Halo CE Remake, Clockwork Revolution, Marvel's Blade, Fable, The Elders Scrolls 6, State of Decay 3, and last but definitely NOT least Gears of War: E-Day! Damn, I just realized that the caliber of a lot of these games are S tier lol happy gaming ✌️