Still overpriced IMO. I've purchased every COD game since they dethroned Medal of Honor, and I'm skipping this year. The campaign focus on co-op and inability to pause is a dealbreaker. I've liked the BO campaigns in the past, but they screwed up this one.
@Hawklord22 What was your favorite game for that system? Mine was Parsec! I wish TI would either put those games up for sale on the XBox/PS Stores or sell the rights to somebody who would. I know emulators for PC exist, but I'd love to play Parsec on my XBox and big screen TV.
This isn't new at all. As a kid in the early 90s we had a Chevy Van with a TV & VCR. The TV wasn't large (I'm almost positive it wasn't as large as the back seat screens on today's vehicles) but it was great on long trips! Conceivably, I think we could have connected our Super NES to it, but I don't recall even thinking about the possibilty...I'm not sure why.
For gaming on long trips, we had a Sega Game Gear. One GG for three kids. If you think there weren't wars over what we were going to watch on the VCR and who had control of the GG, you're wrong. Yes, there's more space in a large van, but there's also the ability to get out of your seat and beat up your brother or sister so you get the GG. 😂 Those fights I'm sure weren't any less of a distraction for my parents than today's kids fighting over this will be.
I've got a basic, aka "stupid" question, that I think I know the answer to, but I'm going to ask it anyway lol.
Is there any, perhaps not yet confirmed but pretty legit reporting, on whether there will be docking stations or any other officially supported way to connect any of the XBox branded handhelds to a TV? I think the answer is no.
I've also got a much less basic question lol. I know the Steam Deck 2 is probably still 2-3 years away at this point, but does anybody think Steam will work with Microsoft and officially support the XBox store on their next device?
I don't really have a need for a handheld gaming device. (The last one I played was the Sega Game Gear!) If Microsoft's not going to officially support a way to connect their handhelds to a TV, gamers like me would be much better off waiting for the next Steam Deck, and hoping they work out a deal with Microsoft and individual publishers to put console-specific games on their handheld.
I don't know if I'm in the minority among gamers though or not. From Microsoft and ROG's perspective, if my lack of a specific reason to spend this kind of $$ is still the "majority opinion" among gamers, that's a problem.
Microsoft might have learned the wrong lesson from the success of the Switch and Switch 2. As always, Nintendo's different. IMO part of the reason those two handhelds are so successful is they can be connected to a TV, and Nintendo's not cannibalizing sales of their own handheld by releasing a "traditional console" like the Wii or Gamecube.
I started gaming on a Texas Instruments PC hooked up to my parents TV...so I'm old lol.
The first demos for both games and other software I can remember came on CD every month with general PC-related magazines, and then mags like Nintendo Power or other gaming specific mags. It seems like demos are making something of a comeback after IMO largely disappearing from the industry for a while. I'm really happy to see this, and I hope developers who choose to release a demo of their game find that it's financially beneficial so it'll encourage other devs to do it for their game in the future.
Sadly, I don't know if we'll ever get back to the days of single player/story demos for AA or AAA games. IMO, both because publishers/devs really don't need to use them to generate sales, and because it seems like publishers/devs prefer "controlled environments" where they can make sure the player (gaming journalist) can't do anything that might "break" or expose flaws in their game before it's released.
I'd absolutely love more of both. At least I would if they pretend Youngblood never existed and don't double down on the mistakes of that game. Youngblood's the only Wolfenstein game I've ever disliked.
There's probably more stories to "mine" with the Germans. But since Wolfenstein doesn't claim to be a 100% accurate mil sim, I wonder if getting the Japanese or Italians into the game might be fun?
The only thing I don't like about this decision is Microsoft didn't give users advanced warning. No large corporation decides to, (voluntarily) completely shutdown a service they've offered for 20 years overnight. Microsoft and XBox management knew this was coming, and either Nudella or Phil *chose * not to give users advanced warning. It's not like they needed to give people six months advanced warning, just a week or two would have been sufficient IMO.
That said, I'd love to see the numbers on how many purchases were made, and how much users were spending on movies/TV this generation. I'd be willing to bet that the revenue just isn't worth it anymore.
This decision also just gives me a "vibe" that Microsoft's, very belatedly and somewhat halfheartedly trying to correct the mistakes of the XB1. Unfortunately, Mattrick's "living room console that also plays games and needs an always on connection" strategy and PR were so bad it put XBox hardware in a no win situation by the end of the XB1 generation.
Seriously though, I agree. There are multiple soulslike games that I've tried because the story looks really interesting and fun. Unfortunately, I'm just not good enough to progress very far before I give up in frustration.
Given how popular soulslike games are the past few years, I must be in the minority, but I just don't understand why the devs of most of these type of games don't give those of us who are playing for the story an "easy mode," while also giving gamers who are playing for the challenge of beating a difficult game the option to do that too. I don't want devs to "dumb down" the default settings and take away the enjoyment of gamers who really love beating "traditional soulslike," meaning a really difficult, game. I just want to be able to enjoy the game too.
I also don't understand why some gamers get all bent out of shape when a studio, like the one who created Lies of P, attempts to appeal to more people by adding new difficulty modes.
@Millionski I've owned an XBox since the 360. So I'm not exactly happy to completely disagree with you, but Microsoft did not have any realistic chance to make a comeback with the Series S/X at all. They knew it internally, and they eventually admitted it publicly. Doubling down would simply get more people laid off in the future.
Everybody's focused on what Microsoft did or failed to do with the X/S. Microsoft had already lost the hardware console sales "war" before this generation even started. Phil eventually said that publicly. By the time this generation started, the digital sales (including microtransactions) market had matured. Microsoft's XB1 "a living room box that also plays games" strategy botched things so badly, Sony not only had a large lead in console sales, but more importantly (per Phil), those PS4 console owners had built up pretty significant digital libraries. Microsoft knew the vast majority of them had zero intention of abandoning that digital content from day one of this generation. The PS4/XB1 generation was the last generation we were ever going to see large numbers of people switching from Microsoft to Sony or vice versa.
The chaotic messaging from Microsoft has been, and still is, about an internal "debate" that's been going on inside the company for years. The XBox hardware division has fought hard to stay alive. IMO, there were only two ways they were ever going to be fully successful in that effort:
One, if somehow somebody other than Nadella ended up running Microsoft, and that person wanted to/could fend off investors who haven't liked the $ spent on XBox and a lot of other hardware (Hololens, the Surface Book, etc.) Those investors have always believed Microsoft should be a consumer software company, not a consumer hardware company.
Two, if Microsoft somehow managed to be able to acquire AB and legally make their games like COD XBox exclusives. I think that was always a "hail mary," and Microsoft management knew it. They were going to try it simply because they didn't have a better option in the first place. Unsurprisingly, that plan didn't last long before they had to publicly commit to keeping COD and other AB games multiplatform in an effort to keep DOJ and the FTC from killing the acquisition. Even if they'd abandoned the effort to get AB, XBox hardware would still be in the position it's in. We'd just hopefully have not seen some of the layoffs we've seen.
I guess maybe it could be argued there was a third option, but I don't see it as realistic at all: Convince gamers to buy both a PS5 and a Series X/S. They'd be in second place, but they'd theoretically make enough money to satisfy Microsoft investors. Although, I'm not really sure there is "enough money" to ever truly satisfy investors.
I really am excited for this game. I've loved everything I've seen about it. Hopefully it'll be as good as advertised and maybe become the first game in a franchise. I especially like how they've captured the 1930s art style while creating their own characters and not simply licensed Disney characters.
Comments 11
Re: Black Ops 7 Gets Its First Xbox Discount Two Weeks After Launch, But You'll Have To Be Quick
Still overpriced IMO. I've purchased every COD game since they dethroned Medal of Honor, and I'm skipping this year. The campaign focus on co-op and inability to pause is a dealbreaker. I've liked the BO campaigns in the past, but they screwed up this one.
Re: Xbox Demo Fest Now Live, 40+ Games Available To Play For Free
@Hawklord22 What was your favorite game for that system? Mine was Parsec! I wish TI would either put those games up for sale on the XBox/PS Stores or sell the rights to somebody who would. I know emulators for PC exist, but I'd love to play Parsec on my XBox and big screen TV.
Re: Start Your Engines! Xbox Cloud Gaming Is Coming To A Car Near You
This isn't new at all. As a kid in the early 90s we had a Chevy Van with a TV & VCR. The TV wasn't large (I'm almost positive it wasn't as large as the back seat screens on today's vehicles) but it was great on long trips! Conceivably, I think we could have connected our Super NES to it, but I don't recall even thinking about the possibilty...I'm not sure why.
For gaming on long trips, we had a Sega Game Gear. One GG for three kids. If you think there weren't wars over what we were going to watch on the VCR and who had control of the GG, you're wrong. Yes, there's more space in a large van, but there's also the ability to get out of your seat and beat up your brother or sister so you get the GG. 😂 Those fights I'm sure weren't any less of a distraction for my parents than today's kids fighting over this will be.
Re: Xbox's New Handheld UI Has Officially Been Announced For The Lenovo Legion Go 2
I've got a basic, aka "stupid" question, that I think I know the answer to, but I'm going to ask it anyway lol.
Is there any, perhaps not yet confirmed but pretty legit reporting, on whether there will be docking stations or any other officially supported way to connect any of the XBox branded handhelds to a TV? I think the answer is no.
I've also got a much less basic question lol. I know the Steam Deck 2 is probably still 2-3 years away at this point, but does anybody think Steam will work with Microsoft and officially support the XBox store on their next device?
I don't really have a need for a handheld gaming device. (The last one I played was the Sega Game Gear!) If Microsoft's not going to officially support a way to connect their handhelds to a TV, gamers like me would be much better off waiting for the next Steam Deck, and hoping they work out a deal with Microsoft and individual publishers to put console-specific games on their handheld.
I don't know if I'm in the minority among gamers though or not. From Microsoft and ROG's perspective, if my lack of a specific reason to spend this kind of $$ is still the "majority opinion" among gamers, that's a problem.
Microsoft might have learned the wrong lesson from the success of the Switch and Switch 2. As always, Nintendo's different. IMO part of the reason those two handhelds are so successful is they can be connected to a TV, and Nintendo's not cannibalizing sales of their own handheld by releasing a "traditional console" like the Wii or Gamecube.
Re: Xbox Demo Fest Now Live, 40+ Games Available To Play For Free
I started gaming on a Texas Instruments PC hooked up to my parents TV...so I'm old lol.
The first demos for both games and other software I can remember came on CD every month with general PC-related magazines, and then mags like Nintendo Power or other gaming specific mags. It seems like demos are making something of a comeback after IMO largely disappearing from the industry for a while. I'm really happy to see this, and I hope developers who choose to release a demo of their game find that it's financially beneficial so it'll encourage other devs to do it for their game in the future.
Sadly, I don't know if we'll ever get back to the days of single player/story demos for AA or AAA games. IMO, both because publishers/devs really don't need to use them to generate sales, and because it seems like publishers/devs prefer "controlled environments" where they can make sure the player (gaming journalist) can't do anything that might "break" or expose flaws in their game before it's released.
Re: Indiana Jones Team Confirms Multiple Games In Development, 'Excited' For Its Future
I'd absolutely love more of both. At least I would if they pretend Youngblood never existed and don't double down on the mistakes of that game. Youngblood's the only Wolfenstein game I've ever disliked.
There's probably more stories to "mine" with the Germans. But since Wolfenstein doesn't claim to be a 100% accurate mil sim, I wonder if getting the Japanese or Italians into the game might be fun?
Re: Microsoft Movies & TV Is Officially Ending, Which Will Have A Big Impact On Xbox
@Recaffinator Why is this such a bad move? It's not like Microsoft's the only company to do this. Sony did it years ago,
Re: Microsoft Movies & TV Is Officially Ending, Which Will Have A Big Impact On Xbox
The only thing I don't like about this decision is Microsoft didn't give users advanced warning. No large corporation decides to, (voluntarily) completely shutdown a service they've offered for 20 years overnight. Microsoft and XBox management knew this was coming, and either Nudella or Phil *chose * not to give users advanced warning. It's not like they needed to give people six months advanced warning, just a week or two would have been sufficient IMO.
That said, I'd love to see the numbers on how many purchases were made, and how much users were spending on movies/TV this generation. I'd be willing to bet that the revenue just isn't worth it anymore.
This decision also just gives me a "vibe" that Microsoft's, very belatedly and somewhat halfheartedly trying to correct the mistakes of the XB1. Unfortunately, Mattrick's "living room console that also plays games and needs an always on connection" strategy and PR were so bad it put XBox hardware in a no win situation by the end of the XB1 generation.
Re: Three Games Are Available This Week With Xbox Game Pass (July 22-24)
Hey, I resemble that remark! 🤣
Seriously though, I agree. There are multiple soulslike games that I've tried because the story looks really interesting and fun. Unfortunately, I'm just not good enough to progress very far before I give up in frustration.
Given how popular soulslike games are the past few years, I must be in the minority, but I just don't understand why the devs of most of these type of games don't give those of us who are playing for the story an "easy mode," while also giving gamers who are playing for the challenge of beating a difficult game the option to do that too. I don't want devs to "dumb down" the default settings and take away the enjoyment of gamers who really love beating "traditional soulslike," meaning a really difficult, game. I just want to be able to enjoy the game too.
I also don't understand why some gamers get all bent out of shape when a studio, like the one who created Lies of P, attempts to appeal to more people by adding new difficulty modes.
Re: Xbox Hardware Isn't Dead But 'Big Changes' Are Coming, Says Digital Foundry
@Millionski I've owned an XBox since the 360. So I'm not exactly happy to completely disagree with you, but Microsoft did not have any realistic chance to make a comeback with the Series S/X at all. They knew it internally, and they eventually admitted it publicly. Doubling down would simply get more people laid off in the future.
Everybody's focused on what Microsoft did or failed to do with the X/S. Microsoft had already lost the hardware console sales "war" before this generation even started. Phil eventually said that publicly. By the time this generation started, the digital sales (including microtransactions) market had matured. Microsoft's XB1 "a living room box that also plays games" strategy botched things so badly, Sony not only had a large lead in console sales, but more importantly (per Phil), those PS4 console owners had built up pretty significant digital libraries. Microsoft knew the vast majority of them had zero intention of abandoning that digital content from day one of this generation. The PS4/XB1 generation was the last generation we were ever going to see large numbers of people switching from Microsoft to Sony or vice versa.
The chaotic messaging from Microsoft has been, and still is, about an internal "debate" that's been going on inside the company for years. The XBox hardware division has fought hard to stay alive. IMO, there were only two ways they were ever going to be fully successful in that effort:
One, if somehow somebody other than Nadella ended up running Microsoft, and that person wanted to/could fend off investors who haven't liked the $ spent on XBox and a lot of other hardware (Hololens, the Surface Book, etc.) Those investors have always believed Microsoft should be a consumer software company, not a consumer hardware company.
Two, if Microsoft somehow managed to be able to acquire AB and legally make their games like COD XBox exclusives. I think that was always a "hail mary," and Microsoft management knew it. They were going to try it simply because they didn't have a better option in the first place. Unsurprisingly, that plan didn't last long before they had to publicly commit to keeping COD and other AB games multiplatform in an effort to keep DOJ and the FTC from killing the acquisition. Even if they'd abandoned the effort to get AB, XBox hardware would still be in the position it's in. We'd just hopefully have not seen some of the layoffs we've seen.
I guess maybe it could be argued there was a third option, but I don't see it as realistic at all: Convince gamers to buy both a PS5 and a Series X/S. They'd be in second place, but they'd theoretically make enough money to satisfy Microsoft investors. Although, I'm not really sure there is "enough money" to ever truly satisfy investors.
Re: Mouse: P.I. For Hire Dev Claims Upcoming Shooter 'Is Not Just A Fancy Art Project'
I really am excited for this game. I've loved everything I've seen about it. Hopefully it'll be as good as advertised and maybe become the first game in a franchise. I especially like how they've captured the 1930s art style while creating their own characters and not simply licensed Disney characters.