Stocksy

User score here is 7.3…. And one of the first comments is about “review bombing” 😂

What’s the opposite of that???

The issue is Xbox are telling their studios they want games with live service elements that have multiplayer/co-op elements….. ironically the one game people wanted co-op - halo - didn’t have it.

I believe you have to let studios do what they want. With Xbox owning so many and with the gamepass model. Let these studios be free. Forget the service elements to hook people into subscriptions. Good games will do it more.

Us Xbox owners are constantly trying to hype up these games in the face of reviews like this because we are invested but seriously…… it’s hard work.

The VGC review was painful. They are big big big Xbox fans over there. It’s basically an Xbox fan site and the review reads honestly and like a 2/3 and he then gives it a 4 just to stay on brand. I feel for him.

I want this game to be a 4 out of 5 too. But it’s just not.

Xbox studios and whoever oversees all the content and joins it up for GPU calendar needs to take a time out and realise it’s not working. We went a year without an exclusive. We got a seriously compromised Halo. We’ve waited for the promised pipe line of hits and when the first big hyped game comes along it isn’t even close to delivering.

Stop the 4 player nonsense. Stop the always online nonsense. Stop the live service.

Get 4 or 5 banging solo player games out of the pipe line and then add in and sprinkle those games with the extras.

Your fans and subscribers will thank you.

You have the studios and the talent to do it.

Another day one game rushed and clogged up with live service style elements. To be fair we were warned. It’s a shame. We need a certified 8/9 on GPU very soon.

We know Forza will be. Forza Horizon was too. But I feel like a good solo player campaign needs to get 8/9 across the board.

After reading about a series of updates in the first few weeks to fix “issues” I’ve held off buying.

Really looking forward to this game but will wait for updates to be issued.

@Titntin I have to agree. I’ve especially struggled that the xenophobic comments against the U.K. have been allowed to stay here. Like the U.K. is a mess but so is everywhere. The CMAs decision shouldn’t be triggering the abuse it is.

I’ve said it from the start the focus should be games and not acquisitions and even gamers now seem more interested in discussing dividing and abusing each other.

So what you own a Playstation and I own a steam deck or whatever - let’s all be civil and discuss a love of gaming.

I own Xbox SX, ps5, oled Switch and steam deck.

The relentless defend “my console” narrative is pathetic.

This whole sorry affair has brought out the worst in so many and quite a few posters here I thought were nice people really aren’t. The bile they’ve posted is disgusting.

Also so many are still willing to die on a hill when they’ve been misinformed and don’t understand the topic.

Either way.

I look forward to games. Especially the massive pipe line of xbox games apparently coming…. Let’s hear more about them and not acquisitions all the time.

@Markatron84 this whole saga has brought out the worst in many. Especially in the last few days. Ridiculous overblown reactions on both sides. People really wanted COD for free and were so invested I’m actually quite shocked.

Ditto on the celebrations on the other side.

The xenophobic comments towards the U.K. have been OTT too.

Mixing comments would be a disaster.

I personally can’t wait for it all to be over whichever way it goes.

I won’t play COD if it’s free on my GPU or if I have to pay for it, I’d like more third party games and more competitive markets so that’s my only horse in the race and even then it’s a grey area on this deal with the Bobby stuff and the fact they already sleep on all their IPs.

It’s a mess.

@Kevw2006 exactly. If the deal was a clear cut as so many “experts” claimed - no way would Xbox be throwing 10 year deals like candy.

Their whole strategy has been one to try and push the deal through. These deals are now all sounding a bit silly.

@Sol4ris that made me lol.

A few on here a fully paid up members of the “project fear” everything is a conspiracy when they lose GBeebies style of life. I suspect our Nintendo themed friend might be Farage. Makes about as much sense.

A company working with Microsoft back Microsoft.

Hold the front page.

At least you can see the logic of what they say. It’ll make their offering better. Greed again.

Same as the nonsensical ramblings of some on here. “CMA is corrupt” - ok Trump.

Don’t like a result - call it fake and corrupt.

It’s sad people are like it.

@PsBoxSwitchOwner @Hamst88 yeah I used to think that poster was a sensible guy. He has embarrassed himself with his responses to this deal.

So many just seem blind to what was always going to be a complex deal.

As soon as Xbox started 10 year deals and taking adverts in tube trains trying to push the deal through I knew it was on the skids.

If it was a “clear” as so many made out they wouldn’t have bothered with any of that.

@Titntin lmao!!!!! Finally some light relief in all this.

So everyone that relentlessly mocked Sony on here for throwing their toys out the pram…. What’s this then?

This whole thing has left a bad taste in my mouth. Both Sony and Xbox and unfortunately many websites and posters online. The anger and ridiculousness posted during this saga.

Some of you should be ashamed.

@Sol4ris haha. I agree 100% with that.

@Widey85 it’s not just your experience Asda is now more expensive than Sainsbury’s and Tesco. In all reality the store should be empty. They are surviving on the fact people still believe Asda is cheap.

Yeah agreed. I’ve wanted them to focus on what they have for years. They don’t need to buy this IMHO they could use the money to really rocket launch what they already have.

So many brilliant “only on Xbox” games historically. They could be going hard like the used to.

I’d take a new Buffy game for a start. Back then a Buffy game being “only on Xbox” was big news.

I think buying this is all a bit dull and predictable. Also I want 3rd party left alone. More choice is good.

Xbox (Unlike Asda) don’t need activision to catch Sony. Not that they are in the same race really.

I think there is room for Nintendo, Xbox, Sony and now the steam deck.

Anyone know if anything removed? Anyone know what licenses had expired? Music? Products in game? Has it got real cars?

For years “experts” and Industry “insiders” said smoking was good for you……

It’s a bit boring seeing these clearly biased views. Just as boring as seeing the same on the other side saying it’ll destroy gaming.

It’s clearly not a great deal for gamers as it’ll mean less games. However it’ll mean no Bobby at Activision.

The deal has pros and cons it’s complex: it was never gonna be as smooth as the gaming media made out but let’s be fair gaming journalists are never gonna be nuanced business experts.

Xbox are not a charity and they are doing this deal for the good of gamers. That narrative is ridiculous.

I’m more in favour of the deal than I was but I still think 3rd IPs should be left 3rd party.

And all the pathetic CMA wanted to block this from the start. It’s a conspiracy against it is pathetic. Microsoft and its “hardcore” fans are sounding like trump and his supporters.

It’s a turn off.

The deal will still go through things like this are never smooth. Although I said Sainsbury’s and Asda would still go through and it didn’t.

Let the monkey see the nuts then….

I can’t wait for Forza the game I’ve most been excited about since the last Forza.

But other than that it’s been mucho hype and not much delivery really for my personal tastes. But gaming in general isn’t performing like it used to for me.

Indiana Jones can’t come quick enough….

The the nun to Indy….

@NEStalgia “sudden reversal from all indicators” where were you getting those indicators? The gaming media? They clearly had it wrong from the the start. I’m shocked so many “gaming experts” thought this deal would sail through and now why so many are emotional. The gaming media narrative from the start has been ridiculous on this.

The deal was always going to be problematic and the extent Xbox went to promote the deal was a signal they knew that.

The deal will still go through. Money talks.

Although I said that about Sainsbury’s and Asda and it died in the water.

The cloud aspect is the bit that seems most off for me which is why I think the deal will pass in the end.

@K1LLEGAL it’s been the only reason I don’t like the Activision and Bethesda deals…. The GPU model means Xbox will release 4/5 AAA games MAX a year. When you start listing all the IPs they would/do own it’s a VERY long wait between some. Especially when you consider COD will be yearly whatever they do

I’ve always said I’d rather pay and get more games/choice.

@FraserG haha. The deal will go through in the end I’m almost certain of that.

@Widey85 we are just as bad as everywhere else. Most of us don’t support the tories more of us didn’t vote for Brexit that did. It’s no excuse for xenophobia coz a bit of plastic isn’t gonna have a free game. I’m just not into it. It’s lazy for non brits to start abusing the U.K. we can abuse ourselves though. Lmao

Ah good more conspiracy theories and culture style wars created by rich dudes. Don’t buy into it.

@Markatron84 true that. I’d rather the deal go through than hear the nonsense and conspiracy theories from both sides. I’d like the whole topic to go away and just more solo player games get released. Whatever makes that happen

Can we cut down on the anti U.K. xenophobia comments please. Thanks.

@FraserG we wanna see the pic!! You are saying you cursed it?!?!? FRASER!!!!

Honestly take the passion and bias out of this deal and I’m shocked anyone thought it was gonna sail through. It was obviously bad for the industry on paper. The terrible behaviour of Activision aside. Which meant it’s better to be with Microsoft for sure.

Even as a GPU subscriber I felt the deal was going to struggle for sensible reasons.

I’m shocked it got blocked in the U.K. I thought it would be the other two that would be the issue.

I wasn’t a fan of the Bethesda deal for the same reason - I want more games and more choice not less. Xbox will only release so many in one calendar year. I don’t want to wait years for some of my fave IPs. I’d rather pay. I’m not greedy.

I suspect the deal will happen still as money talks.

I don’t understand why so many really beg for deals like this to happen though.

It’s not the same as your fave sports team signing a star player yet many act like it is.

The thing that worries me now is the activision gets a worse home. Which is entirely possible.

I’m ideal situation would be Activision wasnt run by scumbags and they could actually be a decent company on their own two feet.

Seems unlikely. I suspect deals will done and this will still happen. Either way people shouldn’t be so angry and worked up either way unless they or their relatives work for Activision. Those are the people I feel for right now.

Should be a another poll…

If we could trust people to be honest. Would you be buying this day one if it wasn’t on GPU. I suspect most would answer no.

The last time this was available was “the last game we did” is not the bold claim they think it is. Lol.

I love oval racing so I’m pleased. Not that I really understand what this content is. I avoid all the live service gunk they’ve clugged this game up with. If it’s adding some solo player circuit races to solo player - fantastic which is what the article makes it sound like - if not it’s more content that will vanish forever sooner rather than later.

I recently just got my teeth into storm island on 2 recently. I’d played it before but never threw myself into it, not sure why, it’s amazing, I’d go as far as to say the best DLC Forza has done, I missed out on Horizon 1 rally unfortunately, it’s such a shame storm island is lost forever as it’s really fantastic.

I had hoped the more recent Forzas would be future proofed but it seems the opposite.

The fast and furious stand-alone is also very very good.

The game pass model causes this. You often see people saying “I’m not buying will wait for gamepass” unless MS offer that sweet gamepass money more and more will skip. Greed from gamers has caused this issue and more and more it’ll get worse. Especially with so many clamouring for 3rd party companies to be swallowed up into the GPU calendar. Enjoy your wait for a new doom/fallout etc.

I’d rather pay and get the games I love.

It’s an embarrassment to be seen at number 10 with this current government. Deeply unpopular with voters and will be out and out for a long while when voters get the chance. Corrupt and useless no wonder they are inviting anyone that will come.

As if Microsoft need to “showcase” anything at this point. Number 10 after more freebies and accepting lobbying more like.

@Dezzy70 correct. We haven’t fully embraced the “American dream” yet. We had a good punt at the end of last year - and things like this could have been common place but luckily we said no. Taxing prizes is such a trickle down policy. Taking from the normos at every turn whilst allowing the rich to pay the least possible.

We do have to keep an eye on things like this mind you. They are never far away. Easy to bury a policy like this in a manifesto. It’s why politics is unfortunately important.

@NEStalgia they are from the picture mode though right? I’d imagine the actual racing won’t look anywhere like that and I’m ok with that.

In all reality it won’t touch Forza. Forza is a beast. However it’ll be day one for me and I’ll love it. I haven’t fully looked at all the details released yet, I saw it announced and then might have missed some stuff, hopefully not a crew 2 online only multiplayer Heavy affair and like Forza I can just enjoy in short bursts alone.

I just bought Dakar on steam deck as I read a lot of people complaining it was like need for speed and not a “sim” so I’m happy to dip into that. (Fairly low expectations still) but a rally style arcade game will do me.

This one will be day one if it’s not all MTX/live service nonsense.

I know Forza had loads of that but you can ignore all that it’s still amazing.

Played Forza H2 this week and that’s still one of the best racers of all time. All 5 of them are.

@Wheatly yet in games like battlefront 2 and avengers it’s all the reviews were about…. Both games no doubt you think “suck”

@stefan771 yes they should. Reviews should cover every aspect. People need informing what they are getting into to. Especially if the reviewers get content unlocked making it more enjoyable.

@carlos82 it resident evil 2 it cost like 5 quid didn’t it for the dlc? Ten max. This isn’t dlc it MT and it’s 80 plus quid to unlock it all. Not quite the same

It was scummy when crash team racing was ruined with MT and no one called it out. It became a horrible scummy grind fest.

If you add something like this AFTER reviews are in and after you’ve sold 4 million copies, you are a scumbag. All the “I’ve no problem with this.” Comments…. Haha. Honestly.

I’m waiting for a Ten year deal promising day one COD release with console parity to my toaster…..

Cmon Xbox. You guys are AMAZING… us mere mortal gamers are lucky you are on our side.

Let’s do this.

I never understood why everyone got so excited by the emulation on the Xbox. They were always going to end the party. It was a carrot to get people to buy the series S and now they’ve slammed the door.

Sony still get hammered for doing similar back with BC stuff. Removing the Linux stuff too.

I use steam deck for my emulation and I’d be gutted if they removed my an ability to do so.

I actually own all the games I emulate but that’s because I collect games.

To the person who said “why do people play old games and not new ones” because many style of games never get new games….

Ssx 3 has no games since even close to be like it.
Wave race GC ditto.
Burnout 3….
Buffy the video game…
Loads of classic monster jam games…
James Bond games…
Def Jam…

Not everyone plays 16 bit games and many of the ps2/GC era classic are simply not made any more.

I’d take most of those games over modern online monsters. Fun “arcade” style games don’t exist. When they do they are online only. Back then these games had hours and hours of solo player content. Many have never been close to being surpassed 3 gens on.

@cburg so if Sony get a worse version of cod or a later version or a buggy version Sony won’t be damaged? Because that is what he is saying. He is correct. Obviously.

As I say, no way do Xbox do that. They’ll want the Sony players money for the first few years at least. They’ll be hoping that even if both versions are the same the draw of a “free” version on GPU with “perks” will be enough to shift plenty of gamers over, which is to be fair also a good a solid strategy, so what he is saying is true, but it’s very doubtful xbox would do it, they’d have the power to though.

@Kaloudz genuinely that’s it. I think they’ve even announced some of the missing teams - are back. They had lost Juventus but I believe that is back. Premier league, european leagues etc all will be present. For years they didn’t have the champions league license but career/franchise/whatever you want to call it mode had a cup with the same structure and same teams but it was just called something similar: this will have a World Cup or a World Trophy or something just not a FIFA World Cup.

It’s bonkers that fifa thought they held any power. Ironically the fifa game won’t have most the real names or players as many of them are in exclusive deals with EA…. This new one that Fifa claim to be making.

@BBB the irony is the “Fifa” license is literally for the word fifa and the fifa World Cup. Not the teams, players or anything else. That license is held separately and EA still has it. So all the clubs players and balls etc will still be present.

Fifa seriously over played their hand.

@Sebatrox lol beat me to it by 22 seconds. I was typing it at the same time

It’s a rubbish name. It’s a rubbish logo.

EA Sports Football.

No need for the club at all. Makes no sense. They aren’t a club, the game isn’t a club.

I’m not a fan of Jim and I hope that Xbox wouldn’t do this…. But say what you want…. What he is actually saying is true.

If Sony got a last gen only version or whatever, or a non optimised version it would damage Sony forever:

Fact.

You just hope Xbox is above that.

Money talks sadly and the rich spoilt kid gets whatever he wants. He wants COD as his play thing and he has the money to make it happen.

The knock on effect of bethesda and activision no longer being third party hurts all of us gamers. Less games. So many IPs will be in a GPU calendar we will wait ages for the IPs will love. COD of course will come yearly.

Doom, Spyro, Wolfenstein, Crash and all the already dormant Xbox IPs are in the wilderness. The 4/5 game a year at best model on the GPU AAA calendar doesn’t have room for all these IPs.

So all the Xbox only crew clamouring for this. In reality you are getting some cheap old Activision games on game pass and a yearly COD. I’d rather pay and get new editions of games.

I say this as a GPU subscriber

@PhileasFragg yeah I do. I have a few controllers now and have plug and play for all of them. I hate AA requirement or that I have to pay more for plug and play but I like it’s future proof from battery issues that I don’t have with my ninty or Sony ones.

I’m preferring the special edition controllers to standard as I feel the plastic backs to standard ones are horrible. Both the Forza one and anniversary ones have much nicer textured backs. I’m hoping this is the same.

That is an awesome design and one of the best special editions I’ve seen. I’m English and know what it is. I’m flabbergasted people didn’t know.

Ha.

It’s a no from me. Sustainable design much better