I’m confused as to why this is news. Sorry if I frustrate anyone, but aren’t all Microsoft studio games supposed to come to GamePass day one? So why would it be news that this is?
Anyway, I’ll likely give it a whirl with my daughter, but she’s not much into Minecraft anymore. So it’ll likely not last long with the little buggers patience.
@Bleachedsmiles Careful what you say, last time I suggested things like this for how I get me and my families GP for £1 a month, I got told I must be using sites that use stolen credit cards.
You know, because people apparently don’t understand markets have different pricing structures in place and exchange rates are a thing.
Anyway, thanks for sticking around and being a fellow VPN or cheap purchase member! Haha.
You’d swear some of these people work for Microsoft’s legal team sometimes.
Stay safe anyway, and happy gaming! I’m off to pre load Scorn!
I mean if I were a corporation, then I would try and relate myself to something a little less likely to contribute towards obesity and diabetes, and you know, like a Mars corporation.
I mean, it’s a giggle, in the same way a high school joke is.
@InterceptorAlpha Yeah I totally get that, I played Ark the first one that is, when it was sort of released but not on Steam. Thought it had potential, then no one I knew mentioned playing it so I just got involved in other games since.
I’d like to see what this upcoming one has to offer, but then I just wish if it’s good all the success to it, I mean at least it’s different and that appeals to me. But what seems to be talked about and sold so well is what we’ve had time and time again.
I know I’ll give it a shot anyway, and hopefully it does well!
I just hope that in years to come people will still be able to play the multi-platform and multiplayer games of their choice, on their platform of choice. Would be nice if the platform features not the grabbing of multi platform games was the draw to one brand or another.
As for defending one brand or another, last time I checked I didn’t have significant shares in either company, so I don’t have a horse in the race financially.
I just wish for choice to remain an option with regards to long standing multi-platform games. That’s all.
As for anyone defending Microsoft or Sony to the back teeth, probably best to leave that to people paid to do so. As neither company will even know when any of us pass away, so best to keep out of this corporate jostling.
@Tharsman I’d strongly suggest you travel to some of these countries and purchase games, like how I used to get cheaper N64 games from France.
It really is the case that when buying on the pound I can buy on a foreign currency far cheaper.
All I’m doing is evading various tax and currency loopholes.
You can tell yourself I’m not all you want, but just remember Microsoft themselves, just like Amazon, Apple, Sony etc - all hire people do the same on a corporate level.
I mean if we really didn’t want to fund unscrupulousness then we wouldn’t buy electronics made with in part forced labour - yet here we are.
Everyone has a high horse they like to ride in some part, I would just rather save money and buy through companies still registered through Companies House, yet give what I save to people in need. Friends, family, bloke down the street who needs a meal.
I mean I remember a time where I’d save hundreds of pounds by paying for £80 return flight to Spain, only to come back with a load of video games and so forth.
I do the same with Blu-ray 4K discs that are region free too.
I’ll support corporations more when they support their entire supply chain and areas of business more. Through investing in the people, communities and so forth.
Not everything cheaper is stolen.
Shame I can’t say the same about a PS5 that I bought last year from the Game store that came up stolen, yet cost a scalpers price and even came with a “warranty”.
@Widey85 Haha! Yeah, it’s crazy to me that I just keep doing it and getting all these games. I mean I don’t know how it’s profitable. As I don’t know anyone that pays full price in my family and friends circle, but love that it is.
Obviously I want all the companies to succeed, otherwise gamers won’t!
I don’t blame them for making a sequel, as they’ve likely learned quite a bit regarding the first release, mainly that idiots will defend their practices and then also fund said behaviour in the droves.
I found it quite a fun game on Stadia where I played it at the time, but I wouldn’t say it grabbed me like I was hoping. It felt rather dead behind the eyes, like very two dimensional in its actual structure somehow. I don’t know quite how to describe it.
But each to their own and all that, but yes, if I made the kind of money they did, of what was essentially a massive failure of a launch and bad PR, I’d release another too.
As for their Witcher series my friends will no doubt love that, and the other IP we know nothing about, so I guess wait and see.
Or just buy a Turkish or Greek cd key and activate via a VPN on the Microsoft redemption site. As in literally buy from a reputable provider there and boom, done. I’ve just got COD and that cost me 38 pounds and something pence. Instead of £69.
No brainer really in this economy.
But of course, also likely to head to GamePass/EA Play as already mentioned above for this particular title.
I’ll give the remake a go, but the originals I still have such fond memories of, so I’m not sure I’ll find much of a desire to push forward, I will try though!
@Tharsman Oh absolutely, I don’t know anyone in my personal life that doesn’t use them. Like how the CDkeys website is owned by a Saudi person yet claims to be British. Not so much when I check their UK filings under Companies House.
But sadly, myself and others are going to pay the price that’s competitive and not the one directly advertised.
I judge myself daily for it, but then as I say, I don’t know anyone that doesn’t use this method in my immediate circle.
I mean hell, I even made a few grand myself selling codes bought in those means before I shut my eBay down due to refunds people made on PayPal.
I’ll happily pay the full price, but not when I can easily simply not do so. The Turkish and Greek keys for example are simply usually keys that are bought at their exchange rate, so by default I save given the currency I buy in at.
With Stadia going, which was actually used in our household, and consolidation of all these brands year after year in the industry, I don’t see any of this as a good thing for my family as customers/consumers down the line.
Stadia brought 4K HDR streaming with little lag to our household, I’m told by blinded Xbox elitism that I’m supposed to be happy with Xcloud as an alternative, a service with ridiculous lag, 1080p at a push, and pixelisation that makes a torrented film from early 2000’s look 4K.
That, and now the bloody games are turning into a subscription model. I just don’t believe everything being on anyone’s service or all split helps us.
We have either everything on one service, and they can do and charge what they wish, or, have numerous services competing for our wallets to the point it’s not realistic.
I just want gaming to be what it used to be, like the film and TV industry of yesteryear.
As for this deal, I’ll play some Activision games like I always have, on the device that I prefer at that time. I just wish it wasn’t now being used as a childish way of defending one over another.
This deal going through doesn’t help me personally, it helps shareholders and the Xbox brand, same if it went the PlayStation direction instead etc.
I’m just sat here confused as to why this deal is positive for anyone who plays games, as it apparently won’t change a thing. Like yes, we may get games added to a service that isn’t profitable seeing as I pay £0.50-£1 for it a month, but other than that, it changes nothing for me as a gamer. So why does anyone outside of shareholders cheer it on?
Yes, Sony doesn’t want it to go through, but neither would I if I were Sony. It’s all just going the way of TV and film whereby to actually watch everything I need to subscribe to 15 different companies.
Hands down the best Cloud Gaming platform I’ve ever used. My daughter playing Destiny 2 in 4K and HDR on that is mind blowing - when compared to say Sony or Microsoft’s offering.
Granted, we are on 1GB fibre, but even with said fibre, Sony and Microsoft haven’t been close in their offering technology wise.
A lot of people took the piss, and still do, with Stadia, but from my experience, it’s been ahead of its time, but certainly not lacking when compared to the alternatives.
Relying solely on cloud technology right now simply isn’t a good business model, hence Sony and Microsoft aren’t. However, if Xcloud can get anywhere close to the quality given from Stadia I’ll be impressed.
I mean OnLive was good too at times, but I think that’s when I was about one out of five in the UK to be using their servers. 😂
Me and my partner sold our PS5 recently, and got 3 second hand mint condition Series S consoles. Now our daughter has one in the bedroom, we have one in the bedroom, and one for the living room.
It costs about £0.70-£1.00 for GamePass Ultimate a month on each, so around £3 a month.
So it’s just a no brainier for us, yes, non-native 4K on the one 4K TV we have doesn’t look quite as sharp, but we also don’t sit really close so to be fair, it’s barely noticeable most of the time.
It’s just such a strange concept, that for the price of one console sold second hand, with a failing controller and a clunky sounding disc drive, we got three consoles that don’t display in the same fidelity as that one, but it’s certainly not far enough off to really care about.
All I’m saying is, I’m glad developers are putting some effort in, as it’s clearly the gem Microsoft need console wise.
We do plan on getting a Series X for main 4K TV in the living room in time, but that’s only mainly due to watching 4K Blu-ray content.
So yeah, it’s a bit odd really. Never thought I’d say this, but I’m genuinely enjoying a more economical and less fancy setup. The value of the Series S is insane.
Even the ray tracing in Fortnite and the textures match when my daughter played on PS5, just not the resolution. Which again, when not sat up close and with upscale doesn’t look bad at all.
@Richnj Just dropped by to state how well said some of your points are.
I was going to comment, but you pretty much echoed my thoughts.
Anyway, let’s all just stop and demand more from our entertainment, no matter who they cast.
I mean Splinter Cell, as most will know is based on Tom Clancy work, which as many shall know, is dull, trite, repetitive and very predictable at best.
So whilst many keep stating they don’t know what Ubisoft could do to modernise it, I do, demand more from gaming and storylines, if all we are getting is the dull story with great gameplay of Splinter Cell, then why even bother.
It’s like how I can respect the original James Bond films, but my gosh are they dated in the language and terms they use.
So just like Bond films, times change, and so do the expectations of gamers.
Modern audiences can also just simply mean a more cognitively demanding audience, one that expects games to really push storytelling not push it aside.
It doesn’t have to mean we are all going to Pride march a spy down Oxford Street and have to reassign our characters gender for an achievement or trophy.
Because as we all know people of colour, along with people within the LGBTQ community can not become anyone of power or respectful. So God forbid we show a black and gay spy.
So, to end, just because Tom Clancy didn’t write about people within those communities being a part of various public services, doesn’t mean they aren’t. So where’s the harm in including them occasionally?
Oh, and just a side note, I can be a “Fortnite lover” and enjoy dull and repetitive Tom Clancy spy games.
This franchise has a chance, but for anyone who has recently played it, it’s like comparing the Mission Impossible TV show to the films, it’s just worlds apart from what people would expect now.
A 10? Wow, apparently the Deathloop I played on the PS5 before we sold it was better than I remember, by a landslide. I'll encourage the missus to play it on GamePass and see what she thinks. It's all just personal opinions of course, but I don't even remember it being that great. 7-8 maybe. Ah well, I guess it's as good as some of the best games ever made in gaming history.
And just to note, I look forward to when or if Halo can grab me one day, but it needs a massive overhaul. Maybe this is the beginning of the end or the beginning of something I can get my hands on and feel excited again.
Haven’t played Halo since Halo 2, but always given them a chance each time and just haven’t meshed with them somehow.
I think the colour scheme needs a massive rethink for a start, as my eyes just get bored, playing this latest iteration it just felt no different to the original somehow. Which I understand would be good and bad depending on who’s playing of course.
Since playing Destiny 1 and 2 regularly, it’s kind of filled that hole in my mind I once had, what with the same style of gun play and pacing.
Plus it has colours that don’t look like my HDR TV is on its way out. 😂
Seen third party ones on AliExpress for between £7-£10. They work with the X and S and seem absolutely fine for the job. Turns out my friend uses one after I suggested it to him, and he loves it.
So I may take a leap myself on one seeing how cheap the third party ones are.
I just wish I knew my friend used one and I’d gotten one earlier. I assumed there wasn’t a third party option still available.
I believe owning nothing and having subpar experiences that witness disconnections and lag are what companies want, obviously, as it’s getting rid of the console equitation.
However, saying we have next to no jitter, incredibly low ping to most data centres, and 1GB broadband, we still don’t find it anywhere close to console service in our household.
GamePass streaming along with Sony’s offering is by far the worst, as in, we have a superior connection compared to what is likely the majority of their subscribers, yet it’s still 1080p at best, and that 1080p image isn’t resolved remotely well.
As there’s very clear and visible pixel breakdown on anything other than a mobile sized screen.
The delay is also a significant problem in say an FPS or anything for that matter that requires well timed movements. Not to mention even in games that aren’t movement heavy, the brain trying to adjust constantly gives me a headache.
Granted, it’s not the worst experience, but it’s far from anything close to having the console a few feet away.
Rendering the frames quick enough, and resolving them in a decent enough quality clearly isn’t what Xcloud backend is capable of doing reliably to everyone yet.
As with all services, it’s going to depend on where the data centre is, just as much as one’s home connection. So clearly the data centre near the midlands in the UK is non existent, or oversupplying.
Compare this to Stadia, I had my daughter up and running in seconds quicker than Xcloud, it displayed Destiny 2 in 4K and HDR, and 60FPS.
Not only that, I had a go and couldn’t even notice a delay for all but about 5 seconds out of over 2 hours worth of gameplay.
It looked and played better than the Xbox Series S we have. So yeah, that was astounding.
So clearly Google have both far superior technology. Plus likely a data centre a lot closer or easier hogged with traffic.
I mean Stadia pushed 4 times the resolution, 60 frames a second and high dynamic range information, all without my noticing a lag.
So, when people say Cloud gaming is the future, that’s fine, if I get to own games, as I don’t currently in a Cloud ecosystem. Then if that is assured, Xbox can’t provide what Google already is.
So if anyone is the future of cloud gaming, it sure as ***** ain’t going to be Xbox. Not when they’re already this far behind.
But then Stadia doesn’t have the brand awareness, and will likely die off as we all suspect.
At which point, I’ll wait for another company to come along that knows a whole lot more about what players expect from cloud gaming. As Xbox doesn’t have a clue.
I can’t wait to be proven wrong by them, I like their brand, but the cloud ain’t even close to console gaming yet … unless you use Stadia and it already is ahead of one Xbox console in performance anyway.
@SplooshDmg I’ve just this week discovered it! With all the millions of users (mainly children), it really would be so beneficial for more teachers to use it. My partner says she wants to mention it at the school meeting she attends.
The potential to keep kids entertained whilst teaching is huge. Thanks for the heads up though, the more it’s on my mind the better!
So, if Microsoft were being transparent, which they’re not (like every large corporation), it is likely just simply to be the case they want to play the waiting game.
As in, they currently don’t have the market leading share, not by a long shot depending on which market is being looked at.
Thus, it makes sense they don’t wish to confirm that CoD won’t be on other platforms in a set timeframe, because they frankly don’t know where Xbox as a brand will be saturation wise by that timeframe.
This way, it means they can keep extending their ever so generous offers to publish a multi-platform franchise on everything it appears now, until it becomes financially acceptable to not do so.
To put myself in their shoes, I wouldn’t confirm when it’s leaving other platforms either, because it would then set in stone the publics perception, along with allowing other to monopolise on such announcement.
I mean to be frank, the money they make from micro transactions on the Sony platforms if they own the brand and the deal goes through, is worth a lot, a lot to be giving up if they don’t have the install base to make up for it.
@Richnj Absolutely agreed. My daughter adores things like this, nothing better for her than interactive learning.
I mean just imagine if all these nuggets of information primary and high schools teach in between the bigger aspects were included in say Minecraft etc.
I’m a tad confused, so these people have accessed a mode of the game illegally am I to believe?
Then being celebrated for doing something they could easily have done in Unreal, Unity, Cinema 4D, Maya and so on without obtaining a version of the game they don’t have the right to?
Like yeah, they’ve made assets look like a 25-30 year old CG film, well done, but you know, how about doing that in actual 3D packages.
Just all seems a bit odd. Though I must admit it’s nice to see a version of Halo in 2022 that doesn’t look the same as the original Xbox version I played.
Comments 85
Re: Minecraft Legends Is Coming To Xbox Game Pass In Spring 2023
I’m confused as to why this is news. Sorry if I frustrate anyone, but aren’t all Microsoft studio games supposed to come to GamePass day one? So why would it be news that this is?
Anyway, I’ll likely give it a whirl with my daughter, but she’s not much into Minecraft anymore. So it’ll likely not last long with the little buggers patience.
Re: Everything You Need To Know About Scorn On Xbox Game Pass
@Bleachedsmiles Careful what you say, last time I suggested things like this for how I get me and my families GP for £1 a month, I got told I must be using sites that use stolen credit cards.
You know, because people apparently don’t understand markets have different pricing structures in place and exchange rates are a thing.
Anyway, thanks for sticking around and being a fellow VPN or cheap purchase member! Haha.
You’d swear some of these people work for Microsoft’s legal team sometimes.
Stay safe anyway, and happy gaming! I’m off to pre load Scorn!
Re: Random: Xbox Goes Viral With 'Masterful Tweet' About Social Media Trolls
I mean if I were a corporation, then I would try and relate myself to something a little less likely to contribute towards obesity and diabetes, and you know, like a Mars corporation.
I mean, it’s a giggle, in the same way a high school joke is.
Re: 'Ark' Dev Document Reveals How Long The Series Will Remain On Xbox Game Pass
@InterceptorAlpha Yeah I totally get that, I played Ark the first one that is, when it was sort of released but not on Steam. Thought it had potential, then no one I knew mentioned playing it so I just got involved in other games since.
I’d like to see what this upcoming one has to offer, but then I just wish if it’s good all the success to it, I mean at least it’s different and that appeals to me. But what seems to be talked about and sold so well is what we’ve had time and time again.
I know I’ll give it a shot anyway, and hopefully it does well!
Re: 'Ark' Dev Document Reveals How Long The Series Will Remain On Xbox Game Pass
I genuinely haven’t ever met anyone who’s talking about playing ARK, after trying the initial Steam Alpha/Beta etc.
I guess more people are interested in it than the gaming media have had me believe.
Good luck to the devs, good for all those involved to have some security.
Re: Xbox Argues With UK Regulator Over Activision Blizzard Deal
I just hope that in years to come people will still be able to play the multi-platform and multiplayer games of their choice, on their platform of choice. Would be nice if the platform features not the grabbing of multi platform games was the draw to one brand or another.
As for defending one brand or another, last time I checked I didn’t have significant shares in either company, so I don’t have a horse in the race financially.
I just wish for choice to remain an option with regards to long standing multi-platform games. That’s all.
As for anyone defending Microsoft or Sony to the back teeth, probably best to leave that to people paid to do so. As neither company will even know when any of us pass away, so best to keep out of this corporate jostling.
Re: Apple Music Now Available On Xbox, Allows Background Playback
Fantastic news, when wanting to chill out in some games this will make it easier as we have Apple Family subscription thingy.
More choice for the win!
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Making Billions In Revenue Each Year, Suggests Report
@Gamingforlife New account share trick? Eh? Yeah, I don’t even know what that means.
And of course Microsoft knows what codes I’m entering you bloody buffoon. What a stupid statement.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Making Billions In Revenue Each Year, Suggests Report
@Tharsman I’d strongly suggest you travel to some of these countries and purchase games, like how I used to get cheaper N64 games from France.
It really is the case that when buying on the pound I can buy on a foreign currency far cheaper.
All I’m doing is evading various tax and currency loopholes.
You can tell yourself I’m not all you want, but just remember Microsoft themselves, just like Amazon, Apple, Sony etc - all hire people do the same on a corporate level.
I mean if we really didn’t want to fund unscrupulousness then we wouldn’t buy electronics made with in part forced labour - yet here we are.
Everyone has a high horse they like to ride in some part, I would just rather save money and buy through companies still registered through Companies House, yet give what I save to people in need. Friends, family, bloke down the street who needs a meal.
I mean I remember a time where I’d save hundreds of pounds by paying for £80 return flight to Spain, only to come back with a load of video games and so forth.
I do the same with Blu-ray 4K discs that are region free too.
I’ll support corporations more when they support their entire supply chain and areas of business more. Through investing in the people, communities and so forth.
Not everything cheaper is stolen.
Shame I can’t say the same about a PS5 that I bought last year from the Game store that came up stolen, yet cost a scalpers price and even came with a “warranty”.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Making Billions In Revenue Each Year, Suggests Report
@UltimateOtaku91 Oh I just go to Kinguin, Gamvio and the like, search for 1 Month GamePass Ultimate (non stackable).
Then purchase for anywhere between £0.50-£1 ish, then as long as I let my GamePass expire by a few minutes each month, just redeem the code!
So yeah, do it for my daughters, partners, mine, then friends and family do it too.
I mean even people on eBay sell them codes they’ve just purchased from Kinguin etc for a few quid each. So yeah, easy enough!
Don’t won’t to post any links here, but if you need any further help give me a shout.
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Making Billions In Revenue Each Year, Suggests Report
@Widey85 Haha! Yeah, it’s crazy to me that I just keep doing it and getting all these games. I mean I don’t know how it’s profitable. As I don’t know anyone that pays full price in my family and friends circle, but love that it is.
Obviously I want all the companies to succeed, otherwise gamers won’t!
Also thank you for your payments! 😂
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Making Billions In Revenue Each Year, Suggests Report
I guess my £1 a month is more than enough profit for them to keep paying all the developers.
If they could let me know the name of their account that fudges the numbers that would be great.
As at £12 a year, I don’t believe I’d be contributing enough to make an Indy game never mind anything else.
Hey ho, their loss I guess! Bring on repeated £12 GamePass years. Haha.
Re: CD Projekt RED Is Working On A Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel, And A New IP
I don’t blame them for making a sequel, as they’ve likely learned quite a bit regarding the first release, mainly that idiots will defend their practices and then also fund said behaviour in the droves.
I found it quite a fun game on Stadia where I played it at the time, but I wouldn’t say it grabbed me like I was hoping. It felt rather dead behind the eyes, like very two dimensional in its actual structure somehow. I don’t know quite how to describe it.
But each to their own and all that, but yes, if I made the kind of money they did, of what was essentially a massive failure of a launch and bad PR, I’d release another too.
As for their Witcher series my friends will no doubt love that, and the other IP we know nothing about, so I guess wait and see.
Re: The New Dead Space Is $70, But It's Cheaper With Xbox Game Pass
Or just buy a Turkish or Greek cd key and activate via a VPN on the Microsoft redemption site. As in literally buy from a reputable provider there and boom, done. I’ve just got COD and that cost me 38 pounds and something pence. Instead of £69.
No brainer really in this economy.
But of course, also likely to head to GamePass/EA Play as already mentioned above for this particular title.
I’ll give the remake a go, but the originals I still have such fond memories of, so I’m not sure I’ll find much of a desire to push forward, I will try though!
Re: Rumour: Jim Ryan 'Flew To Brussels' To Voice Concerns Over Xbox's ActiBlizz Deal
@Tharsman Oh absolutely, I don’t know anyone in my personal life that doesn’t use them. Like how the CDkeys website is owned by a Saudi person yet claims to be British. Not so much when I check their UK filings under Companies House.
But sadly, myself and others are going to pay the price that’s competitive and not the one directly advertised.
I judge myself daily for it, but then as I say, I don’t know anyone that doesn’t use this method in my immediate circle.
I mean hell, I even made a few grand myself selling codes bought in those means before I shut my eBay down due to refunds people made on PayPal.
I’ll happily pay the full price, but not when I can easily simply not do so. The Turkish and Greek keys for example are simply usually keys that are bought at their exchange rate, so by default I save given the currency I buy in at.
Re: Rumour: Jim Ryan 'Flew To Brussels' To Voice Concerns Over Xbox's ActiBlizz Deal
@Tharsman Actually, I pay for the digital code/key each month via various key websites such as Kinguin, Gamvio and so forth.
Have done for months now. You just let your GamePass expire for an hour or so, then chuck in a key that’s about £1-£1.50 after tax.
Same as I always buy Turkish or Greek game codes, activate with a VPN and they work every single time.
Re: Rumour: Jim Ryan 'Flew To Brussels' To Voice Concerns Over Xbox's ActiBlizz Deal
With Stadia going, which was actually used in our household, and consolidation of all these brands year after year in the industry, I don’t see any of this as a good thing for my family as customers/consumers down the line.
Stadia brought 4K HDR streaming with little lag to our household, I’m told by blinded Xbox elitism that I’m supposed to be happy with Xcloud as an alternative, a service with ridiculous lag, 1080p at a push, and pixelisation that makes a torrented film from early 2000’s look 4K.
That, and now the bloody games are turning into a subscription model. I just don’t believe everything being on anyone’s service or all split helps us.
We have either everything on one service, and they can do and charge what they wish, or, have numerous services competing for our wallets to the point it’s not realistic.
I just want gaming to be what it used to be, like the film and TV industry of yesteryear.
As for this deal, I’ll play some Activision games like I always have, on the device that I prefer at that time. I just wish it wasn’t now being used as a childish way of defending one over another.
This deal going through doesn’t help me personally, it helps shareholders and the Xbox brand, same if it went the PlayStation direction instead etc.
I’m just sat here confused as to why this deal is positive for anyone who plays games, as it apparently won’t change a thing. Like yes, we may get games added to a service that isn’t profitable seeing as I pay £0.50-£1 for it a month, but other than that, it changes nothing for me as a gamer. So why does anyone outside of shareholders cheer it on?
Yes, Sony doesn’t want it to go through, but neither would I if I were Sony. It’s all just going the way of TV and film whereby to actually watch everything I need to subscribe to 15 different companies.
Re: Google Stadia Is Shutting Down, Which Is Good News For Xbox
Hands down the best Cloud Gaming platform I’ve ever used. My daughter playing Destiny 2 in 4K and HDR on that is mind blowing - when compared to say Sony or Microsoft’s offering.
Granted, we are on 1GB fibre, but even with said fibre, Sony and Microsoft haven’t been close in their offering technology wise.
A lot of people took the piss, and still do, with Stadia, but from my experience, it’s been ahead of its time, but certainly not lacking when compared to the alternatives.
Relying solely on cloud technology right now simply isn’t a good business model, hence Sony and Microsoft aren’t. However, if Xcloud can get anywhere close to the quality given from Stadia I’ll be impressed.
I mean OnLive was good too at times, but I think that’s when I was about one out of five in the UK to be using their servers. 😂
Re: Intense Free-To-Play Shooter 'The Finals' Looks Chaotic In First Full Trailer
Wow, this looks like my kind of game! It’s like a cluster-fudge of so many of my favourites.
Me and the missus will keep a keen eye on this. Now to send this trailer to my daughter, she will love it!
Re: Scorn Developer Says Working On Xbox Series S 'Was A Challenge'
Me and my partner sold our PS5 recently, and got 3 second hand mint condition Series S consoles. Now our daughter has one in the bedroom, we have one in the bedroom, and one for the living room.
It costs about £0.70-£1.00 for GamePass Ultimate a month on each, so around £3 a month.
So it’s just a no brainier for us, yes, non-native 4K on the one 4K TV we have doesn’t look quite as sharp, but we also don’t sit really close so to be fair, it’s barely noticeable most of the time.
It’s just such a strange concept, that for the price of one console sold second hand, with a failing controller and a clunky sounding disc drive, we got three consoles that don’t display in the same fidelity as that one, but it’s certainly not far enough off to really care about.
All I’m saying is, I’m glad developers are putting some effort in, as it’s clearly the gem Microsoft need console wise.
We do plan on getting a Series X for main 4K TV in the living room in time, but that’s only mainly due to watching 4K Blu-ray content.
So yeah, it’s a bit odd really. Never thought I’d say this, but I’m genuinely enjoying a more economical and less fancy setup. The value of the Series S is insane.
Even the ray tracing in Fortnite and the textures match when my daughter played on PS5, just not the resolution. Which again, when not sat up close and with upscale doesn’t look bad at all.
Re: Ubisoft's Splinter Cell Remake Will 'Update The Story' For Modern Audiences
@Sol4ris Thank you, means a lot!
Re: Ubisoft's Splinter Cell Remake Will 'Update The Story' For Modern Audiences
@Richnj Just dropped by to state how well said some of your points are.
I was going to comment, but you pretty much echoed my thoughts.
Anyway, let’s all just stop and demand more from our entertainment, no matter who they cast.
I mean Splinter Cell, as most will know is based on Tom Clancy work, which as many shall know, is dull, trite, repetitive and very predictable at best.
So whilst many keep stating they don’t know what Ubisoft could do to modernise it, I do, demand more from gaming and storylines, if all we are getting is the dull story with great gameplay of Splinter Cell, then why even bother.
It’s like how I can respect the original James Bond films, but my gosh are they dated in the language and terms they use.
So just like Bond films, times change, and so do the expectations of gamers.
Modern audiences can also just simply mean a more cognitively demanding audience, one that expects games to really push storytelling not push it aside.
It doesn’t have to mean we are all going to Pride march a spy down Oxford Street and have to reassign our characters gender for an achievement or trophy.
Because as we all know people of colour, along with people within the LGBTQ community can not become anyone of power or respectful. So God forbid we show a black and gay spy.
So, to end, just because Tom Clancy didn’t write about people within those communities being a part of various public services, doesn’t mean they aren’t. So where’s the harm in including them occasionally?
Oh, and just a side note, I can be a “Fortnite lover” and enjoy dull and repetitive Tom Clancy spy games.
This franchise has a chance, but for anyone who has recently played it, it’s like comparing the Mission Impossible TV show to the films, it’s just worlds apart from what people would expect now.
Re: Review: Deathloop - Arkane's Best Game Finally Arrives On Xbox
A 10? Wow, apparently the Deathloop I played on the PS5 before we sold it was better than I remember, by a landslide. I'll encourage the missus to play it on GamePass and see what she thinks. It's all just personal opinions of course, but I don't even remember it being that great. 7-8 maybe. Ah well, I guess it's as good as some of the best games ever made in gaming history.
Re: GoldenEye 007 Officially Announced For Xbox Game Pass
Wow, this was my childhood! It’s the game that I obsessed with before and after school with my friends so much.
We’d all take turns going one another’s homes for breakfast and dinner before and after school for multiplayer.
Granted, the graphics haven’t aged well, but still one of my fondest memories of my video gaming time over the years.
Been meaning to get the N64 out of the cupboard to show my daughter, but just haven’t gotten around to it.
I guess now I don’t have to! Wow. Just wow.
Re: Microsoft Announces 343 Industries Leadership Team Restructure
And just to note, I look forward to when or if Halo can grab me one day, but it needs a massive overhaul. Maybe this is the beginning of the end or the beginning of something I can get my hands on and feel excited again.
Re: Microsoft Announces 343 Industries Leadership Team Restructure
Haven’t played Halo since Halo 2, but always given them a chance each time and just haven’t meshed with them somehow.
I think the colour scheme needs a massive rethink for a start, as my eyes just get bored, playing this latest iteration it just felt no different to the original somehow. Which I understand would be good and bad depending on who’s playing of course.
Since playing Destiny 1 and 2 regularly, it’s kind of filled that hole in my mind I once had, what with the same style of gun play and pacing.
Plus it has colours that don’t look like my HDR TV is on its way out. 😂
Re: Poll: Did You Ever Buy The 'Chatpad' For Your Xbox Controller?
Seen third party ones on AliExpress for between £7-£10. They work with the X and S and seem absolutely fine for the job. Turns out my friend uses one after I suggested it to him, and he loves it.
So I may take a leap myself on one seeing how cheap the third party ones are.
I just wish I knew my friend used one and I’d gotten one earlier. I assumed there wasn’t a third party option still available.
Re: Talking Point: Can You Remember The First Game You Ever Completed?
Roland on the Ropes. Loaded via tape deck on an Amstrad 464.
Re: The 'Father Of Xbox' Is Uncertain About The Future Of Games Consoles
I believe owning nothing and having subpar experiences that witness disconnections and lag are what companies want, obviously, as it’s getting rid of the console equitation.
However, saying we have next to no jitter, incredibly low ping to most data centres, and 1GB broadband, we still don’t find it anywhere close to console service in our household.
GamePass streaming along with Sony’s offering is by far the worst, as in, we have a superior connection compared to what is likely the majority of their subscribers, yet it’s still 1080p at best, and that 1080p image isn’t resolved remotely well.
As there’s very clear and visible pixel breakdown on anything other than a mobile sized screen.
The delay is also a significant problem in say an FPS or anything for that matter that requires well timed movements. Not to mention even in games that aren’t movement heavy, the brain trying to adjust constantly gives me a headache.
Granted, it’s not the worst experience, but it’s far from anything close to having the console a few feet away.
Rendering the frames quick enough, and resolving them in a decent enough quality clearly isn’t what Xcloud backend is capable of doing reliably to everyone yet.
As with all services, it’s going to depend on where the data centre is, just as much as one’s home connection. So clearly the data centre near the midlands in the UK is non existent, or oversupplying.
Compare this to Stadia, I had my daughter up and running in seconds quicker than Xcloud, it displayed Destiny 2 in 4K and HDR, and 60FPS.
Not only that, I had a go and couldn’t even notice a delay for all but about 5 seconds out of over 2 hours worth of gameplay.
It looked and played better than the Xbox Series S we have. So yeah, that was astounding.
So clearly Google have both far superior technology. Plus likely a data centre a lot closer or easier hogged with traffic.
I mean Stadia pushed 4 times the resolution, 60 frames a second and high dynamic range information, all without my noticing a lag.
So, when people say Cloud gaming is the future, that’s fine, if I get to own games, as I don’t currently in a Cloud ecosystem. Then if that is assured, Xbox can’t provide what Google already is.
So if anyone is the future of cloud gaming, it sure as ***** ain’t going to be Xbox. Not when they’re already this far behind.
But then Stadia doesn’t have the brand awareness, and will likely die off as we all suspect.
At which point, I’ll wait for another company to come along that knows a whole lot more about what players expect from cloud gaming. As Xbox doesn’t have a clue.
I can’t wait to be proven wrong by them, I like their brand, but the cloud ain’t even close to console gaming yet … unless you use Stadia and it already is ahead of one Xbox console in performance anyway.
Re: Halo Infinite Player Goes Viral With 'Incredible' Toy Story Creation
@Scummbuddy Oh that makes sense, most games of this ilk do the same to a small demographic of their user base.
However, the journalist seems to think some are getting their hands on it in a more nefarious way.
“Ahead of its launch, quite a few players have already gained access to Forge through non-official means”
Re: NASA Releases Another Free Xbox Game, Complete With Achievements (1000G)
@SplooshDmg I’ve just this week discovered it! With all the millions of users (mainly children), it really would be so beneficial for more teachers to use it. My partner says she wants to mention it at the school meeting she attends.
The potential to keep kids entertained whilst teaching is huge. Thanks for the heads up though, the more it’s on my mind the better!
Re: Phil Spencer: Xbox Went 'Well Beyond Typical Agreements' To Keep Call Of Duty On PlayStation
So, if Microsoft were being transparent, which they’re not (like every large corporation), it is likely just simply to be the case they want to play the waiting game.
As in, they currently don’t have the market leading share, not by a long shot depending on which market is being looked at.
Thus, it makes sense they don’t wish to confirm that CoD won’t be on other platforms in a set timeframe, because they frankly don’t know where Xbox as a brand will be saturation wise by that timeframe.
This way, it means they can keep extending their ever so generous offers to publish a multi-platform franchise on everything it appears now, until it becomes financially acceptable to not do so.
To put myself in their shoes, I wouldn’t confirm when it’s leaving other platforms either, because it would then set in stone the publics perception, along with allowing other to monopolise on such announcement.
I mean to be frank, the money they make from micro transactions on the Sony platforms if they own the brand and the deal goes through, is worth a lot, a lot to be giving up if they don’t have the install base to make up for it.
Re: NASA Releases Another Free Xbox Game, Complete With Achievements (1000G)
@Richnj Absolutely agreed. My daughter adores things like this, nothing better for her than interactive learning.
I mean just imagine if all these nuggets of information primary and high schools teach in between the bigger aspects were included in say Minecraft etc.
Re: Halo Infinite Player Goes Viral With 'Incredible' Toy Story Creation
I’m a tad confused, so these people have accessed a mode of the game illegally am I to believe?
Then being celebrated for doing something they could easily have done in Unreal, Unity, Cinema 4D, Maya and so on without obtaining a version of the game they don’t have the right to?
Like yeah, they’ve made assets look like a 25-30 year old CG film, well done, but you know, how about doing that in actual 3D packages.
Just all seems a bit odd. Though I must admit it’s nice to see a version of Halo in 2022 that doesn’t look the same as the original Xbox version I played.
Re: Talking Point: Will Microsoft Replace Xbox 360 Games With Gold?
@uptownsoul That’s an interesting question to raise.
As I’m new to all that angle, does my current method of buying GamePass Ultimate at £1.30 a month every month work out cheaper or more pricey?
As I already get gold with it.