Titntin

It's good that farce has finished.
But its bad that the deal happened imo.

Xbox itself is in a worse place now in my estimation with no reason to buy into the eco system and the next hardware being a PC.
I guess MS can make a mint. If you are a shareholder there's reasons to be very happy. But if like me you liked the autonomous Xbox division and wanted a console with distinguishing features and software that would help define it, that's all going fast..

I think this is very unlikely to sell much. There's so little actual game it's difficult to see why people would want to spend cash to buy it... but I guess any extra funds are better than none.
Xbox loses nothing by porting this imo - there no one looking at this and considering buying a series machine to play it.
Good tech demo though - if it gets patched to play @60hz.

Well it's all very interesting and as per usual we are left guessing.

If the next Xbox will be a PC though, then what about your current Xbox libraries? Xbox games are not all likely to run on a PC.
Indeed Jez Corden himself has pointed out this potential hiccup in an article two days ago:-
"For example, Microsoft has been hiring to beef up its forwards compatibility tech for Xbox consoles only recently. On paper sounds like a good thing, but if you extrapolate a little further, it could be that they haven't solved full compatibility with previous Xbox games on the new systems out of the gate.

Given that Microsoft was at the forefront of cross-generational compatibility, the idea that Microsoft may sacrifice full compatibility with libraries millions of existing Xbox users to chase a potentially imaginary casual PC living room audience isn't fun to think about."

I don't have much of a stake in that as my libraries are Steam and PS, but I'd be gutted if they screwed over those with large Xbox libraries..

Does anyone have any further insight into Xbox games running on windows?

Im not sure there is any title I'd pay that for, I'll either wait for a sale or not get the game.
I suppose never say never, but its hard to think of a game Id pay that for.....

@themightyant
I wholeheartedly agree! I think it's great that they came up with this tie in, but streaming old games like this is huge waste of energy and resources and the games should be downloaded and run locally.

@RiverGenie I hear you mate. I'm probably older (60) and just as tired.
I guess those of us that appreciate ID and the games they make want to see solid engagement and sales numbers because they are part of an organisation that tends to take action if they don't generate the money or funds that cover the investment plus a good return. As an ex dev, I am interested in the business of games as well as the playing of them, as my living depended on them doing well for so long.
I do get that it's often used as a tool to try and bash others too. It's been going on since PS1 vs Saturn days and likely beyond that. Its stupid and tiresome and unfortunately a reflection of human nature, we will never see the back of it.
Have a good day mate and I hope you are enjoying the game, it's a good one 👍

Well that's encouraging news for a game I've been enjoying on GP.

@RiverGenie Whilst I have some sympathy with your viewpoint, this entire article is precisely about how well the game has done and celebrating a metric you don't care for. Why read the article and respond if you have no interest in what the article is about?

Good luck to her. 11 years in one studio is putting down roots in this industry. She's young enough she will relish new challenges and I hope it works out.

Classic on the N64 - but that was a long time ago. Wasn't so keen on the follow up.
Not so sure the 'franchise' carries a lot of weight with modern gaming audiences, but a good reboot might change all that!

@HonestHick I definitely agree with you that a hole has been dug and making a PC for under the telly with Steam would be a very compelling offering I would love to see.
I still don't know how that would work for them financially, and expressed that several times in the hope someone else understood and would let me know. But there's tons I don't understand - doesn't mean it won't happen!
Once this gets some kind of confirmation, I'll be cheering along with everyone else👍

@cragis0001 Thanks for looking it up - I was too busy following bread crumbs on the steam rumour!
They are quite right, allowing CD keys to be sold help consumers a bit. I don't remember seeing such sales a few years back, but they are clearly allowed now. Here's CD keys for instance and there's loads more sites:
https://www.cdkeys.com/playstation-network-psn/psn-games

Like you, I'm wondering if they relaxed their stance on this due to the potential outcome of an investigation, which would show that the laws work, eventually! As someone who buys a lot from PSN store, anything that helps make it more competitive is very welcome!

I loved this game, what a joy to have a reason to go back!

Here is an article about how the rumour and speculation of MS buying valve came about, with links for varification of tweets etc.

https://80.lv/articles/no-microsoft-is-not-buying-valve-for-usd16-billion

As the Verges editor states: To set the record straight, Tom Warren, an industry insider and Senior Editor at The Verge, has taken to Twitter to dispel the rumors and confirm that there is no such deal in the works, nor does Microsoft have any plans to acquire Valve in the near future.23 May

@cragis0001 Ive bought PS5 games from digtal retailers at a discount? I always buy my psn store credit for a minimum of %15 off.
It wouldnt take long to show regulators that those deals are available, but I assume they are looking at something slightly different..

@HonestHick Id be gratefull if you have a source on the 16 billion offer for valve, as your quite right, Ive not seen that.
It strikes me as a pitiful offer tbh, given the size of the market valve controls, but doesnt mean it didnt happen and Id like to read more.
I do spend every day reading game biz sites and developer websites in addition to the normal news outlets, so I do try and approach tthese conversations with some knowledge. Im at least not willfully ignorant 😊

@AverageGamer I'll state catagoricaly that this is definitely not their plan.
They are never entering a software selling market hoping to nickel and dime a profit from hardware. No way on earth thats a Microsoft position.

@HonestHick Thats because you are telling people something you dont know.
This is surely a place where people can discuss their thoughts and ideas as adults. Theres no need to think people who have different thoughts are giving you backlash, I dont understand your frustration.
I hope you are correct, but I fear you are wrong. Surely thats not unreasonable to state in a comments section under a rumour story?

@themightyant
Maybe, but I dont see that. Their stated aim has been to grow their own storefront on pc and mobile. Giving steam on your hardware ensures very few would use it imo.
Plus they would be giving away 70%..they only get 30% of what another store would sell.

@cragis0001 Unless the EU want to chase Sony and Nintendo for the same situation, then a point made in an old investigation is not likely to put Microsoft off, is it? They sold the bulk of this gen as digital, with no options of where to buy and I dont see any regulators calling foul?

I still dont see why they would do this as no one would buy from them.
Dont get me wrong, as a long time steam user it would make me more interested in the machine, but Id still take a bet it wont happen.

@PJOReilly 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

My fave was avowed and Id rate that an 8 myself.
Indy was a good game but gave me motion sickness so had to be played in small doses.
Doom seems excellent and might be my highest rated, but Im early in the game, so I cant rate it yet.
These are all good games though, none are a huge flop.

Always happy to see whats coming, whats not to like?

Keeping my expectations in check mind you, Ive never felt they were the amazing 10s that many people have in the past, but MS shows have been good and Im hoping that continues.

Ive had a visitor overnight, so Ive not been able to play much apart from a few Forza Horizon 5 races. Been watching F1 today, but now thats finished maybe some Doom, if not its Expedition 33.

Hope you're all having a great one!

Really enjoying it. No platforming, double jumps and all the stuff I disliked in the last title. I can play this without having a spinning head and it feels meaty and more reminiscent of the the og doom games I loved so much.
Im early in my playthrough, but it feels like a good 8/10 title to me and Im happy to be playing it..

@HonestHick Thanks for that! I hadnt heard those rumours, so its been interesting to hear.
Im not so sure I believe them mind, I dont think steam is likely to be for sale or be valued that low, but never say never, crazy stuff happens. I didn't didnt think theyd buy ABK only to publish everywhere either, but here we are.
Completely agree that Store Fronts are where its at, which is why I didnt think they would side load steam on new machines. Irrespective of how I feel as a consumer, its interesting to watch all these positions emerge and be discussed.

Oh, and yes Id heard something about a potential new Sony handheld too. As you rightly suggest, Id skip that one too 😊

@PJOReilly I still havent played the dlc! Im not sure I understand why 🤷

This isn't my favourite genre as my reactions are getting shot, but this is a great list, and the ones Ive tried are clearly good games even if they are beyond me 😀
Mind you, Elden Ring is an all timer for me and I platinumed that so Im not immune to the charms of the genre!

@Cakefish Lol, neither of us really know mate. Industry knowledge doesnt help you guess that much.. I just know MS brutally follow the path to maximum profit!

@Cakefish
Maybe you like to assume rumours are true, but having seen this business unfold since it started, and having twenty years as a top dev myself, I know that rumours are just that and are more often wrong than right.
It's clearly not profitable for microsoft, so it will clearly not happen. They are not making hardware platforms so that others can make the bulk of the profit.

Obviously neither of us have an inside line on what's happening, but I would just say that I've followed Digital Foundry since its inception, have had several in person talks with Richard in the late 90's and can show you many times when they have gotten something wrong or made the wrong assumption. They are excellent in terms of their technical acumen, but they have proved many times they are not always correct when it comes to rumours.

Time will tell of course, and as a steam user myself I'd like to be wrong. But unless MS cut a partnership with Steam, which is highly doubtful seeing as they are laser focussed on developing and promoting their own store fronts, it just won't happen.

Lets park this for now and we can return to it in the future when one of us can say 'I told you so!' 😊

@Cakefish The whole point of having a hardware platform is to take your cut of the software sold on it. Having steam on your platform will inevitably mean you'll never sell on your own store and would be commercial suicide. I can't see that happening, and as a steam user, I'd like it very much...

@FraserG Thanks for the reminder Fraser, maybe that one will be the TV PC I'm hoping for
Failing that, as long as no games are locked into the eco system I'm all good anyway, and could finally ditch the controllers I dislike and that my wife won't use

I genuinely think MS are making a huge mess of this. Those of us wrapped up in this business will always understand the offerings, but for more casual buyers, having too many offerings and platforms is more of a turn off than an on, and it's hard to see how these ideas will help the hardware turn its fortunes around. ATM it seems like 'tick every box and product and see what sticks'. The fact that no one from Xbox has explained what their strategy is for the future is a bad sign imo. Again though, I hope I'm wrong and they know exactly what they are doing...

I don't use handhelds and restricting their hardware so it can work in a handheld mode simply means I won't buy a new Xbox.

I hope this is not true, but if it is, then at least I don't need to buy anything more from Xbox as they will no longer offer 'state of the art' gaming - unless of course you like gaming handhelds, in which case this might make you very happy.

Ive enjoyed some excellent games on the series x, and game pass has ensured Ive spent very little to do so.
I buy my 3rd party games on ps5 though, which I prefer and play most, but Im glad I have a series x as my game pass machine.

Great to see the ongoing support for the game.
But surely Avowed was a once and done game? I did everything in my first playthrough, and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I dont feel the pull to return?
Still this is great for new players. Im glad they worked on the fog of war clearing - it became tedious running back and forth across the map every 20 ft, just to get the fog of war on the map cleared properly 😄

The claymation animations and aesthetic are as wonderful as ever.
Perfect gp game, as Im not convinced enough to spend money! 😄

One of the true greats, it was worth full price and at this price everyone should play it....

Only a couple of titles I would want to try here, so I still intend to unsub after doom. Its £90 for the rest of the year and there is no value in it for my tastes.
The advantage of MS forcing me to pay monthly is that I'm not committed and once I've played the titles I was interested in (been good for last 6 months) I can drop it. Subnautica 2 is the only title I think I'd play, but I can own the title for lot less than the sub.

@Fiendish-Beaver Congrats on getting your collectors edition! You must have quite the collection at this point
I was a big fan of the original game too - I still had reflexes and enjoyed shooters at that stage! I remember modding the original with Samples from 'the Simpsons', and how much fun we had playing that version on games nights... happy days.

It would appear that this one is slowed down a little and I'm very keen to try it as I might really enjoy it if it's a little less 'spinny'. This is where GP shines for me as I can try it now and buy it if it turns out I'm enjoying it and playing it with no issues..

Just one of the many reasons I dislike Microsoft - I preferred it when the Xbox division had some autonomy, but those days have gone.
They are not the only ones who do this, but its another classic example of why capitalism is only there to feed the wealthy.

Not without some compelling software.
I dont use portables ever, and as a docked machine its offering the chance to play old games in a worse technical state than I have already. Mario kart world and the donkey kong game are its got right now and I dont need to play them yet.
Once we get lots of nintendo bangers, it will have more appeal to me.

No way I buy a Borderlands game for £80, no way in hell.
Might consider it when its flopped hard and been sold for £25, but Ill happily just let it drift by.

I bought this but cant play it in its current state. Fortunately, theres a ton of other titles competing for my time, so hopefully this will be in a better state once im free...

As a campaign GOW2 is really hard to beat...

@Ricky-Spanish Im sorry? I dont think I understand your question?
I havent said im bothered by other people enjoying expedition 33 as well as myself, indeed Im delighted its been such a success, especially for a smaller dev team.
If Ive implied otherwise I certainly didnt mean to.

Not my type of game, but Ill enjoy checking it out on GP anyway!
Maybe Ill get hooked 😊

I shall try and finish off Expedition 33, which Im enjoying and glad I bought, but dont love in the way so many people do.
Im looking forward to returning to AC Shadows, which I was enjoying very much.
For some light relief, I shall be racing in Forza Horizon 5 on the ps5 pro. Ive put hundreds of hours into it on Xbox, but racing with the subtle feedback on dualsense and racing without the annoying pop in @ 60hz has been a treat, and I can race with my wife who has her own pro and disliked playing with the xbox controller.

Also waiting for Doom on GPU, which has had an amazing 6 months!

Whatever you are playing this weekend, I hope you have fun!

Congratulations to Microsoft gaming, by buying the biggest dev houses in the buisness they are now producing some of the most loved titles in gaming.
To make decent money on that, they need to sell everwhere and their own platform becomes a sacrificial lamb to chasing shareholder demands. I think thats a shame for xbox, but if you are rooting for shareholders profits, maybe thats sucess to you.

Sony make plenty of money, record profits in fact, from people selling games on their platform. Thats the point in having a successful hardware platform. They are getting 30% of everything sold, for zero funding or risk. Im sure they are more than happy to take that money no matter whos selling...if its sold on a playstation, its a sucess story for Sony.

Ive no problem with both MS and Sony making plenty from Microsofts 3rd party publishing strategy. I just wish MS wasnt screwing its hardware platform over in order to achieve it.

@Ricky-Spanish Yeah this will look phenomenal on all platforms Im sure!

@Ricky-Spanish It was confirmed by Rockstar that it was captured on og ps5, not a pro. Be interesting to see what additions they add to the pro...

@RadioHedgeFund You really didnt see much then. They stated quite clearly in the trailer it was all captured on a ps5, so your speculation about it being on a high end pc is nonsense.
However I have sympathy for your viewpoint on the game itself, so far it seems more of the same and that they have not broken the mold..... Ill still take it, Rockstar make open worlds better than anyone else.