Man I love me some Skylanders. That series was so fun. Basically, Diablo for families (as in a kid and an adult). I would love for them to bring it back, without the actual physical toys. But I still want them to lean into the collect-a-character aspect. Maybe let players trade Skylanders with each other. I guess I'm just describing Diablo x Pokémon. And now I'm sad realizing it won't happen 😄
I forgot Creations had that 2GB limit. That's kinda crazy for a game with such an active mod scene. But now we 100 GB? I really hope one day we can get Fallout London on console
Halo Battle Royale. I giant map where every point of interest is an old Halo multiplayer map. Imagine dropping out of the sky onto the top of a mountain and it's Ascension. Drive along the beach and you come across Zanzibar. Stumble into a forest and find Sanctuary. Crawl along a mountain path and on the other side is Lockout. Follow a long river and emerge into Valhalla. Go Warthog-riding in a huge desert starting from Sand Trap and ending in Blood Gulch / Coagulation. Beam up to a Covenant ship and now your in Midship. Etc etc. I would love to play that game
If we're only counting original models and not updates (GBA SP, PS2 Slim, Xbox One X, etc) then it's only been in recent times that I bought systems at launch.
The Switch was the first new system I ever got at launch. I was more than ready to move on from the Wii U and was super excited for Breath of the Wild. Switch became one of my favorite systems ever. I love the hybrid concept. It's the perfect place to play indies. And there's no shortage of games to play. Something you couldn't really say about the last few Nintendo home consoles.
Then I got the Xbox Series X day one. I was excited about the possibilities of Game Pass and the extra horsepower along with features like Quick Resume and Auto HDR. Not to mention Microsoft had just announced its intended acquisition of Bethesda just a couple months before launch. The system has been more than worth it. Game Pass (despite the price hikes) continues to be a great way to discover new games. I adore Quick Resume, Auto HDR, FPS Boost, Smart Delivery and the OG Xbox and 360 Back Compat. It's also a beefy machine and being able to play big budget blockbusters along with a ton of different indies has been a blast.
And lastly, I got the Switch 2 at launch. I can't say it was worth it right out of the gate. I got my fill of Mario Kart World after a couple weeks. And outside of DK Bananza, there wasn't much compelling new stuff to justify the new hardware. But eventually, more and more games got Switch 2 upgrades which was great. Games like Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition feel like whole new games. Then Nintendo recently introduced handheld boost mode which is what I wanted from day one! The ability to play Switch 1 games at docked performance and resolution in Switch 2 handheld mode. Now, I'm having a lot of fun re-playing my Switch library in 1080p in handheld mode. On top of that, playing newer games like Street Fighter 6 and Virtua Fighter 5 in handheld mode felt like magic. I also have a Steam Deck but that screen is only 720p. Throw in Metroid Prime 4 and I'm a pretty happy camper.
Before these systems though, I usually waited for a good price or bundle before diving into a new system. And I also made sure to wait until there were enough games I wanted to play. But the last 10 years, I'm in a much better place financially as a grown adult and not a broke teenager
It's hard to get too optimistic (or pessimistic for that matter) since we don't know what they're doing next with hardware. A concrete 'yes, we're doing a console-PC hybrid' or something like that would go a long way towards easing anxiousness
I appreciate Phil's efforts especially in the back half of the Xbox One era salvaging the mess of the previous regime. Game Pass alone has made me love games more by helping me discover games I would have never otherwise have tried had they not been on the service.
Unfortunately, Phil's team was clearly hamstrung by the constant machinations of Nadella and higher management kowtowing to the almighty shareholders. We're looking at potentially more turbulent times for Xbox
Aside from the $10 price increase over the last time they launched a Forza Horizon, I don't see what the issue is here. It sounds like a lot of extra content is coming down the pipeline. If people feel some type of way about paying $60 to play a game a few days early, they can just wait the few extra days. Money saved
Play this game. The combat might be rough at first because you haven't developed your skill tree yet and the game overall is more of a slower pace compared to other action RPGs, but it is totally worth checking out. The setting, the stories with each case investigation and the relationship between the two leads are the highlights
I'm happy they're working on their own IP now. If I was them I'd have gotten sick and tired of my reputation being tied to following up someone else's legacy (BioWare, Bethesda) and IP (Star Wars, D&D, Fallout).
And whatever caveats people might have about the games set in the Pillars of Eternity and Outer Worlds universes, Obsidian themselves are clearly passionate about those games.
I'd rather they be happy and enjoying making games rather then just bending over backwards to make a sequel they 'should' make.
@themightyant not just Xbox, but this should be a standard across all platforms. I can't tell you the number of Switch games I was excited to play only to realize the text was way too small for a handheld screen. I don't know how difficult it is to implement scaling UI but it's something all games should have
If it was Ubisoft+ Premium, I would have been pretty excited actually. It'd be my ticket to play Assassin's Creed Shadows and Avatar. Star Wars Outlaws too if I hadn't just bought it. But it's just Ubisoft+ Classics, so a bunch of old games of which I already owned like a third of them. The idea of having to pay $10 more for a bunch of old games seems sus to me
I might be in the EXTREME minority of players that this change actually benefits since I've been a Fortnite Crew subscriber for years now. I'll save like $2 a month lol.
But for everyone else? Yeah, this is not good. Not good at all.
Three Fields never really put it all together for Danger Zone, Danger Zone 2 or Dangerous Driving. And those were basically the crash mode and racing modes of Burnout. What makes them think they can pull off a full open world? I guess letting players create all the interesting bits is one way to go about it. But I don't know how this turns out any different from their previous works unless they actually got the budget necessary to do a proper Burnout-style game. They've attached 'from the makers of Burnout' to each of those previous projects and each time it gets a little sadder when it obviously doesn't reach the heights of the original series
I don't understand the sentiment that Microsoft actually values this IP. The last thing they released was the 2010 remaster of the original for the Xbox 360. And then 15 years of... nothing.
Nothing to keep the franchise alive and in the public consciousness.
No spinoffs into other genres like those 2D Assassin's Creed games or the top-down Lara Croft games.
No crossovers with other franchises like a Killer Instinct guest character, a Fortnite skin, cheeky nods to PD weapons in other shooters, etc.
No multimedia ventures like an animated series on a streaming service, a web comic, a podcast serial, something! If Sony could get a Twisted Metal series made with no new game or remaster in sight, then Microsoft could have done something similar.
Hell, if they wanted to revive the franchise with something low risk, a full-on graphical remake of the original with modern QOL features would have done the trick. You'd have reviewers praising how well the level design has aged while gushing over the new coat of paint.
@wildcat_kickz I also remember the time before Spotify and I remember artists getting shafted with unfavorable 360 deals, not getting paid royalties, and being broke despite going platinum. Not to mention artists having to conform creatively just to fit the mold crafted by major label execs. This wasn't every artist but it happened enough that it had me questioning the major record label business model real early on when I first learned about such things.
It's never been easier to promote your music as an independent artist than it is now. I'm not saying it's easy, success is never guaranteed even if you do all the right things. But just like music artists, game devs (particularly indie devs) are more in control of their future than ever before. And part of that is deciding how and where your games get sold. If they deem a subscription service like GP as the most viable path to success, more power to them. If they want to charge a premium and try their luck that way, more power to them. If they think going free-to-play is the way, well you get the point.
As far as 'If you just work for a paycheck without the hopes of your work really exploding, you don't have a drive to push yourself to make something better', that only matters if the individual devs at a studio get paid more for a game's success. Historically, that really hasn't been the case. Sure the top execs will get bigger bonuses but the people doing the actual hard work get paid the more or less the same. I still remember Obsidian devs being denied a bonus for barely missing out on a certain Metacritic score. Not even sales, a score. People at the top will always find ways to pay everyone below them as little as possible.
Game Pass is not the Netflix of gaming. Not even close. Everything on GP can be purchased separately on its own. If there's a new show I like on Netflix, or any streaming service for that matter, and I want to purchase it digitally or physically, F me if it's never sold on its own. I've definitely run into that before.
As far as 'is it good for devs?' Well, that's a case-by-case thing isn't it? A small indie dev might appreciate the up front check and exposure so when the game shows up on other platforms it already has some recognition. For example, I played games like Monster Train and Cyber Shadow on GP first and then bought them on Switch later because I thought they were perfect for handheld play.
For a bigger game that is guaranteed to sell big numbers like GTA6, it probably doesn't make sense to launch day one (or ever) on GP.
For a middling-performing B-level game, GP might be worth a look to garner additional sales for a flagging product. Hearing that a game like Blades of Fire sold poorly out the gate makes me think it's GP-bound somewhere down the line.
A new online multiplayer game might benefit from having a potentially larger pool of players to start things off on the right foot.
Point is, it's going to be different for everyone. Devs and players. GP is tremendous value for people like me who play a lot of games. For the person that only buys Call of Duty and their annual sports game of choice each year, GP doesn't make much sense. Either way, I'm glad it exists as an option for both the people who make games and the people who play them.
If we're not getting Forza Motorsport games (or quality ones) in the future due to all the Microsoft layoffs that affected Turn 10, might as well get Gran Turismo on Xbox. I assume that's a franchise Sony isn't too precious about when it comes to exclusivity since it's not one of their third-person over-the-shoulder action adventure prestige AAA blockbuster titles
Y'all mentioned Project Gotham Racing. Now that's all I want. Call it Forza World Tour or Project Gotham Forza or whatever. Non-open world, closed circuit racing in beautiful locales with awesome radio stations and a big focus on the Kudos system. And cone challenges. Lots of cone challenges
As divisive as mainline FF games have been since FFX, I think FFXVI had the distinction of alienating almost every subset of FF fans. The most enthusiastic group of FFXVI fans were people who weren't into ANY of the previous games which says a lot. It's not that FFXVI is a bad game, it's just not a good FF game no matter what your expectations are for that franchise. Unless of course, you just didn't like FF in any form prior to this one. Then FFXVI might just be the game for you
I would have thought with the (I presume) steady success of Apex Legends and the favorable critical and commercial success of the Star Wars Jedi games that Respawn was safe from layoffs. But capitalism is gonna capitalism and EA is gonna EA. What the hell man
I think people underestimate how much can change from generation to generation. Sometimes it's a positive reset (GCN to Wii, Wii U to Switch, OG Xbox to 360, PS3 to PS4) and sometimes it's a negative reset (SNES to N64 to GCN, Wii to Wii U, DS to 3DS, PS2 to PS3, PSP to Vita, 360 to XB1). And I'm just talking about sales, not the quality of the hardware or library. Success one gen doesn't guarantee the same success the next.
It's easy to say 'well, this is how things are now, so that's how it will continue the next gen' but history has shown us otherwise across all 3 first parties. Every new console launch can be a brand new start, for better or worse. Momentum doesn't always carry forward.
I think of it like sports. Just because a team wins a championship one year, doesn't mean they'll do it again the next. And a team in the middle of the pack one season making the right moves can be a contender the next season. Every season is a different animal. Every console gen is a different beast. I'm staying positive about the future of Xbox.
If Xbox can continue to deliver big exciting games on a consistent basis like they seem to be doing these days, I think they'll do much better with the next system. Especially if they can differentiate themselves enough from PlayStation. Right now XSX is basically a PS5 with less games. If the next Xbox has a consistently killer lineup available day 1 on GP and has more PC-like features while STILL being accessible like a console, I think that will sway a lot of people.
Ultimately, I wish success for all 3 console manufacturers and I truly believe the next gen might be the first time all 3 will be firing on all cylinders while each forging their own unique path.
I think it will (as always) come down to a steady stream of big games. They've been killing it with GP these last few months (Black Ops 6, Stalker 2, Indiana Jones, Avowed) and the next few months are also looking good (South of Midnight, Clair Obscur, Doom Dark Ages, Tony Hawk 3+4, Ninja Gaiden 4). If they can just keep doing this moving forward, I think the next Xbox will do really well no matter what kind of features the hardware has
For the love of god DO NOT shadow drop a new IP no one has seen before like they did with Hi-Fi Rush. That game deserved some runway to build up hype but instead it was dropped unceremoniously into the marketplace without a life jacket. I'm not saying Hi-Fi Rush would've gone on to sell 10 million but it could've made a bigger commercial splash than it did. Shadow drops work for things people are already excited for. So if they do shadow drop a game, it better be a known quantity. Or at least from a familiar franchise. Just, don't send a new IP out to die because you wanted a cool moment on your direct showcase.
I don't know how likely any of these would be but they'd get me excited:
1. A Crash/Spyro/Banjo kart racer. They've got all these family-friendly mascot franchises, why not leverage them all? Hell, throw in Psychonauts and Viva Piñata and it'd be a blast! Get Sumo Digital behind it since they made all those Sonic Racing games that were really good.
2. A Blizzard crossover fighter. What if they made a VS fighter a la Marvel vs Capcom featuring WarCraft, StarCraft, Diablo and Overwatch characters? The roster alone would sell the game. Get someone like Arc System Works on it and you've got an Evo headliner.
3. Guitar Hero but (good) live service. If a new Guitar Hero were free-to-play and could be played entirely on a controller, that'd be pretty cool. That way, people who want to buy a plastic guitar can while everyone else can enjoy a more traditional rhythm game. And people can just buy the songs they like instead of '80 new songs but I only play 6 of them!' which was my experience with past GH and Rock Band games. Maybe have a rotation of free songs available to everyone. And maybe even provide a subscription (higher Game Pass tier?) that gives you access to all songs. And besides, Microsoft has the money to license all that music
It's a miracle this game exists at all considering the circumstances. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. A lot more so than the typical AAA launch woes at least.
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Re: Five New 'Xbox Player Voice' Requests That Have Been Trending Over The Past Week
Man I love me some Skylanders. That series was so fun. Basically, Diablo for families (as in a kid and an adult). I would love for them to bring it back, without the actual physical toys. But I still want them to lean into the collect-a-character aspect. Maybe let players trade Skylanders with each other. I guess I'm just describing Diablo x Pokémon. And now I'm sad realizing it won't happen 😄
Re: Three Games Are Available Today Across Various Tiers Of Xbox Game Pass (June 2)
ESO has never been on PC Game Pass? Huh, that's kinda crazy
Re: Xbox's New Chief Strategy Officer Is Planning To 'Revive Storied Franchises'
@swedetrap reading that list, all of a sudden I'm magically transported to the early 00s. It was a great time to play Xbox
Re: Bethesda Sets Release Date For Massive Fallout 4 'Creations' Update On Xbox Consoles
I forgot Creations had that 2GB limit. That's kinda crazy for a game with such an active mod scene. But now we 100 GB? I really hope one day we can get Fallout London on console
Re: Talking Point: What Dream Reveal Would You Like To See At The Xbox Games Showcase 2026?
Crimson Skies High Road to Revenge HD remaster with online cross-play. They sure as hell aren't going to make a new one.
I would also love if Skylanders came back. Without the toys part, I don't have room for that anymore. But those were fun family-friendly Diablo-likes.
Halo Battle Royale. That would get me back into the series. I drifted away after Halo 4.
Re: Xbox To Retire Features That Don't Align With Future Plans, Starting With Copilot AI
@Millionski DK Bananza sold 4 million copies on a system that's sold 17 million units. I think that's pretty good
Re: Talking Point: After Halo: Campaign Evolved, What Do You Want Xbox To Do With The Series?
Halo Battle Royale. I giant map where every point of interest is an old Halo multiplayer map. Imagine dropping out of the sky onto the top of a mountain and it's Ascension. Drive along the beach and you come across Zanzibar. Stumble into a forest and find Sanctuary. Crawl along a mountain path and on the other side is Lockout. Follow a long river and emerge into Valhalla. Go Warthog-riding in a huge desert starting from Sand Trap and ending in Blood Gulch / Coagulation. Beam up to a Covenant ship and now your in Midship. Etc etc. I would love to play that game
Re: Talking Point: How Many Consoles Have You Bought At Launch, And Were They Worth It?
If we're only counting original models and not updates (GBA SP, PS2 Slim, Xbox One X, etc) then it's only been in recent times that I bought systems at launch.
The Switch was the first new system I ever got at launch. I was more than ready to move on from the Wii U and was super excited for Breath of the Wild. Switch became one of my favorite systems ever. I love the hybrid concept. It's the perfect place to play indies. And there's no shortage of games to play. Something you couldn't really say about the last few Nintendo home consoles.
Then I got the Xbox Series X day one. I was excited about the possibilities of Game Pass and the extra horsepower along with features like Quick Resume and Auto HDR. Not to mention Microsoft had just announced its intended acquisition of Bethesda just a couple months before launch. The system has been more than worth it. Game Pass (despite the price hikes) continues to be a great way to discover new games. I adore Quick Resume, Auto HDR, FPS Boost, Smart Delivery and the OG Xbox and 360 Back Compat. It's also a beefy machine and being able to play big budget blockbusters along with a ton of different indies has been a blast.
And lastly, I got the Switch 2 at launch. I can't say it was worth it right out of the gate. I got my fill of Mario Kart World after a couple weeks. And outside of DK Bananza, there wasn't much compelling new stuff to justify the new hardware. But eventually, more and more games got Switch 2 upgrades which was great. Games like Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition feel like whole new games. Then Nintendo recently introduced handheld boost mode which is what I wanted from day one! The ability to play Switch 1 games at docked performance and resolution in Switch 2 handheld mode. Now, I'm having a lot of fun re-playing my Switch library in 1080p in handheld mode. On top of that, playing newer games like Street Fighter 6 and Virtua Fighter 5 in handheld mode felt like magic. I also have a Steam Deck but that screen is only 720p. Throw in Metroid Prime 4 and I'm a pretty happy camper.
Before these systems though, I usually waited for a good price or bundle before diving into a new system. And I also made sure to wait until there were enough games I wanted to play. But the last 10 years, I'm in a much better place financially as a grown adult and not a broke teenager
Re: Talking Point: What Should Xbox Call Its 'Project Helix' Console?
Gamecast. IYKYK
Re: Poll: How Optimistic Are You Feeling About The Future Of Xbox?
It's hard to get too optimistic (or pessimistic for that matter) since we don't know what they're doing next with hardware. A concrete 'yes, we're doing a console-PC hybrid' or something like that would go a long way towards easing anxiousness
Re: Phil Spencer Announces That He's Retiring From Xbox
I appreciate Phil's efforts especially in the back half of the Xbox One era salvaging the mess of the previous regime. Game Pass alone has made me love games more by helping me discover games I would have never otherwise have tried had they not been on the service.
Unfortunately, Phil's team was clearly hamstrung by the constant machinations of Nadella and higher management kowtowing to the almighty shareholders. We're looking at potentially more turbulent times for Xbox
Re: Xbox's Blizzard Team Announces Multiple Showcases Laying Out The Company's Future
I love me some more Diablo but I wish they also had a StarCraft showcase too.
Re: Opinion: Xbox Dev Direct 2026 Was Great, And One Game Clearly Stole The Show
Idk I thought FH6 was the clear best showing. I'm just glad Fable is a real game that I can look forward to now
Re: Forza Horizon 6's Controversial Game Pass Upgrade Costs As Much As The Game Itself
Aside from the $10 price increase over the last time they launched a Forza Horizon, I don't see what the issue is here. It sounds like a lot of extra content is coming down the pipeline. If people feel some type of way about paying $60 to play a game a few days early, they can just wait the few extra days. Money saved
Re: Prince Of Persia Remake Team Shares Final Message Following Game's Cancellation
Better to cancel it than to mess it up. And don't get me wrong, I LOVE The Sands of Time Trilogy
Re: Industry Insider Teases 'Secret' Fourth Game For The Xbox Developer Direct Showcase
Crimson Skies High Road to Revenge HD with cross play across Xbox, PS5 and PC
Re: PSA: You Can Start Banishers: Ghosts Of New Eden Early Before It Joins Xbox Game Pass
Play this game. The combat might be rough at first because you haven't developed your skill tree yet and the game overall is more of a slower pace compared to other action RPGs, but it is totally worth checking out. The setting, the stories with each case investigation and the relationship between the two leads are the highlights
Re: 16 Xbox Reveals Teased For Thursday's Partner Preview Showcase
It turns out it's all the Trails games finally coming to Xbox
Re: These Nine Games Are Coming To Xbox Game Pass (November 19 - December 2)
Play Banishers. That is all
Re: Talking Point: Xbox Is 24 Years Old Today, What Do You Expect From Next Year's 25th Birthday?
I expect Microsoft layoffs. I hope to be proven wrong
Re: Obsidian Aware Of Demand For Fallout: New Vegas 2, But Own IP Has Taken Priority In 2025
I'm happy they're working on their own IP now. If I was them I'd have gotten sick and tired of my reputation being tied to following up someone else's legacy (BioWare, Bethesda) and IP (Star Wars, D&D, Fallout).
And whatever caveats people might have about the games set in the Pillars of Eternity and Outer Worlds universes, Obsidian themselves are clearly passionate about those games.
I'd rather they be happy and enjoying making games rather then just bending over backwards to make a sequel they 'should' make.
Re: Rumour: Halo 2 & 3 Remakes Are Supposedly Coming After Halo: Campaign Evolved
Are they really gonna remake Halo 2's campaign as is? That abrupt ending didn't fly back then and I still don't feel good about it now
Re: ROG Xbox Ally X Continues To Sell Out, While Standard Version Remains More Readily Available
@themightyant not just Xbox, but this should be a standard across all platforms. I can't tell you the number of Switch games I was excited to play only to realize the text was way too small for a handheld screen. I don't know how difficult it is to implement scaling UI but it's something all games should have
Re: Talking Point: How Do You Feel About Ubisoft+ Classics Being Added To Game Pass Ultimate?
If it was Ubisoft+ Premium, I would have been pretty excited actually. It'd be my ticket to play Assassin's Creed Shadows and Avatar. Star Wars Outlaws too if I hadn't just bought it. But it's just Ubisoft+ Classics, so a bunch of old games of which I already owned like a third of them. The idea of having to pay $10 more for a bunch of old games seems sus to me
Re: Xbox Game Pass Is Getting A Major Overhaul With New Names, Games & Price Changes
I might be in the EXTREME minority of players that this change actually benefits since I've been a Fortnite Crew subscriber for years now. I'll save like $2 a month lol.
But for everyone else? Yeah, this is not good. Not good at all.
Re: Former Burnout Devs Return With 'Wreckreation' On Xbox Series X|S This October
Three Fields never really put it all together for Danger Zone, Danger Zone 2 or Dangerous Driving. And those were basically the crash mode and racing modes of Burnout. What makes them think they can pull off a full open world? I guess letting players create all the interesting bits is one way to go about it. But I don't know how this turns out any different from their previous works unless they actually got the budget necessary to do a proper Burnout-style game. They've attached 'from the makers of Burnout' to each of those previous projects and each time it gets a little sadder when it obviously doesn't reach the heights of the original series
Re: Report: Take-Two Tried To Purchase Xbox's Cancelled Perfect Dark Reboot
I don't understand the sentiment that Microsoft actually values this IP. The last thing they released was the 2010 remaster of the original for the Xbox 360. And then 15 years of... nothing.
Nothing to keep the franchise alive and in the public consciousness.
No spinoffs into other genres like those 2D Assassin's Creed games or the top-down Lara Croft games.
No crossovers with other franchises like a Killer Instinct guest character, a Fortnite skin, cheeky nods to PD weapons in other shooters, etc.
No multimedia ventures like an animated series on a streaming service, a web comic, a podcast serial, something! If Sony could get a Twisted Metal series made with no new game or remaster in sight, then Microsoft could have done something similar.
Hell, if they wanted to revive the franchise with something low risk, a full-on graphical remake of the original with modern QOL features would have done the trick. You'd have reviewers praising how well the level design has aged while gushing over the new coat of paint.
But no. They released nothing. For 15 years.
Re: Ex-PlayStation Exec Still Not Convinced By 'Dangerous' Xbox Game Pass Model
@wildcat_kickz I also remember the time before Spotify and I remember artists getting shafted with unfavorable 360 deals, not getting paid royalties, and being broke despite going platinum. Not to mention artists having to conform creatively just to fit the mold crafted by major label execs. This wasn't every artist but it happened enough that it had me questioning the major record label business model real early on when I first learned about such things.
It's never been easier to promote your music as an independent artist than it is now. I'm not saying it's easy, success is never guaranteed even if you do all the right things. But just like music artists, game devs (particularly indie devs) are more in control of their future than ever before. And part of that is deciding how and where your games get sold. If they deem a subscription service like GP as the most viable path to success, more power to them. If they want to charge a premium and try their luck that way, more power to them. If they think going free-to-play is the way, well you get the point.
As far as 'If you just work for a paycheck without the hopes of your work really exploding, you don't have a drive to push yourself to make something better', that only matters if the individual devs at a studio get paid more for a game's success. Historically, that really hasn't been the case. Sure the top execs will get bigger bonuses but the people doing the actual hard work get paid the more or less the same. I still remember Obsidian devs being denied a bonus for barely missing out on a certain Metacritic score. Not even sales, a score. People at the top will always find ways to pay everyone below them as little as possible.
Re: Ex-PlayStation Exec Still Not Convinced By 'Dangerous' Xbox Game Pass Model
Game Pass is not the Netflix of gaming. Not even close. Everything on GP can be purchased separately on its own. If there's a new show I like on Netflix, or any streaming service for that matter, and I want to purchase it digitally or physically, F me if it's never sold on its own. I've definitely run into that before.
As far as 'is it good for devs?' Well, that's a case-by-case thing isn't it? A small indie dev might appreciate the up front check and exposure so when the game shows up on other platforms it already has some recognition. For example, I played games like Monster Train and Cyber Shadow on GP first and then bought them on Switch later because I thought they were perfect for handheld play.
For a bigger game that is guaranteed to sell big numbers like GTA6, it probably doesn't make sense to launch day one (or ever) on GP.
For a middling-performing B-level game, GP might be worth a look to garner additional sales for a flagging product. Hearing that a game like Blades of Fire sold poorly out the gate makes me think it's GP-bound somewhere down the line.
A new online multiplayer game might benefit from having a potentially larger pool of players to start things off on the right foot.
Point is, it's going to be different for everyone. Devs and players. GP is tremendous value for people like me who play a lot of games. For the person that only buys Call of Duty and their annual sports game of choice each year, GP doesn't make much sense. Either way, I'm glad it exists as an option for both the people who make games and the people who play them.
Re: Talking Point: So, What Other PS5 Games Do You Want To See Come To Xbox?
If we're not getting Forza Motorsport games (or quality ones) in the future due to all the Microsoft layoffs that affected Turn 10, might as well get Gran Turismo on Xbox. I assume that's a franchise Sony isn't too precious about when it comes to exclusivity since it's not one of their third-person over-the-shoulder action adventure prestige AAA blockbuster titles
Re: For The First Time Since Xbox 360, EA Is Making A College Basketball Game
EA is making it? What the hell 2K y'all didn't want this?
Re: Talking Point: Would You Like To See A New Type Of Forza Game In 2026?
Y'all mentioned Project Gotham Racing. Now that's all I want. Call it Forza World Tour or Project Gotham Forza or whatever. Non-open world, closed circuit racing in beautiful locales with awesome radio stations and a big focus on the Kudos system. And cone challenges. Lots of cone challenges
Re: According To Sales Estimates, Final Fantasy 16 Had A Rough First Week On Xbox
As divisive as mainline FF games have been since FFX, I think FFXVI had the distinction of alienating almost every subset of FF fans. The most enthusiastic group of FFXVI fans were people who weren't into ANY of the previous games which says a lot. It's not that FFXVI is a bad game, it's just not a good FF game no matter what your expectations are for that franchise. Unless of course, you just didn't like FF in any form prior to this one. Then FFXVI might just be the game for you
Re: Our Predictions For The 2025 Xbox Games Showcase
A new Crimson Skies. Or remaster High Road to Revenge with crossplay
Re: Ubisoft Working On New 'AAA' Rayman Game As Studio Begins Hiring
They can't even get out a AAA Beyond Good & Evil game or a AAA Prince of Persia Sands of Time remake. How are they gonna attempt a AAA Rayman?
Re: EA Cuts Hundreds Of Jobs, Respawn Announces Two Cancelled Games
I would have thought with the (I presume) steady success of Apex Legends and the favorable critical and commercial success of the Star Wars Jedi games that Respawn was safe from layoffs. But capitalism is gonna capitalism and EA is gonna EA. What the hell man
Re: Talking Point: What Dream Reveal Would You Like To See At The Xbox Games Showcase 2025?
Crimson Skies High Road to Revenge Remaster with 4K HDR 120fps and cross-play
Re: Nightdive Studios Wants To Bring Xbox 360 Games Back From The Dead
Bullet Witch
Re: Xbox Series X|S Sales Now Trailing Almost 20% Behind Xbox One In The US
I think people underestimate how much can change from generation to generation. Sometimes it's a positive reset (GCN to Wii, Wii U to Switch, OG Xbox to 360, PS3 to PS4) and sometimes it's a negative reset (SNES to N64 to GCN, Wii to Wii U, DS to 3DS, PS2 to PS3, PSP to Vita, 360 to XB1). And I'm just talking about sales, not the quality of the hardware or library. Success one gen doesn't guarantee the same success the next.
It's easy to say 'well, this is how things are now, so that's how it will continue the next gen' but history has shown us otherwise across all 3 first parties. Every new console launch can be a brand new start, for better or worse. Momentum doesn't always carry forward.
I think of it like sports. Just because a team wins a championship one year, doesn't mean they'll do it again the next. And a team in the middle of the pack one season making the right moves can be a contender the next season. Every season is a different animal. Every console gen is a different beast. I'm staying positive about the future of Xbox.
If Xbox can continue to deliver big exciting games on a consistent basis like they seem to be doing these days, I think they'll do much better with the next system. Especially if they can differentiate themselves enough from PlayStation. Right now XSX is basically a PS5 with less games. If the next Xbox has a consistently killer lineup available day 1 on GP and has more PC-like features while STILL being accessible like a console, I think that will sway a lot of people.
Ultimately, I wish success for all 3 console manufacturers and I truly believe the next gen might be the first time all 3 will be firing on all cylinders while each forging their own unique path.
Re: Talking Point: What Should Microsoft Call The '2027' Xbox Console & Handheld?
Xbox Gamecast
Re: Microsoft Has Reportedly Discussed Acquiring IP From Ubisoft
Nintendo should buy Beyond Good & Evil and make the straightforward Zelda-like sequel it should have always been. Oh and Rayman too. Cuz platformers
Re: Report: Xbox Series X Successor Will Be 'Closer To Windows Than Ever'
I think it will (as always) come down to a steady stream of big games. They've been killing it with GP these last few months (Black Ops 6, Stalker 2, Indiana Jones, Avowed) and the next few months are also looking good (South of Midnight, Clair Obscur, Doom Dark Ages, Tony Hawk 3+4, Ninja Gaiden 4). If they can just keep doing this moving forward, I think the next Xbox will do really well no matter what kind of features the hardware has
Re: Talking Point: Which Xbox Games Would You Love To See Relisted This Year?
Outrun 2 / OutRun 2006 / OutRun Online HD. I just want this gem of a game officially playable on modern hardware. Come on Sega, make it happen!
Re: Xbox & Activision Seemingly Set To Release New Tony Hawk Remaster
Downhill Jam here we go!
Re: Talking Point: Are You Hoping For Another 'Shadow Drop' At Xbox Developer Direct 2025?
For the love of god DO NOT shadow drop a new IP no one has seen before like they did with Hi-Fi Rush. That game deserved some runway to build up hype but instead it was dropped unceremoniously into the marketplace without a life jacket. I'm not saying Hi-Fi Rush would've gone on to sell 10 million but it could've made a bigger commercial splash than it did. Shadow drops work for things people are already excited for. So if they do shadow drop a game, it better be a known quantity. Or at least from a familiar franchise. Just, don't send a new IP out to die because you wanted a cool moment on your direct showcase.
Re: Microsoft Has Announced More Layoffs In Its Gaming Division, Says New Report
And around and around we go. It never ends.
Re: Soapbox: I Can't Wait To See What Xbox Does With Activision This Year
I don't know how likely any of these would be but they'd get me excited:
1. A Crash/Spyro/Banjo kart racer. They've got all these family-friendly mascot franchises, why not leverage them all? Hell, throw in Psychonauts and Viva Piñata and it'd be a blast! Get Sumo Digital behind it since they made all those Sonic Racing games that were really good.
2. A Blizzard crossover fighter. What if they made a VS fighter a la Marvel vs Capcom featuring WarCraft, StarCraft, Diablo and Overwatch characters? The roster alone would sell the game. Get someone like Arc System Works on it and you've got an Evo headliner.
3. Guitar Hero but (good) live service. If a new Guitar Hero were free-to-play and could be played entirely on a controller, that'd be pretty cool. That way, people who want to buy a plastic guitar can while everyone else can enjoy a more traditional rhythm game. And people can just buy the songs they like instead of '80 new songs but I only play 6 of them!' which was my experience with past GH and Rock Band games. Maybe have a rotation of free songs available to everyone. And maybe even provide a subscription (higher Game Pass tier?) that gives you access to all songs. And besides, Microsoft has the money to license all that music
Re: Soapbox: I Can't Wait To See What Xbox Does With Activision This Year
@Nic-Noc20th-C Yeah! I loved Skylanders, they were great Diablo-likes with fun couch co-op
Re: Ex-Bethesda Dev 'Surprised' At The Amount Of Load Screens In Starfield
Purkeypile is a great Pokémon name.
Re: GSC Game World 'Absolutely Committed' To Fixing Issues In Stalker 2 On Xbox
It's a miracle this game exists at all considering the circumstances. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. A lot more so than the typical AAA launch woes at least.