Comments 336

Re: Titanfall 2 Hacks Continue As Multiplayer Rendered Unplayable On Xbox

antstephenson

@xMightyMatt14x
I understand fully, but I would still expect Xbox to be leaning on EA to sort it (ideally) or pull it (not ideal), as I really don't think it's great for gamepass to carry broken content (even if it is through the EA add-on).
As an analogy... if I owned a shop, I wouldn't display damaged goods on the shelf.

Anyway, it's just a shame that something entertaining has become unplayable...
People eh! There's always someone out there trying to ruin stuff.

Nevermind... at least Apex is working (for now!).

Re: Titanfall 2 Hacks Continue As Multiplayer Rendered Unplayable On Xbox

antstephenson

I only recently got into playing TF2 MP and am loving it (even though I am rubbish... sorry teammates)... so much more fun than playing Call Of Duty.

But now... unplayable.

Such a shame... I think Xbox should remove the TF games from gamepass until Respawn have some robust security in place. Or at least Xbox should lean on Respawn to sort it out.

A real pity, as gamepass is giving the game a second wind, picking up new players like me. Respawn should be fully supporting the game, as TF3 could be a hit (except they are showing zero interest in developing it).

May need need management at Respawn, as their security, prioritization and decision making seems questionable at best... I don't say this lightly, as TF2 and Apex are awesome (when they work).

Re: Soapbox: Forza Horizon 5 Is Going To Need To Lean Into The Series' Absurdity To Impress Me

antstephenson

@AtlanteanMan

Unfortunately, I don't think we will reach a consensus here, as I believe we are philosophically poles apart.

Where you see lack of freedom, I see a developer wanting to protect their baby.

Where you want to have latitude to mod as you wish, I understand a developer wanting to maintain a tone for their product.

Where you see cancel culture, I see people wanting to eliminate hateful speech, icons and behaviour.

So, while I won't debate this anymore, as I believe our thinking is too far apart; I will leave you with this one thought...

It's just a videogame, with a developer trying to keep things pleasant.
That's it, nothing else.
Really not worth getting aggravated about.
There's a lot trouble in the world right now and this is small potatoes.

So relax and enjoy the games you love for what they are (not what they are not or what they will not allow you to do).

Hope you find and enjoy the games that bring you happiness.

Peace and love.

Re: Soapbox: Forza Horizon 5 Is Going To Need To Lean Into The Series' Absurdity To Impress Me

antstephenson

@AtlanteanMan

I was a fan of Dukes Of Hazzard as a kid (I absolutely loved it!).

But now, being a lot older and a little wiser, I 100% understand (and agree) with not having the Confederate flag in the game.

There are still endless customisation options available, so having one troublesome option removed is not a big deal and should in no way hinder your enjoyment of one of Xbox's finest games.

Rather than thinking of it as "caving in to cancel culture", consider it as "a thoughtful act to avoid a symbol that for many is associated with racism and white supremacy".
I think that is reasonable.

Re: Soapbox: Forza Horizon 5 Is Going To Need To Lean Into The Series' Absurdity To Impress Me

antstephenson

Interesting there are a few negative comments regarding purexbox including a discussion piece.

I understand they might not be for everyone... some people just want the news/facts.
However, I think a well written discussion piece can be entertaining... and more importantly, a kick off for discussion amongst us site visitors.

Perhaps the discussion pieces could be siloed to a different part of the site menu... out of the way of the news pieces, but still there for those who want to read them... best of both worlds?

Re: New Hot Wheels Toys Suggest Forza Horizon 5 Is Coming This Year

antstephenson

@Halucigens
I was the same.
I went Xbox, xbox360, PS4 and now series x.
PS4 was fine, but I didn't realty get into their exclusives.
However, I'm glad I skipped that Xbox gen, as I now have Forza horizon 4, gears 5 etc to catch up on before the proper current gen stuff comes out.

LOVING FH4!

Looks like new game is Mexico... Which will please my Mexican wife.

Italy would be a great future destination... Beautiful coast, historic cities, pretty rural villages, mountains... Has it all.

Re: Yes, Bethesda's Starfield Reportedly Will Be An Xbox And PC Exclusive

antstephenson

@sanderev
That's cool... Was just wondering if they would make it gamepass only in order to drive subscriptions. But I've had it confirmed elsewhere as well that it will be available to buy... Which is good for gamers who have PS and PC, as they still get to play it.
Doesn't really affect me as I have gamepass and series x, but was just curious what the strategy was.

Re: Talking Point: Looking Back, What's Your First Memory Of The Original Xbox?

antstephenson

@Royalblues I think the S covers a few bases...

1) people who can't afford the X (or who just don't want to spend/rush that much money)

2) people who can't get the X, but are desperate to try gamepass

3) people who want a second Xbox (maybe have an X hooked up to their main TV and then want a S to hook up to their office/bedroom desk and monitor).

4) PS players who are curious about Xbox and/or gamepass and want a low-ish cost way to augment their PS experience.

So, the S certainly has its place and deserves coverage... But the X will always be the flagship machine to show off the best of what Xbox can do, so I understand the focus on it.

Re: Talking Point: Six Months Later, What Are Your Thoughts On The Xbox Series X|S?

antstephenson

Enjoying mine.

Hardware: spot on

Games: I've come back to Xbox from PS4, so games like Forza Horizon 5 and Gears 5 are new games to me. Plus great stuff on gamepass (like Dirt 5).

UI: actually, that's horrible... but have got used to it.

Get the feeling Halo will be underwhelming though, so MS need to get some new flagship IPs instead of just Halo, Gears, Forza.

However, overall I'm happy I got it... feels more like home than my PS4 🙂

Re: Rumour: Is The Switch On Phil Spencer's Shelf Teasing An Xbox Collab With Nintendo?

antstephenson

@Duck21
I think you need to relax my friend
I'm not even going to bother to unpack and respond to everything you posted there... frankly I should be working now and don't have the time.
Remember... games are fun, gaming is fun... And, this forum is fun (let's keep it that way 🙂👍).
Relax, enjoy your gaming... and you don't have to buy or subscribe to anything you don't want or need.
In the grand scheme of things (particularly looking at what has been happening in the world the last year or so), none of this is in the slightest bit important... so, kick back, chill and enjoy your gaming 🙂👍

Re: Rumour: Is The Switch On Phil Spencer's Shelf Teasing An Xbox Collab With Nintendo?

antstephenson

@Duck21
I guess it depends...
It might be gamepass streaming only on the switch... there's a lot of Xbox games not on gamepass.
Also, 4k 60fps matters to some people (though not all).
Series X also has optical drive for those who liked playing physical copies of games (or watching DVD and blu ray).

Having the Nin Switch LITE as a portable Xbox gamepass machine (in addition to their series x) could be quite appealing for some Xbox users, as it's better designed for portable gaming than a phone or tablet... could be their on-the-go, throw in a bag device, while the series x is for play at home on the TV.

Re: Reaction: Xbox Might Just Be In Its Strongest Position Ever Right Now

antstephenson

My history was Xbox, xbox360, PS4.
Loved the 360, but wanted to try some PS exclusives (last of us, little big planet etc).
The PS console was fine, but didn't really get into the PS exclusive games... just didn't quite feel the love I had for the 360.
Now I'm back to series x and very happy.
Gamepass means I'm trying (and enjoying) games I might not have not bought (Control, Wreckfest etc) and includes games I would have bought included in it (Dirt 5, Gears, Forza Horizon)... Factor in xcloud as well, it's great.
The Bethesda thing doesn't excite me too much, but let's see.
I think PhilS is generally making the right moves... but just need to see some game changing new IPs... can't run on Halo and Gears forever!

Re: Xbox Will Deliver Exclusive Bethesda Games 'Where Game Pass Exists'

antstephenson

From a business perspective, I understand ringfencing your IPs (especially if you've just dropped 7bill)... It makes total sense.
As a gamer, I would actually like all games to be cross platform (specifically for multiplayer), to keep the active player base for the game broad and for that base to last a long time... it's sad when you revisit an old multiplayer game you love and there's nobody in the lobby 😆

Re: Pick One: Which Of These Xbox Game Pass Racers Is Your Favourite?

antstephenson

Mostly enjoyed FH4, but with a few caveats...
The menus are a bloated confusing mess.
The car handling seems a bit off to me... a bit floaty and with both understeer and oversteer.
Love the idea and the looks of the game though.

Dirt 5... Shallow and easy, but kinda fun for a quick 10-20 session... great addition to gamepass.

GRID should not be forgotten. A very good game (though I prefer the city tracks to the race circuits)... Though occasionally the AI driver aggression can sometimes ruin a game.

BRING BACK PROJECT GOTHAM... that game was a damn near perfect city racer. Great city tracks and perfectly balanced handling (not quite sim and not totally arcade... just right).

Re: Guide: Will More Games Be Added To Xbox Backwards Compatibility?

antstephenson

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Re: Talking Point: What Are Your First Impressions Of The Xbox Series X|S?

antstephenson

Some background...
My history is Xbox, Xbox 360, PS4.

Let's get the negatives out the way...

I'm finding the UI horrible and unintuitive compared to the PS4 (and the Xbox 360). Hopefully I'll get used to it eventually.
EDIT: A day later, I'm getting a bit more used to the UI and have found some customisation settings that help... But it's still horribly unintuitive... I actually can't believe how messy it is!

The EA Play Hub app doesn't seem to be working for me, even though I'm a GPU ultimate subscriber. EDIT: This issue now seems too be resolved.

That's it for the negatives.

So, now for the "not sure"...

The controller:
I like some of these texturing on the controller, but not so keen of the smaller feeling it has compared to the old 360 controller... I feel I have to hold the new controller same way I did with the dual shock.
Quite like the thumbsticks.
Not sure about the vibration feedback yet (feels a bit weedy)... Need to test on more games.
EDIT: I'm getting used to the controller now, but still find the vibration a bit weedy... No deep rumbles, just a bit buzzy, like it's full of wasps.

The good:

Slots horizontally, nicely and discreetly into my (open ended and open sided) AV unit with my other black boxes. Thank God I don't have to put that huge white PlayStation monstrosity in there!

Forza Horizon 4 looks and plays great... Even the wife was impressed! Can't wait to try playing Gears and Halo on it.

Overall, I'm happy. Hopefully the UI will get tweaked (or overhauled) over time. But mostly I am a happy bunny... Not least because the second controller I ordered from Argos turned up in the wrong colour, so they are letting me keep it and sending me another one free