awp69

@FraserG The Halo X account now says this was just a mistake in the FAQ post.

“We incorrectly stated that PlayStation Plus is required for local co-op splitscreen play. Local splitscreen co-op requires a PlayStation account for each player but does not require a PlayStation Plus account.”

@IronMan30 Of course, most of those PCs are running on operating systems made by Microsoft and GamePass also is available on them. They have more than just vested interest in PC compared to other console makers.

Regardless, I think they likely mean console exclusive. Just like Sony would put on games in their own trailers for first party and third party games that were console exclusive to PS5 but were also on PC.

Not a big deal to most of console gamers, many of whom bought a console to begin with because of ease of use vs PC.

Honestly, this all really sucks but even listening to the video, Xbox has grown way too big and unmanageable. (And they have themselves to blame)

So they have to make big cuts to right the ship. I hope all of these studios survive, but in the end it may be what saves Xbox.

If they can become a more lean entity, they can focus on making games like Halo and FH that will be profitable. FH 6 made over $6 million in its first month and half of that was still Xbox sales.

While I hope things work out for the studios and employees affected, maybe the future of Xbox can have a better outlook and change the tide.

I should have downloaded First Light on my Laptop to get that $10. But I’m not sure it could run it even at the lowest settings, lol.

@Banjo- Oh, sorry, Junkster.

@MinervaX76 It’s not the fault of GamePass. It’s also on PS5 and PC. Steam has been showing less than 400 concurrent players for it.

I imagine the studio took the GP deal because they were in dire straights and needed an injection of guaranteed money.

Whatever the case, I’m about halfway through the game and am absolutely loving it so was devastated to hear this about the devs. It had gotten me wondering what they could achieve with a bigger budget. Won’t have the chance to see that sadly.

Played some of this last night and it’s pretty fun. Maybe geared toward younger gamers but I have enjoyed it nonetheless. Nice mix of platforming, combat and puzzles that often use building. That last part sets it apart but overall the game gives me a Ratchet and Clank vibe. Worth checking out!

@Balaam_ Forza Horizon 6 sold over 6 million copies split almost evenly between PC and Xbox. So if it’s a huge game, yes, Xbox players will buy games and not just play them on GamePass.

I still don’t understand why all the old Activision games weren’t just dropped onto GamePass at once. Maybe there’s more to it contractually or something else we aren’t aware of.

@FraserG The dev’s X account for Shift at Midnight still has a pinned post that the game is launching on GamePass on 6/17. Not sure if MS just missed it in the announcement?

Find it odd that it seems to have handling similar to Forza Horizon but gives you penalties for going off track. (And honestly that’s one of things I hate the most about “sim” racing games, lol.)

@FraserG Wish it was coming next week. It looks pretty cool!

Sadly I believe Denshattack! was delayed until July per articles on your NL and PS sister sites.

Who cares, new CEO trying to make changes for the better and everybody trying to take her down. Ridiculous. I’m happy with what Asha has done so far. Mistakes will happen. Change takes time. The reaction to some of this stuff borders on hysterical.

I think they went multiplatform with Senua because the two previous games have been on PlayStation. It’s not exactly a big game but it also still probably isn’t cheap to make. Honestly, I don’t really care about it being multiplat.

It was like bam bam bam with those Day One with GamePass animations today. Simply incredible even with third party games like Persona and Wo Long 2.

Personally I get more excited about that than the exclusives. GP is still an amazing value even with the price increases it’s had.

@Fiendish-Beaver Again, probably everything shown today was already in development for PS5, including E-Day and Clockwork. It MS cancelled every one of those multiplatform games they’d be eating the PlayStation development costs for every one. That’s why I’m saying it wasn’t reasonable to expect that they’d cancel all of them at once. They’re probably taking a bath on the ones they did pull back. Not sure why anyone would have expected otherwise.

@oopsiezz Dude. Asha just started. Xbox is probably losing money on development costs for both Gears and Clockwork by changing them to exclusive. That alone is a huge deal to start pulling back. They can’t lose money on every single game that started PS development already.

Absolutely fantastic. Only thing I might have liked to have seen was a glimpse of Blade but solid A from me!

I don’t think I’d count a 10-hour free trial as one of the games coming to GamePass. It’s just a perk IMO.

@Balaam_ Stellar Blade 2 hasn’t been announced as PlayStation console exclusive. They didn’t announce any platforms. Only one really confirmed was PC since they shows it running on it. Everything I’ve heard is that it is coming to Xbox. I wouldn’t be so quick to judge. Sony would probably be screaming from the rooftops that it’s a console exclusive.

I mean of they’re going to do this I’d rather get the mobile version for free ON mobile. Just sayin’.

I definitely think there will be more reveals at the showcase this Sunday. Hoping for a good shadow drop!

PC players also won’t be able to get the early access. If Sony paid for this, it’s a low blow. This is one of, if not my most, anticipated games and I have a PS5 along with my Series X. But I won’t be supporting this stupid move. No deluxe edition for me.

@Jenkinss I wasn’t even trying to “cope” with the loss of the game. I could care less about it. What I said is well documented. But believe what you want to believe. I don’t want to support this studio anyway. Their working environment sounds real comical.

https://www.ign.com/articles/moon-studios-xbox-report

Worth mentioning that Dune will be on GamePass day one.

Pretty excited about this one. Honestly my favorite reveal in the PlayStation show and I say that owning a PS5.

Think I’m going to go redownload Ignition in my Series X!

@Jenkinss The No Rest for the Wicked devs (who also did the Ori games) had a falling out with Microsoft after MS cut ties with them due to workplace controversies. And now they seem to have a beef with MS and I think this is more about that than the console itself.

@PennywiZe666 Townfall will probably just be a timed exclusive like Silent Hill 2 (ie. Sony money hatted it). I’m 99% sure it will come to Xbox eventually.

I thought I also heard it was originally just a VR release. So if it was initially developed for PSVR that also may be a reason it’s just PS initially.

I’ve played Monsters Are Coming! on PC and it’s really fun. Glad it’s coming to console and GamePass!

Absolutely love quick resume. Always have four or five games in the mix and the vast majority of time it works perfectly. When I go to play my PS5, I immediately miss it. Sometimes forget it doesn’t have it and accidentally close a game to play another.

There are some games that have long distances between save points. I wouldn’t be able to switch games until I got to the next save point. Not an issue with quick resume.

Easily one of my favorite features of the Series generations IMHO!!!

All three should be showing the logos. Making it look like a third party game is exclusive to your system is just petty and stupid. Irritating as hell to have to look up every game following a console’s show just to see what other consoles the game REALLY is coming to.

I don’t mind Xbox leading the way in showing what true consumer friendliness looks like.

I mean it’s only two months. And my birthday is in February so I’m sure they took that into consideration. 😀

Pretty good trailer. Does suck that it won’t be on GamePass but the amount they reduced the monthly cost is equivalent to how much the game costs so really is not a big deal. If you want it, buy it with that rate cut and you’ll also own it.

Obsidian could rectify this by making the DLC content free for a certain period of time. Just sayin’.

I’m still confused. I thought we got the Spacer’s Choice upgrade free when it came out. Know I already own it and pretty sure I didn’t pay for it.

Didn’t get much sleep last night so maybe I’m actually falling asleep at work and this is just a dream. 😀

Probably give the Backrooms game a try. Going to see the movie the Backrooms weekend so this might put me in the mood.

FWIW it looks like it’s got 89% positive on Steam.

@FraserG Will you still be doing a full review, even if it’s late? Would love to read your final thoughts.

Nice reviews indeed. FH6 still highest for the year but I honestly didn’t expect this to review this well. On my wish list!

Played a bit of the demo on PC and it was pretty fun (even if my aging laptop didn’t run it very well). Can’t wait to dig into it on XBOX GamePass!

FWIW, if you don’t own the game on Xbox, the bundle with both Darksiders I and II Warmastered is on sale for $10. So you can get the original game (including the upgrade) and DS II as a bonus.

Wasn’t Mina the Follower supposed to be on GamePass? I thought I remember seeing that when it was announced.

Great list! Really looking forward to Luna Abyss and Echo Generation 2.

It’s pretty cool and seems more narrative driven than the first one so that’s a plus for me. But it’s all about FH6 right now.

@Sakai Yes, they are real

I used it to play early when the early release (to play it even earlier, lol). No problems. Always use it when it’s an option for games I’m looking forward to!

It dropped to 91 on OpenCritic but still is the best rated game of the year there as well. Since it averages all platforms, I think it’s a better judge. You don’t see the issues that you pointed out with fewer reviews on a particular platform.

I already knew I would be getting the expansion so went ahead and got the upgrade. Absolutely loving it so far. Best location, variety of events, less in your face with constant commentary, better progression…. It’s looking like it will be my favorite FH yet. Having a proper urban center is also a huge win. Deserves being the highest rated game of the year so far!

Somehow missed Luna Abyss coming to GamePass but it looks promising. A demo for it has 93% positive on Steam and getting comparisons to Returnal and Doom. A more story based Returnal that isn’t a rogue like would be fantastic.

It’s all about FH 6 for me and absolutely loving it. So far my favorite game in the series by a good bit. Lots of variety in Japan. Having a proper city center adds a lot. Racing itself feels great as always and wristband system gives you more to work towards. This is the pinnacle of the series.