bazchillin

If you can't find an option that works for you maybe share the sub with a friend. I'm not too bothered. My subscription to ultimate expires this december I'll just buy a year of GPU and enjoy the rest of my life. Money needs to be spend and remember gaming is still just a hobby.

Critics of the price often fail to consider that these platforms are open and don't have the revenue guarantees common with home consoles. This perspective sheds light on the pricing for the series follow-up if it genuinely functions as an open platform.

@Coletrain You're right that companies won’t get fined for not turning a profit in a given year — that’s not how it works. What I meant by "legally obligated" is more about the fiduciary duty corporate executives and boards have toward their shareholders. It doesn’t mean profits must rise every quarter, but they are expected to act in ways that serve shareholder interests — including pursuing growth, optimizing operations, and yes, sometimes making unpopular cuts.

You summed it up perfectly: layoffs are a brutal but common lever in publicly traded companies to improve perceived efficiency and protect or boost share value. That doesn’t make it right — just a reality of the model.

And like you, I’m still rooting for Xbox. They've made real progress creatively and technically this gen, but mass layoffs signal deeper issues that can’t just be waved away with corporate spin.

@Medic_alert

I’m not trying to make excuses — just pointing out the structure these companies operate in. Microsoft, like any public company, makes decisions within a system where shareholder interests come first. That’s not the same as defending it — it’s just recognizing the reality behind how and why these decisions happen. You don’t have to agree with it, but it’s not exactly optional for them either.

If you’ve chosen to step away from Xbox and avoid supporting them financially, that’s totally valid — and honestly, that’s the most effective form of protest in this space. But even then, we’re all still entangled in a system where big publishers, advertisers, platforms, and studios are interconnected. It’s not as easy as just “opting out” and walking away clean.

I respect your stance, but we can acknowledge wrongdoing and understand the underlying mechanics at the same time. Otherwise we just end up shouting at symptoms and never talking about the system that enables all of it.

@shoeses @Medic_alert I understand the frustration, and yeah, price hikes during layoffs while profits are high definitely feels wrong. But here’s where I still stand: people can throw around moral outrage all they want, but at the end of the day, we’re all contributing to the system, whether through subscriptions, day-one purchases, or even just staying in the ecosystem.

Microsoft, Sony, and the rest are publicly traded companies. That means they are legally obligated to maximize shareholder value. It’s not just greed, it’s the structure they operate under. Every cent we spend ultimately feeds into that. You can dislike it (I do too), but acting like we’re somehow separate from it while still participating in the market is just denial.

Gaming is no longer a passion project hobby space, it’s a trillion-dollar global industry. Not a campfire kumbaya circle. If you're paying into the system, you're part of the system. That doesn’t mean people can’t have feelings, but it does mean we should stop pretending like there’s some pure moral high ground in being a consumer while still expecting AAA results at bargain prices.

@RBRTMNZ @Medic_alert

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I totally get why it feels frustrating to see price increases and layoffs happening while Microsoft is making strong profits. It definitely seems unfair on the surface.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that companies like Microsoft are publicly traded, which means they have a legal responsibility to their shareholders to grow and stay profitable. That sometimes means making tough decisions, like raising prices or reducing staff not because they want to, but because that’s how the business is expected to operate under the law.

Game development costs keep rising, and if we as gamers want bigger, better games with lots of content, studios have to find ways to balance all that which can be really complicated.

I’m not saying it’s easy or that anyone should be happy about layoffs, but understanding the full picture helps us have a more honest conversation about what’s happening behind the scenes.

At the end of the day, we all want fair pricing and healthy studios and it’s a tricky balance to strike.

And so it begins. While it’s sad for everyone involved, we as gamers should be honest: we can’t complain about price increases and then act outraged when layoffs happen. That’s a bit hypocritical.

Game development costs have skyrocketed in recent years — from higher production values and longer dev cycles to expensive acquisitions and live service infrastructure. When prices go up to reflect that, people cry foul. But at the same time, those same people are often first to be outraged when studios get shuttered or teams lose their jobs. You can’t demand AAA experiences at indie prices without expecting cuts somewhere down the line.

The Play Anywhere initiative is commendable, and the gaming industry as a whole should have embraced platform agnosticism during the generation when the transition to x86 architecture became standard. Play Anywhere stands out as an effort, and games, in general, should have adopted platform-agnostic principles in the previous generation when the industry shifted to x86. Microsoft will continue developing its own hardware, and it is conceivable that they may eventually allow multiple vendors to create their own hardware configurations for the platform.

If a team is this size and hasn’t delivered a proper game before, a botched launch like this is hardly surprising. You’d expect that with the resources at their disposal, they’d at least be able to get the fundamentals right, things like stability, core gameplay mechanics, and basic polish. I always wonder what teams of this scale are actually doing during development if they end up missing the mark on things that should be industry-standard by now. With a smaller indie team you could understand it, but with this budget and manpower, it really raises questions about priorities, management, and experience. Players deserve better.

@Questionable_Duck SOT felt like a good portable experience. And I like the typical non sensical Team Ninja take on the story.

@Ilyn I can totally see your point man and I agree for the most part. Still that combat kept me going!

I have it unplayed on PS5 and am not tempted to even get it on Xbox at a discount. 16 looks more like a bad sequel to Strangers of Paradise, which was an absolute blast to play imo.

That trailer of the Alters was quite intriguing I will be playing it asap.

I will just sell my gaming laptop and put the money towards this.
It's much more pocketable than a laptop so let's go.

I hope seeing OD and Everwild.

I need this to play with my 3 year old for on the go. Sadly 1+2 is not backward compatible on Switch. He enjoys THPS 1+2 on the Series X though.

I definitely had fun with the title. But it was expected I guess. It's a hard space to carve a piece of the pie.

@Nintendo4Sonic That is the exact reasoning why I never purchased one. If it's not supported for the follow up it's just a way to high investment imo.

@Kaloudz Yeah, the storage speeds are mostly necessary for S|X games to run properly. Slower drives can cause issues with loading assets in time. That said, I do think there are plenty of games that should run fine from external SSDs.

I use a USB hub with three NVMe drives (around 512GB to 1TB each) in USB enclosures, and they transfer games at about 2.64Gbps. If I want to play something, it only takes a minute or two to move it. Plus, re-downloading games at 1000Mbps isn't much of a hassle either.

For everything Microsoft does right, making storage expansion proprietary is easily their biggest misstep this generation. It’s actually something I have to applaud Sony for with the PS5—though they only learned that lesson after the PS Vita did pretty much the same thing.

It is still on the backlog. I'll wait for this update. Terrific news after the fiasco with the publisher that screwed them over the first time around.

DQ and Raido for me <3

Just make it optional so those who prefer their physical collections are satisfied. I went all-digital during the Xbox One generation—actually, even toward the end of the 360 era, I preferred buying digital. When the Backward Compatibility program kicked in, it was such a benefit.

Sorry but that Blizzard Arcade Collection is not gonna set anyone's world on fire.

I also like Monster Train for what it is. It plays well on mobile with as well.

Will it remain it's own entity or will it be combined with Grove Street Games who did the awful port? That's what I am curious about to be honest.

@Nexozi I still buy CDs since I don't like paying monthly for music. Also still have a CD player in the car. I downloaded the Media Player app through Edge by going to the Microsoft Store. It downloaded kn Xbox and I can play CDs while playing my games. It is still my go to medium for music except for on my mobile. But since I can just rip the CDs and deploy them anywhere it gives me a lot of flexibility. Also my 3 year old son loves putting in CDs and dance to it.

@dskatter yeah I do know the PS5 is capable of UHD blu-rays. I just worded it wrong in the first comment.

@Weebleman excuse my wording in my earlier statement. But what I’ve found is that the PS4 Pro doesn’t play UHD Blu-ray discs, even though Sony is a platform holder for Blu-ray. This is surprising, especially since Microsoft’s Xbox One S and Xbox One X included UHD Blu-ray playback at a lower price point. It seems Sony prioritized streaming services like Netflix over physical media, but this decision disappointed users who value the superior quality of UHD Blu-rays.

Additionally, both the PS4 and PS5 don’t support audio CDs, which I think is just silly. Earlier PlayStation models like the PS1, PS2, and PS3 supported audio CDs, so this omission feels like a step backward. While CDs may seem outdated, they’re still important to some users, and including this feature would have been a small yet appreciated bonus.

Why cut costs on such small features that could actually enhance the user experience? Decisions like these prioritize modern trends but come at the expense of versatility and backward compatibility, which is frustrating for loyal consumers.

The Xbox Series X stands out for prioritizing key features that matter to consumers. While PlayStation made cuts like removing CD playback and lacking UHD Blu-ray support on the PS4 and PS5, Xbox has maintained its focus on versatility, offering full disc drive compatibility and UHD Blu-ray support. The Xbox One S and X also set the standard for UHD support, while Sony lagged behind. Microsoft’s commitment to future-proofing their consoles shows they’re thinking ahead, offering lasting value for gamers who want more than just the basics.

Microsoft’s been putting a lot of effort into Japan in recent years, especially with their investments in AI and cloud tech, which is great to see. But when it comes to gaming, their track record in the Japanese market has always been a bit hit-or-miss. That said, they’ve shown they can partner with Japanese developers in the past, and there’s definitely potential there.

With how Nier: Automata blew up and really put the Drakengard series on the map for Western audiences, this feels like the perfect time for Microsoft to step in. If they’re serious about winning over Japanese gamers and offering unique experiences, securing an exclusivity window for a Drakengard reboot could be a game-changer. It’d appeal to the growing fanbase in the West and show they’re committed to bringing something special to both markets.

Microsoft only acquired Activision Blizzard King (ABK) on October 13, 2023. They've had just one year to set up their strategy. People often don't understand the complexities of obtaining licenses, publishing rights, and the hurdles involved before a product reaches consumers. Gamers tend to seek instant gratification, driven by their need for quick rewards.

Expecting all ABK games to be rolled into Game Pass in one fell swoop was never realistic. Managing intellectual property (IP) rights is a massive undertaking, especially for a company like ABK, which has pre-existing agreements and partnerships that can't be undone overnight. For example, Call of Duty has long-standing deals with platforms like PlayStation, which Microsoft had to honor as part of the acquisition process.

Additionally, Microsoft's acquisition of ABK wasn't just about games; it involved absorbing massive organizational structures across Activision, Blizzard, and King, each with its own leadership, teams, and goals. Integrating these entities into Microsoft's ecosystem, aligning workflows, and developing cohesive long-term plans is no small feat.

Game development itself is another factor—AAA games can take 3–5 years to develop, meaning any strategic changes initiated post-acquisition will take time to bear fruit. The focus on King's mobile gaming expertise (Candy Crush) also reflects Microsoft's larger vision for growth, which isn't just about console games but about expanding into new markets.

Finally, the regulatory challenges Microsoft faced during the acquisition process (from the FTC, CMA, and EU regulators) added further constraints. For instance, to address competition concerns, Microsoft committed to keeping Call of Duty on multiple platforms for at least 10 years, limiting its ability to make sweeping, immediate changes to the franchise.

In short, the expectations for instant results are disconnected from the realities of such a large-scale acquisition. It will take years to see the full impact of this deal on the gaming industry, but it's clear that the process involves much more than flipping a switch.

I am guessing a surprise release for Towerborne. I couldn't think of anything else.

I don’t understand why this is such a hot topic in the news or why everyone is acting so empathetic toward those losing their jobs. I’d say, focus on yourself. The gaming industry has experienced tremendous and ridiculously fast growth over the past 15 years. There’s a tipping point to what’s sustainable. With game budgets rising, it’s no surprise that developers and platform holders are looking to cut costs. Especially with Xbox and all the recent acquisitions, this was bound to happen since there’s too much overlap in positions anyway.

Killer Instinct alone made me go Xbox One. Easiest decision ever.

I feel so lucky that I can complete all the dailies at work, and it only takes around 30 to 45 minutes a day. However, I can see how the new reward system might be less engaging for many people. Personally, I'm glad there are no more achievements required.

@Banjo- I share your sentiment entirely.

Games should've become platform-agnostic last generation with the switch to x86 architecture. Release everything, everywhere, all at once, and be done with it. CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and books don't lock you out; you can enjoy these regardless of your player or glasses. Games are the only media form where this restriction still exists. Unless your hardware is truly unique, offering capabilities not possible on other platforms, like Nintendo does, does it really have any right to exist? And even then Nintendo doing two SKU's with the same library like a HomeBoy and a GameBoy come on man that would be the best of both worlds.

I'll just transfer CoD to my USB NVME drive for the time being.
I actually don't mind deleting games I don't actively play.
Redownloading is done in a jiffy.

I have both an S and X and I also think they should be discounted. But this console generation has been such a disaster price and availability wise I am afraid it will go back to normal next gen instead of this one.

@Ricky-Spanish it's a bit of a weird proposition with the price of a 1tb series S imo.

The first time where I think the series X and S are to close to eachother in price.

Discounting the series S even more would make it sell like hotcakes I think but that's a move better kept behind for once GTA 6 launches.

It's an underappreciated value for the Xbox ecosystem in my opinion.

I love developers supporting this feature so I can just play on my laptop whenever streaming is not sufficient when I am on the go.

I actually find this very commendable for developers. I understand not everybody has the resources to do so but it is appreciated none the less.

The hard part for me is that I use NVMe drives in USB enclosures, which let me copy games within minutes, and I’m fine with that solution. I’ve never been a fan of proprietary storage for consoles—it was a real mood killer for the PS Vita too. Plus, I'm not sure if investing in a storage module now means it’ll be compatible with future consoles. So, in the end, these workarounds work well enough for me.

I use Edge on all my devices. Just slinging any page from my mobile to any device is such an easy way to show stuff on the television.

@Darylb88 glad I could help and finally had a reason to create a profile

@Darylb88 Simply change the country abbreviation in the URL to the country where you live, and that way you can still download it. I changed it to NL-nl instead of https://www.xbox.com/ko-kr/ make it https://www.xbox.com/EN-gb.

Here's the link in full for you https://www.xbox.com/En-gb/games/store/%EB%A9%94%ED%83%80%ED%8F%AC-%EB%A6%AC%ED%8C%90%ED%83%80%EC%A7%80%EC%98%A4-%ED%94%84%EB%A1%A4%EB%A1%9C%EA%B7%B8-%EC%B2%B4%ED%97%98%ED%8C%90/9nwnddxtzh6d