Defining Duke: An Xbox Podcast

#202 | Xbox Is Done Hiding It - No More Exclusives? Nov 17, 2024

Today's main topic would have set the internet on fire earlier this year. Xbox's complete admission of a mutli-platform push, delayed handheld and mobile plans, as well as a desire to acquire more studios? Team Green is typically in a meltdown state by this point, but this time around, the news was met with indifference. Why is that the case? Well, for one, many who paid close attention to Xbox's actions, or even lack of action, knew that all this was inevitable. Xbox is seemingly abandoning its exclusive games initiative as Phil Spencer has stated there isn't a red line for quite literally any first party game in its stable. The Dukes break down his comments alongside the third party scene to see if there is any vindication for the Xbox leader's words earlier this year. Long anticipated was a Xbox handheld, but with Phil confirming that it's years out, where will this leave Xbox if they are the last to enter the ring as a handheld competitor? Steam, Logitech, Nintendo, PlayStation, ASUS, and so many others have brought their own ideas to the market with varying degrees of reception. Can Xbox succeed in an inevitably saturated market where players have already made their choice by the point they show up? The Dukes hash it out! Plus a deep dive into Indiana Jones's new gameplay, Halo 2's famous E3 demo is now playable, OG voice actors are returning for Gears E-Day, and so much more in one of our biggest episodes of the year!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:01:57 - Health Is Wealth

0:15:25 - Game Dev Talk

0:20:06 - John Dimaggio and Carlos Ferro are returning for Gears Of Way E-Day to voice Dom and Marcus

0:22:14 - The Halo 2 E3 2003 demo

0:25:32 - Death Stranding is now available on Xbox

0:31:44 - Indiana Jones & The Great Circle gameplay deep dive

0:39:29 - South Of Midnight previews are out

0:46:22 - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has gone gold

0:56:20 - Phil Spencer on future Fallout games

1:05:14 - Black Ops 6 is collabing with Halo, Gears, and DOOM?

1:07:04 - Spyro Reignited Trilogy is now available in Xbox Game Pass

1:07:37 - Warner Bros is plummeting

1:15:29 - GOG announces game preservation program

1:21:30 - SEGA is delisting a ton of retro classics

1:27:38 - 2K opens up on future games lineup

1:32:54 - GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition gets a surprise update

1:34:28 - Tom Henderson’s report on Ubisoft’s Project U

1:39:23 - Sea Of Stars gets a massive free update

1:46:28 - Hideaki Itsuno joins Tencent

1:52:17 - Why exactly did Konami choose MGS3 for a remake?

1:55:24 - A Mass Effect TV series is in development at Amazon

2:05:41 - What We’re Playing

2:53:16 - Phil Spencer tells all in an interview with Bloomberg

3:39:05 - Bethesda goes on strike

3:46:14 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

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#201 | The Numbers Are In... - Is Game Pass SAVED? | The Numbers Are IN... - Is Xbox Hardware Dying? Nov 10, 2024

In a week with minimal major beats, the Dukes are able to sink their teeth into a plethora of smaller topics such as Xbox's recruitment of Insomniac's creative director, the fate of PlayStation's Wolverine project, and what this means for Perfect Dark! Furthermore, we try our hand at some data analysis by breaking down the early numbers for Call Of Duty and what impact this can have on Game Pass as well as its future. Indeed, many including us still believe that Black Ops 6 needs to be an absolute smash hit to justify Xbox's tampering with its golden goose. So, what does the limited data say and how does it fare for Xbox? We discuss that, plus more in Remedy's puzzling financial situation, BioWare's uncertain future, Ubisoft's response to recent criticism, and Monster Hunter Wilds smashing records with its beta.

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:06:02 - A new creative director for Perfect Dark

0:13:50 - Xbox showing new hardware in 2025?

0:25:02 - HoYoverse is bringing Zenless Zone Zero to Xbox?

0:26:19 - The future of Gears

0:34:05 - Arkane Studios founder speaks out against Xbox

0:40:37 - Dragon Age: The Veilguard is not getting DLC

0:44:25 - Is Dragon Age getting a Legendary Edition?

0:50:11 - Some updates in the world of Ubisoft

0:59:22 - Monster Hunter Wilds has insane beta numbers

1:01:02 - Remedy's financial situation

1:07:15 - LEGO Horizon Adventures length revealed

1:10:46 - A sequel to HogLeg is in development

1:13:08 - Kingdom Come Deliverance has sold over 8 million units

1:16:24 - Meta’s staggering earnings

1:24:53 - Private Division has been sold off by 2K

1:26:07 - SEGA confirms a new Virtua Fighter game

1:28:44 - What We’re Playing

1:59:50 - Call Of Duty updates

2:15:59 - Some Undead Labs updates

2:18:57 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass

2:25:19 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

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#200 | Xbox's Big Bet On Black Ops 6 - Did It Deliver?! Nov 03, 2024

The annual Call Of Duty release is here and it's a remarkable improvement from Modern Warfare 3! From the blockbuster campaign crafted by the underrated hands at Raven Software to its multiplayer and zombies that the Dukes have some mild concerns with. It's also the week that, for many, can define a lot of Xbox's big business decisions moving forward as well! With Game Pass subscribers stagnating a bit, many have looked to this Call Of Duty as the shot in the arm it needs to keep its stellar offering going. Keep in mind, the Game Pass tiers saw a major shift ahead of this release with some feeling like day one Game Pass releases may soon be off the table if this bet doesn't pan out. While the numbers aren't in yet, things are looking solid and the Dukes have much to talk about in this area! Plus more with Indiana Jones' framerate, updates on the tone of the next Mass Effect, Concord being shut down, and so much more!

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#199 | Bethesda's Big Miss On Fallout Day Oct 27, 2024

As every October 23rd comes around, Fallout fans are reminded of the missed opportunity for Bethesda to have their own "N7 Day" with the franchise. Well, 2024 is the year they finally took action and put fan demands into motion! What took place is, quite frankly, a whole lot of nothing. The Dukes sift through the fallout (!) of this showcase and what Bethesda can do to make 2025's showing a much better, more worthwhile one. While it's Fallout Day, it also appears to be Digital Day for Xbox! 91% of US players are buying games digitally and half of Xbox's customers have bought into their discless console. Has Xbox's push into cloud gaming and Game Pass been vindicated in light of these statistics? Plus, we have info on 2025's Call Of Duty the very week that Black Ops 6 drops! What does Activision have in store for us? More changes, it seems! We also get into the Banjo Kazooie kerfuffle, Helldivers 2 on Xbox, Cog's love of Metaphor, the surprise that is TMNT: Mutants Unleashed, and plenty more!

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#198 | That Was... Something... - Our Reaction To Xbox's 2024 Partner Preview Oct 20, 2024

No, you're not imagining it! We have been getting a LOT of Xbox showcases as of late. Just weeks removed from their Tokyo Game Show panel and they have returned once more with a Partner Preview that ran for almost thirty minutes. Before that was Gamescom and before THAT was their massive summer show. Joining the Dukes are LSM's very own Gene Park and Bradley Ellis to discuss all the announcements and gameplay (or lack thereof) during the Partner Preview. Did it deliver like prior Xbox shows or was it a bit of a nothing burger? Naturally, we get into that. We also discuss Xbox Game Studios' new lead as well as rounding out our latest criticism of Bethesda, Metaphor's impressive sales, Destiny Rising, and the future of Xbox's streaming tech!

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#197 | Goodbye 343 Industries, Hello Halo Studios! Oct 13, 2024

Following the post launch support of Halo Infinite, 343 Industries has become one of Xbox's more divisive first party studios. The leash for them has been unnaturally long given the ups-and-downs the flagship franchise has seen since they've taken up the Halo mantle beginning with Combat Evolved Anniversary and, now, Xbox is doubling down on the team. Joining us is resident Halo expert, Chris Ray Gun, to discuss the absolutely massive news that broke this week. Not only is 343 Industries rebranding, but all future games will be made on Unreal Engine 5, they're hiring after a massive amount of layoffs, and there are multiple Halo projects in development. One such project beyond the obvious next mainline entry is rumored to be Halo Combat Evolved Remaster. The Dukes plus Chris get into this very familiar path that Halo Studios is now walking plus the daunting challenge that lies before them

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#196 | Our Starfield: Shattered Space Review Is HERE - Did It Deliver?! Oct 06, 2024

Starfield faced a mighty amount of criticism throughout its 2023 launch. In today's gaming climate, this set the stage for what could be a big comeback for Bethesda Game Studios with the Shattered Space expansion. So, did it deliver? Matty has played 16 hours and finished it with Cog just getting his adventure started, so they both have much to say!

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#195 | Xbox Is FINALLY Getting Some JRPG Love... Sep 29, 2024

On the week of September 22nd, the games industry was blessed with not one, but two showcases! Today, the Dukes dive into both the State Of Play and Xbox's Tokyo Game Show 2024 presentation. With the State Of Play, much was announced for the Xbox platform! As for Tokyo Game Show, Xbox is showing that developers of all sizes are looking to support the "challenger brand." While the presentation was absent of any major reveals, games such as Threads Of Time or the long desired Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster did get us excited! Beyond the minor showcases, we also dive into the latest for Assassin's Creed Shadows where the writing is on the wall here with Ubisoft. It's clearly a do-or-die situation for them and based on their recent statement to investors, this game absolutely must perform. Will the delay help and how deep do Ubisoft's issues run? We get into just that plus a new Yakuza game, Xbox's 25th anniversary, Metaphor Re:Fantazio's demo, and much more!

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#194 | Starfield DLC Looks Mighty Fine + Exclusive Ara History Untold Interview Sep 22, 2024

This week's episode is quite the unorthodox one! In the spirit of our friends over at the Friends Per Second podcast, we've split this episode between our usual news coverage and a fun interview the Dukes has the opportunity to conduct! Joining us this episode are Gabriela Leskur and Brian Stone. Gariela is the Narrative and Experience Lead at Oxide Games and Brian serves as Product Leader and Head Of Engineering at Xbox Game Studios Publishing. Together, these two answer our burning questions about the upcoming historical turn-based strategy game. Furthermore, we dive into the thick of Starfield's Shattered Space preview which gives us nearly ten minutes of gameplay to understand just what this is. Fortunately, it appears to be a direct response to much of the criticism laid at Bethesda's feet last fall. We also get into what may be going on with Tony Hawk, Marathon possibly being $40, more layoffs at Xbox, their strong dependence on Call Of Duty, and much more!

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# 193 | The PS5 Pro Is HERE - Did Xbox Dodge A Bullet? Sep 15, 2024

Much has been said about Xbox's lack of desire to do a mid-generation refresh. For some, it symbolizes the platform's lack of care for the future of its own hardware and, for others, a sign that the green team has their eyes on the next generation instead. In a surprise move, it is not Xbox who stepped on the rake this week! PlayStation has sneakily experienced a troublesome year much like Xbox between Concord, the rollercoaster ride that is Helldivers 2, and now the pricing of the PlayStation 5 pro. Of all our write-ins this week, 90% were asking one question: Did Xbox dodge a bullet by not going down this hardware rabbit hole? Naturally, the Dukes debate and discuss the ins-and-outs of this initially innocent announcement from PlayStation. In other news, Xbox will be returning to Japan for their own Tokyo Game Show event in 2024 and State Of Decay 2 support is finally over! We also get into the exclusivity situation surrounding Black Myth Wukong, the return of some classic Transformers games, and plenty more!

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#192 | Is Xbox Worth It In 2024?! Sep 08, 2024

The Dukes are off to San Diego and that means we had to get a little crafty compared to our usual episodes! Since we’re recording in advance, we forged an episode in the spirit of Defining Duke Ultimate and leaned heavily into one topic: the Series X/S generation thus far. Easily our most asked question is whether or not to dive into a Xbox at this point, so we dedicated an entire episode to the idea! Matty and Cog sift through every first party release and discuss the highs and lows they’ve brought. Furthermore, we analyze every Day 1 Game Pass drop since the service began introducing third party with Outriders. We also happily indulge in another conversation of where Xbox could stand to improve and even what could be green lit to shift some of the optics around the brand. Indeed, this is the all-encompassing conversation on Xbox’s star in 2024 and we hope you do enjoy!

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#191 | It's Time To Talk About The Future Of Xbox Exclusives... Sep 01, 2024

As always, we like to source questions, comments, and concerns from our lovely audience each and every week. Many times, that alone defines the theme of the episode and that's certainly the case here. Following the news of Indiana Jones headed to PS5, plenty of Xbox fans have been left flat-footed. What does this mean for the future of the console's exclusives and will any of their competitors follow suit? Phil Spencer has shared his thoughts on the matter and now it's time for the Dukes to chime in!

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#190 | We Played A TON Of Xbox Games Early (And In-Person) Aug 25, 2024

For the first time ever, the Dukes are gathering in person to record an episode! What a time for it to happen too as we have plenty to discuss. For starters, we’re got our hands on a plethora of upcoming Xbox titles. Avowed, Ara History Untold, Towerborne, Atomfall, Metaphor Re Fantazio, and plenty more! As we were on site, we even had a chance to speak with a ton of the devs meaning we have added insight beyond the games themselves. Beyond the scoops, we naturally have to discuss the Indy situation as the game has been announced for PlayStation. We knew multi-platform was Xbox’s future, but this was quite an aggressive move. How do the Dukes feel about such a play from the green team? Naturally, we have much to say on top of the announcements at Opening Night Live itself.

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#189 | Xbox Did WHAT?! - Hi Fi Rush & Tango Gameworks Are BACK! Aug 18, 2024

In a year chockful of layoffs and studio closures, we needed a W like this. What was originally considered one of the biggest losses amidst these changes was Xbox's closure of Tango Gameworks. Originally known for survival horror titles, Tango stormed out the gate last year with the beloved action rhythm game, Hi Fi Rush, to critical acclaim. Krafton seems to have liked the numbers they saw because they've stepped in to take Tango and the Hi Fi Rush IP off Xbox's hands. While The Evil Within and Ghostwire Tokyo remain in the hands of Xbox, the people's champion lives to fight another day. Naturally, the Dukes have plenty of thoughts. It's still a loss of talent for Xbox at the end of the day, so is there more to a partnership here? What happens to the lingering IP from Tango? We dive into the jaw dropping news and an otherwise slower news week.

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#188 | Avowed Just Got DELAYED... - What's Next? Aug 11, 2024

Avowed is getting moved back to February 18, 2025 out of respect for our backlogs. How kind of Xbox to do such a thing! Avowed was a subject of much debate for the Dukes. While the game looked solid coming out of the January Developer Direct, it clearly needed more time. Come June, Avowed looked to be in much better shape and has now found itself a new date away from the noise of the holiday season. This sets up Xbox for a rare top quarter of the year game, a second for them in this generation. The Dukes settle into what this means for the roadmap moving forward and if it spells any trouble for the anticipated fantasy RPG.

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#187 | The Numbers Are IN... - Is Xbox Hardware Dying? Aug 04, 2024

The results for Microsoft Gaming's FY24 Q4 is in and it's mighty telling of where the company is at. On one hand, Xbox is making more money than ever before, but it's come at the loss of hardware sales which are down a staggering 42% YOY. Can Xbox afford to keep this trend up in a world not yet ready for digital only? According to Microsoft CFO Amy Hood, this is all well and fine as the company marches toward content and services. The Dukes dive into all the numbers, including Activision's ability to make the entirety of Xbox a boatload of money in spite of the remaining parts of Xbox plateauing. We also dig into the newest Starborn trademark, Bungie's daunting task ahead of them after massive layoffs once more, and plenty of other subjects in yet another busy week!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:33:22 - World Of Warcraft team are unionizing

0:38:39 - Stalker 2 delayed to November 20th

0:44:37 - A new Playground Games studio has opened

0:47:44 - Some Game Pass leaks

0:51:31 - Halo Infinite’s Operation Fleetcom details

0:53:06 - Double Fine’s “PsychOdyssey” documentary is getting a blu-ray release

0:56:01 - New Xbox transparent controller revealed

0:57:46 - 500K players for Flintlock: Siege Of Dawn

1:00:06 - What is happening at Bungie?!

1:24:06 - An open world Patrick Star game has leaked

1:27:34 - Legacy Of Kain 1 and 2 remastered spotted at SDCC

1:29:42 - Visions Of Mana demo available now

1:30:37 - Wildermyth comes to consoles on October 22 this year

1:32:18 - Dragon Age Veilguard Steam details

1:35:34 - Mortal Kombat 1 “Khaos Reigns” and Kombat Pack 2 revealed

1:40:56 - What We’re Playing

2:16:09 - Microsoft Gaming FY24 Q4 results

2:38:12 - Starborn Zenimax trademark

2:40:33 - An update on the Xbox-Capcom issues

2:42:53 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

2:49:15 - Our Xbox 360 Memories

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#186 | The Games Industry Is Deteriorating Jul 28, 2024

AI, layoffs, restructuring, and so on. Indeed, we're in the midst of interesting times for our beloved industry, but the clash between creator and executive has never been greater. Jobs are being lost to AI as we expected, but it's happening now. Not later, but now. Every publishing label is claiming that times are tough, but no adjustments on spending has been made. As the industry continues to bleed talent, who will want to join it? This subject matter is the very heartbeat of this episode as the Dukes collectively recognize the missteps being made. So, how do things get better? What can be done to improve an industry controlled by misers? The Dukes have thoughts and hopes such as unionization which is what Bethesda Game Studios has recently done. We also hear from our old friends again at the FTC on how Game Pass Standard is losing its value and what the source of Xbox's faltering marketing initiative is.

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Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro/Patron Write-Ins

0:34:02 - Quiet: Level One kickstarter from Jonah Lobe

0:37:12 - Elder Scrolls VI has a strange leak

0:42:39 - Xbox working on cloud only version of Game Pass?

0:47:15 - MW3 officially on Game Pass

1:07:27 - Dungeons of Hinterberg dev needs your help

1:14:57 - Halo TV Show canceled by Paramount+

1:25:24 - Halo Combat Devolved gameplay

1:27:13 - Tales Of Xillia Remastered leaks

1:32:00 - Heihachi announced for Tekken 8 at EVO

1:41:12 - First Player Games has been acquired by Warner Bros Games

1:49:12 - Multiple games are skipping Xbox

1:56:11 - Shadows Of The Damned: Hella Remastered returns this Halloween

1:57:03 - Humble Games is undergoing restructuring

2:01:57 - What We’re Playing

2:25:40 - The FTC criticizes Game Pass changes

2:36:13 - Xbox's Marketing isn't blessed like Sony... Says Xbox...

2:52:37 - Bethesda Game Studios has unionized

2:58:15 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

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#185 | The Game Pass Aftermath Jul 21, 2024

A rather peaceful July continues on as we dig through the aftermath of Xbox's major changes to Game Pass. For starters, we now have clarity on the wait for Day 1 games in the service at the standard tier and those who remain will be seemingly waiting a long time for their shiny games to arrive. Furthermore, Xbox is potentially pulling out of regions like Europe, Africa, and the Middle East when it comes to their consoles. With all these parts of the business shifting in real time, many are trying to predict where Xbox will be at the end of all these changes. Well, much of it hinges on Call Of Duty which is tying its beta to Game Pass subscribers. Indeed, it's a different Xbox we're looking at in 2024! Does this new Xbox consider Crash 5 important enough to resurrect? How cutthroat shall they be with 343 in their next Halo? There is quite a bit to discuss, so enough briefing and let's get to chatting!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:16:10 - Microsoft Rewards not fueling Game Pass?

0:19:23 - Amazon is now selling a Xbox Streaming bundle

0:31:09 - Microsoft releases dynamic Xbox 360 blades background

0:37:26 - Forza Horizon 5 has reached 40 million players

0:44:35 - TMNT: Mutants Unleashed gameplay revealed

1:00:23 - Yakuza developer announcing their next game at Tokyo Game Show

1:07:15 - A sequel to Aliens Fireteam Elite leaks

1:09:36 - Deadpool controller

1:11:09 - What We’re Playing

1:49:51 - Crash Bandicoot 5

1:57:38 - Day 1 Game Pass clarification from Jez Corden

2:04:59 - Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 beta details

2:09:46 - Xbox marketing is possibly exiting some regions

2:16:10 - Xbox GeForce Now integration available now

2:18:24 - What's going on with Halo's future?

2:39:04 - Microsoft is reportedly moving on from their DEI teams

2:52:50 - Leaving Game Pass soon

2:54:22 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

3:01:34 - What system do we grow our game library on?

3:12:48 - Wrap-up

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#184 | The Xbox Game Pass Squeeze FINALLY Happened... Jul 14, 2024

After years of conversation on the topic, Xbox has finally made long anticipated adjustments to its popular subscription service. Day one Game Pass games are gone from its standard tier and all have seen a price hike. The conversation naturally navigates itself to the "why" in this situation. All subscription services go up whether it's Netflix, Disney+, or Spotify. Is it because of Black Ops 6 impending? Is Day One Game Pass hurting Xbox? Is $20 enough to stop any form of bleeding with that in mind? Are they extracting maximum value from the service at its peak? Are they setting a newer, higher standard for the batch of new subscribers that will join with the launch of a new Call Of Duty game? There's many ways for us to assess, so we'll comb through all of them carefully! Furthermore, we have details on Hellblade 2's performance on the market. From sales to engagement, there are question marks about what this game has done for the platform, so the Dukes dissect what information Circana has provided on that matter. Plus more on Banjo Kazooie, LEGO Horizon on Xbox, the questionable Fire Stick TV ad, Bioshock updates, Dragon Age: Veilguard romance options, and plenty more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:31:56 - Banjo Kazooie rumors

0:38:41 - Guerilla Games on Xbox version of LEGO Horizon Adventures

0:42:38 - Atlas Fallen coming to Game Pass?

0:44:48 - Xbox summer sale 2024 is live now

0:46:35 - Cities Skylines 2 will be missing its Xbox console release

0:49:21 - Xbox Amazon Fire Stick TV ad

0:54:20 - Cloud Chamber is heavily recruiting for BioShock

0:56:28 - Dragon Age: Veilguard romance details

1:02:46 - Star Wars: Outlaws planet details

1:04:58 - Piranha Bytes is the latest studio to be shutdown by Embracer

1:07:45 - New Yakuza Game?

1:12:07 - Bleach Rebirth Of Souls announced

1:17:07 - What We’re Playing

1:41:54 - How do we celebrate our birthdays?

1:47:48 - What Xbox franchise could get a Lego version?

1:50:06 - Will Metaphor: ReFantazio get an enhanced edition?

1:50:55 - Game Pass Changes

2:31:46 - Xbox's Hardware and Software sales

3:04:41 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

3:10:41 - How would we improve our recording area?

3:19:30 - Wrap Up

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#183 | Wowed By Avowed Jul 07, 2024

It's finally a slow news week which means we get to settle into some stories that we'd typically breeze over! Leading the charge this week is Avowed which continues to sound amazing! With new details from director Carrie Patel, the Dukes settle into a discuss about character building, choice and consequence, and the oft-debated romance. Alongside that, rumors of Activision games arriving on Game Pass are starting to percolate to the top as the Transformers games have been relisted. At the same time, we are hearing how games like Crash and Tony Hawk are due out on Game Pass shortly. What does the cadence of release look like for Activision's catalogue and how does Xbox handle the licensed, backwards compatible games? There's plenty of room for a discussion there, so let's have one! Plus more Xbox's handheld UI, Assassin's Creed Remakes inbound, Xbox Cloud Gaming arriving on Amazon Fire TV sticks, and much more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 Intro and write-ins

0:32:37 Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming to Amazon fire TV Sticks

0:37:53 Activision Transformer games relisted, currently unavailable for purchase

0:46:32 Lost Odyssey remaster dream is dead

0:51:47 Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster release date

0:57:37 A new Resident Evil is in development

0:59:45 Dragon’s Dogma 2 performance update

1:02:16 Ubisoft is remaking multiple Assassins Creed games

1:07:44 Star Wars Bounty Hunter is coming to Xbox

1:12:57 Shadow of the Erdtree has sold 5 million copies

1:15:04 Flintlock Siege Of Dawn has gone gold

1:17:00 Crazy Taxi update from SEGA

1:21:59 What We’re Playing

2:00:56 Avowed interview

2:17:42 What's this Xbox mobile dashboard?

2:24:01 Activision Games to Game Pass soon

2:30:39 Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass

2:36:19 Game Pass Pick Of The Week

2:39:12 Another Mt Rushmore

2:53:31 Wrapup

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#182 | Todd Howard Tells All On Bethesda's Future... Jun 30, 2024

In a relatively slow week, we're able to settle into a major interview conducted by Variety with the one and only, Matt Booty. Sitting as Xbox Game Content and Studios President, Matt Booty was a major factor behind Xbox's decision to shut down four Bethesda studios. In the brand's third attempt to answer the deeper reasoning behind these closures, we get a few more breadcrumbs that leave room for assumption on the matter. Alongside that, Booty speaks on the Xbox exclusive situation with remains relatively unclear moving into the future. Plus more on Forza Horizon 4's delisting, Hellblade 2 initial sales, and more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:14:25 - Forza Horizon 4 being delisted

0:24:43 - Avowed is fully playable in third person

0:29:16 - Harvey Smith on Redfall’s final update

0:32:07 - Xbox's statement on Black Myth Wukong

0:39:24 - Bethesda Game Studios Montreal is unionizing

0:44:52 - Hellblade 2 fails to crack top 100 sales in Europe

0:53:49 - Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed release date

0:57:20 - Katsuhiro Harada on why Soul Calibur disappeared

1:10:26 - Jet Set Radio Remake leaks online

1:17:55 - BioWare on Dragon Age Veilguard’s name change

1:20:34 - What We’re Playing

1:47:13 - Warm Up Question

01:57:42 - Matt Booty interview with Variety

02:43:06 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

02:51:40 - Ending Question

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#181 | Todd Howard Tells All On Bethesda's Future... Jun 23, 2024

Well, this is a first. Matty had the opportunity to sit down with Bethesda Game Studios lead Todd Howard to discuss everything from Starfield and Elder Scrolls VI to Fallout and the company's shifting design philosophies! In an otherwise slow news week, the Dukes sink into all Todd had to share with Matty. What's going on with Fallout ports or New Vegas? How far along is Elder Scrolls VI and what technology is being used to build it? What's going on with Starfield Year 2 and will it be supported longer than prior BGS games? He shares a lot, so let's talk a lot!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:17:22 - BO6 file size

0:18:42 - Multiple games announced for Xbox at the June 2024 Nintendo Direct

0:33:40 - Sea Of Thieves sales are insane on PlayStation

0:36:07 - Xbox release date rumors

0:43:17 - New Gears E-Day Details

0:50:56 - State Of Decay 3 release window rumor

0:56:10 - Forza Horizon 5 gets a “Universal Icons Car Pack”

0:56:31 - Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP

0:57:01 - Alone In The Dark Studio “Pieces Interactive” has been shutdown by Embracer

0:58:06 - What We’re Playing

1:21:49 - Finishing games

1:33:45 - Todd Howard Interview recap

2:34:40 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass

2:37:46 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

2:43:41 - Ending

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#180 | Xbox Is STACKED For 2024 - What's Next?! Jun 16, 2024

If there's one thing that the Xbox Showcase taught us, it's that Xbox has a lot ready to release soon. Perhaps, even, too many! As Cog aptly puts it, Xbox has an abundance of riches and we're keen on seeing how they spread the wealth. Will Xbox go all in with a line up of Shattered Space, Black Ops 6, Avowed, Indy, and Starfield DLC? It's hard to tell as the team seems to be playing a wait and see approach, but there's no denying the sense of corner finally being turned. Plus more on an Xbox handheld, more games eventually leaving the platform, deep dives into State Of Decay 3 and Avowed, plus much more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:29:02 - The latest on Black Ops 6

0:32:49 - Eidos Montreal is supporting Fable

0:38:09 - New Gears Of War: E-Day details

0:44:59 - How DOOM: The Dark Ages Feels, According to ID

0:49:59 - New State of Decay 3 detail

0:57:58 - Starfield June Update details

1:03:27 - Avowed director on Obsidian's future

1:07:04 -Ara History Untold gets a release date

1:09:36 - Xbox might have a big Gamescom show

1:15:29 - Dragon Age: The Veilguard gameplay reveal

1:36:33 - Visions Of Mana gets a release date

1:37:11 - Star Wars Outlaws details

1:43:13 - What We’re Playing

2:06:35 - Where is the ABK Game Pass drop?

2:12:22 - What do the Xbox execs do now?

2:19:31 - Phil Spencer interview on Xbox Handheld, Third Party Games, & More

2:51:02 - A massive deep dive on Avowed

3:09:14 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

3:14:11 - Ending

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#179 | That Was STELLAR - Our Reaction To Xbox's 2024 Showcase Jun 10, 2024

After months of dooming, Xbos fans needed a big win. In the humble opinion of the Dukes, Xbox absolutely delivered on all levels. Missing games finally received needed updates with Perfect Dark and State Of Decay 3. The Coalition finally gets the spotlight in a shocking Gears announcement: a prequel set during E-Day! Furthermore, tons of third parties showed up in a big way from a new Life Is Strange featuring Max Caufield to a stunning turn-based gem in Expedition 33. Returning games like Fable, Avowed, South Of Midnight, and Indiana Jones among others all showed out! Truly, it was one for the books, so join us as we recap one of the best ever showcases to go down in gaming.

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#178 | Our Xbox Games Showcase 2024 Predictions... Jun 02, 2024

The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 is soon upon us meaning it's time to unite with Xbox Two for our annual predictions show! Joining us is Rand Al Thor 19 to dissect what feels like another "must win" situation for Xbox. As per usual, we run down the multitude of first party studios, now including Activision, and debate heavily what will make the cut. Will they renew their vows with hardware? Can Xbox manage to massage concerns surrounding some of their lingering games like Perfect Dark and State Of Decay 3? What surprises can they bring to the table?

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#177 | Our Hellblade 2 Review Is HERE - Did It Deliver?! May 26, 2024

The next major release in Xbox's first party family has arrived! Senua's Saga: Hellblade II has seen an increased amount of pressure placed upon it as concern for the platform holder as ramped up. Stripping ourselves from the heightened emotionality of that situation, how does over five years of development, a team size four times bigger than the original, and a big Microsoft check benefit the newest entry in the Hellblade series? The Dukes are joined by Gene Park where all three were able to play through the game a week ahead of its launch and let their thoughts marinate. Sitting at an 82 on OpenCritic, Hellblade 2 is off to a solid start, but where do the Dukes sit? Well, it's time to dig deep and find out!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:06:00 - Ninja Theory's next game greenlit

0:15:57 - Xbox games to PS5

0:20:38 - Xbox 360 JRPGs

0:26:39 - Lies of P DLC confirmed for second half of 2024

0:30:34 - GTA 6 launches Fall 2025

0:35:53 - Star Wars Total War game coming from Creative Assembly

0:39:47 - Assassin’s Creed Shadows revealed

0:56:09 - Valve’s Deadlock leaked

1:00:15 - Larian opens up new studio

1:03:39 - Kingdom Hearts comes to Steam on June 13th

1:11:55 - IGN acquires a ton of gaming news outlets

1:20:19 - What We’re Playing

3:11:03 - Activision opens studio called Elsewhere

3:20:16 - Call Of Duty to Game Pass is all but confirmed

3:33:36 - Final updates for Redfall and Hi Fi Rush

3:37:53 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

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#176 | Xbox Responds to the Studio Shutdowns... May 19, 2024

The dust has settled since Xbox closed four different Bethesda studios. Many expected the team to go into hiding as there is no good answer for this outcome, but they did the opposite. Xbox President Sarah Bond showed up to a Bloomberg interview and gave a mind boggling non-answer that has sent this already wounded fanbase into another outrage. Naturally, the Dukes dive into this as well as your many questions about how the optics have shifted for the Xbox business moving forward. We also dive deep into the dramatic changes that Square Enix has undergone wher they have now moved into a multi-platform approach. What Square Enix games are headed to Xbox and when? The Dukes dig into to find out. Plus more on Perfect Dark and State Of Decay 3's status, Assassin's Creed Shadows, SEGA's plans for Persona, and so much more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:14:59 - Jeff Grubb's report on Perfect Dark, Gears 6, and Dragon Age

0:25:00 - Square Enix reveals multiplatform strategy

0:44:40 - Hi Fi Rush update from Limited Run Games

0:45:01 - Jez Corden has heard that State Of Decay 3 is looking very good

0:47:10 - SEGA is annualizing Persona, Yakuza, and Sonic

0:54:13 - Assassins Creed Shadows revealed

1:00:01 - Activision appears to be working on a new IP

1:01:44 - EA is considering putting ads in games

1:06:44 - ROG Ally X announced

1:12:41 - Suicide Squad was more costly than we thought

1:14:38 - Jake Solomon (XCOM, Midnight Suns) opens new studio

1:20:00 - Xbox is adding the ability to pre download updates

1:23:16 - Fallout 4's update gets a patch

1:25:34 - What We’re Playing

1:38:12 - Hellblade 2 gutcheck

2:01:46 - Cog on Xbox Leadership

2:18:34 - Selective outrage with studio closures

2:30:50 - The Dukes thoughts on the importance of "Xbox engagement"

2:46:12 - Sarah Bond’s interview with Bloomberg

3:23:18 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass…

3:26:24 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

03:30:40 - Wrap up

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#175 | Beware Evil Villain Xbox... - Four Bethesda Studios SHUT DOWN! May 12, 2024

A nightmare year for Xbox continues. The latest chapter in this story is Xbox's shuttering of four Bethesda studios in Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin, Roundhouse Studios, and Alpha Dog Games. The message is clear that the experimenting days of Xbox are done as the strategy deployed by its leaders continues to fail. The focus is Call Of Duty, Fallout, DOOM, and other high profile titles while the future of surrounding creative studios like Obsidian, Compulsion, Ninja Theory, and others have uncertainty beginning to cloud them. It serves as yet another powder keg moment for the brand where fan patience has run out. Is it time for the Phil Spencer era to end? How is Hi Fi Rush considered a hit yet its studio is shutdown? Why is the leash so short for teams like Arkane Austin while 343 and The Initiative can afford to waste precious resources? Is it even possible for Xbox to restore the faith at this point? You have many questions, so do we, and one thing is for sure: Xbox is still finding out the answers to all of them.

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:03:47 - What We’re Playing

0:32:09 - Xbox shuts down four Bethesda Studios

2:40:49 - Game Pass Pick of the Week

2:43:03 - Looking ahead to the Xbox Showcase

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#174 | Bethesda Bends The Knee To Fallout... May 05, 2024

Following the Fallout TV show's massive success, the clamoring for a new game has never been louder. This isn't Bethesda's first rodeo with such demands. However, with a new owner and the most eyes ever on the product, Todd Howard has finally said that they are investigating ways to deliver more Fallout games. What would a roadmap for Fallout look like in the near, mid, and long term? The Dukes aim to break down what looks to be a busy few years for Bethesda. That's because it's not just Fallout, but Starfield that is also gaining traction! Almost eight months after its launch and things were admittedly starting to look bleak after few content additions have been made. With the May update, it finally is gaining momentum with peeks at land vehicles, Shattered Space, and more! Plus more on Xbox's summer showcase being announced, what the mysterious Developer Direct game will be, Xbox's plummeting hardware sales, and so much more in a jam packed week!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:10:49 - Starfield's Insane May Update

0:32:56 - Fallout is collaborating with Call Of Duty

0:35:38 - Xbox's Hardware Plummets

0:46:41 - Id@Xbox x IGN showcase recap

1:03:00 - Watch Dogs is dead and buried

1:07:33 - Updates on Remedy

1:12:49 - Square Enix undergoes major business shifts

1:20:04 - Tekken Season 1 update

1:26:33 - Hasbro’s leap into AAA

1:35:18 - What We’re Playing

2:07:37 - Xbox Games Showcase

2:41:09 - Todd Howard interview

3:00:24 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass

3:02:03 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

3:04:58 - Dealing with game criticism

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#173 | We Are The Metaphors, The True Gamers Apr 28, 2024

ATLUS has shown out once again in what has been a phenomenal roll for the company. With a 20+ minute showcase under our belts, Metaphor: ReFantazio is looking absolutely fantastic. More importantly, it's not just fantasy Persona, but aims to be much more and potentially far more complicated. The Dukes dissect this incredible looking JRPG, mull over what it means for Persona 6, as well as overstate the importance of Xbox having the marketing for this will be. Naturally, we continue to talk about Fallout as we see the franchise continue to hit unbelievable metrics. Perhaps more shocking is that Fallout 76 has seen a tremendous bounceback unto itself with positivity beginning to surround the game for the first time since its Steam launch in 2020. Plus more on Starfield updates, game preservation, Kena: Bridge Of Spirits coming to Xbox, and much more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:14:01 - Fallout Season 2

0:19:18 - Fallout games are thriving

0:39:27 - Game publishers won’t support libraries for preserving online games

0:49:24 - Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 announced for 2024

0:56:16 - An update for World of Warcraft on consoles

0:58:31 - Sonic Frontiers 2 leaked from Midori

1:07:15 - IGN x iD @ Xbox Showcase

1:12:04 - Kena: Bridge Of Spirits rated for Xbox

1:13:36 - Meta is making a limited edition Xbox inspired quest headset

1:22:05 - Embracer Group is splitting into three companies

1:27:23 - Jedi Survivor is available on Game Pass

1:30:02 - What We’re Playing

2:02:48 - Metaphor Re: Fantazio showcase

2:34:24 - Todd Howard says “really good updates for Starfield are on the way”

2:48:31 - Coming soon to Game Pass Core

2:49:20 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

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#172 | Prepare For The (Fallout Filled) Future... Apr 21, 2024

It's been a Fallout filled week! With the tremendous success that is the TV show, the hunger for a new Fallout has arguably never been higher. Following our spoiler filled discussion of the TV show, we circle back to the timely question: What can Xbox and Bethesda accomplish with this franchise? Having InXile and Obsidian in the family is a match made in heaven, the remaster opportunities are plentiful, and yet, nothing is happening beyond the show. Even the next gen update arrives weeks after the show has aired! Whether it's mismanagement, overprotection, or slow moving relations, a series of this magnitude can no longer remain dormant in the game's space as it has beyond its live service title. The Dukes dive into the options available to Bethesda and how they could navigate such a task. Plus thoughts on PlayStation's move to PC with trophies, Persona 1 & 2 remakes, an Elder Scrolls show, Towerborne's beta, and plenty more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:10:25 - Todd Howard discusses Elder Scrolls show

0:15:06 - Fallout is topping paid charts for Xbox

0:18:35 - PlayStation is going all in on PC

0:31:04 - Persona 1 & 2 are receiving remakes

0:35:54 - Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 reveal

0:41:54 - Dead Space is on hold

0:46:10 - A new Baldur's Gate game is on the way

0:52:25 - Iron Man and Black Panther is open world

0:54:50 - Skydance is making a AAA Invincible game

1:01:19 - Towerborne beta details

1:03:32 - Lawbreakers is returning... kind of

1:08:41 - Mafia reveal possibly coming soon

1:12:57 - Blizzard is Blizzard

1:17:55 - Sea Of Thieves hits 40 million players

1:20:23 - Star Wars Outlaws controversy

1:26:20 - Hollow Knight Silksong rated in Australia

1:28:30 - What We're Playing

1:49:23 - TMNT: The Last Ronin is getting a movie

1:53:56 - Keanu Reeves is Shadow The Hedgehog

1:59:51 - Fallout 4's next gen update, TV show spoilers, and what's next for the series

2:46:00 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass

2:51:09 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

2:55:26 - How does YouTube work?

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#171 | Xbox's Summer Showcase Leaked... - Gears 6, New CoD, & MORE! Apr 14, 2024

It's a little early for the usual summer showcase leaks, but here we are nonetheless! Gears Of War stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Halo when it comes to importance during the Xbox 360 generation. Despite that, the series has never earned itself the "Master Chief Collection treatment" nor has developer The Coalition received its flowers for its consistency during a barren generation. With insiders already hyping up Gears 6 behind the scenes, the Dukes discuss what Xbox coudl do to make the most of this moment. At the same time, this showcase is seemingly being set up to cast a wide net. While 2023's summer show featured a look at the slate of first party studios that Xbox has acquired over the years plus a strong Japanese presence, it appears this is going to be the first time Activision defines a showcase. It's been said that Call Of Duty Black Ops: Gulf War is set to be revealed during this show. Perhaps more interesting, Xbox has invested in a "game preservation team" with insiders suggesting more announcement beyond just a new Call Of Duty being present for the franchise. Could backwards compatibility be making a return and how far will they go? Plus more on Xbox's next console, how Sea Of Thieves is possibly a testbed for more Xbox games heading to PS5, and so much more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:49 - Hellblade 2 previews are out

0:32:24 - Xbox CVP Kareem Choudhry is leaving Microsoft

0:35:44 - Xbox renews commitment to China in major way

0:45:08 - Star Wars Outlaws release date and new trailer

0:52:37 - The Dead Space Remake 2 kerfuffle

0:59:18 - Pocket Pair announces Pal Arena

1:00:41 - 33 Immortals finally gets a date

1:04:12 - Canceled Batman game leaked

1:08:07 - Sands Of Time Remake details

1:10:15 - What We're Playing

1:33:23 - Persona 6

1:39:54 - Even more Xbox leaks

2:01:20 - Game Preservation

2:29:30 - This is just the start for Xbox games on other consoles

2:33:07 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

2:36:50 - How to get in the mood to game

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#170 | Is Xbox CHANGING Game Pass In 2024...? Apr 07, 2024

t's quiet... Too quiet. Indeed, we've found ourselves in the "pre-showcase lull" for Xbox. Still, we have some big news to sift through. For starters, independent developers have thrived during the era of Xbox Game Pass thanks to massive bags being handed out for day one access which compliments the lower budgets of these titles. According to prominent indie developers, that gold rush is over. The Dukes dive into the future of Xbox Game Pass. If the way Xbox sells games is changing and the layoffs that have occurred all circle around the sustainability of the business, then there's no reality where Game Pass gets out unscathed. So, what are they changing, how do indies factor in, and what does it accomplish? Speaking of indies, it would see that Hollow Knight Silksong is finally on the way. When will this massive game land for Xbox and is it sooner than we expect? Plus, more on the questionable state of Final Fantasy 14, the future of KOTOR Remake, Dragon's Dogma 2's success, and so much more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:15:03 - Final Fantasy 14's launch on Xbox is bad

0:19:47 - KOTOR Remake is alive and well

0:27:45 - Take Two now owns Gearbox

0:33:48 - Dragon's Dogma 2 has sold 2.5 million copies

0:36:11 - Details on the next Yakuza game

0:38:36 - Certain Affinity hit with layoffs

0:40:23 - Xbox has a new AI chatbot for support

0:46:02 - CD Projekt Red talks microtransactions

0:48:15 - What We're Playing

1:26:20 - Amy Hennig's Star Wars game

1:32:45 - Xbox's indie gold rush is over

1:46:32 - Hollow Knight Silksong coming soon?

1:50:33 - Coming to Xbox Game Pass

1:54:41 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

2:01:46 - How to build the ultimate man cave

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#169 |The "Death Of Xbox" Rumors Are Swirling AGAIN... - What's Going On? Mar 31, 2024

We're at the point in Xbox's lifespan where the sensitivity is at an all time high. By that, we mean that the reaction to certain pieces of news is heightened considerably and is leading to even a singular comment spiraling into chaos. That's just what happened this week when, once again, we hear how Xbox is struggling. This time, it hails from the EU region where Christopher Dring states that a major game publisher questions the support of the platform in general. Naturally, this has been spun and applies to every conceivable developer under the sun. The Dukes approach this from two angles. For starters, how can Xbox escape the rumor mill and begin controlling the narrative? Is there something they can do to wipe away the doubt that gives legs to simple murmuring? Secondly, if true, what does this mean for Xbox? Separately, comments from Phil Spencer have indicated that extra money could be sought out in other areas of the industry. From Windows Central claiming an Xbox handheld prototype is in the works and Phil Spencer's recent interview signaling an infatuation with the Xbox handheld idea, it seems that their hardware push is far from over. Phil also spoke about bringing digital storefront like Epic Games Store and Itch.io to Xbox. Is the long term vision and all encompassing box full of all your games from all platforms? As always, it's never a sure bet with Xbox, but the Dukes do their digging nonetheless.

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:17:43 - Microsoft Rewards shutting down

0:24:55 - Xbox is integrating Battle Net with Game Pass?

0:37:57 - Phil Spencer wants to bring Epic Games Store to Xbox

0:51:58 - Sea Of Thieves is getting a massive update for its PS5 launch

0:54:49 - Marvel 1943 launches in 2025

0:58:07 - Marvel Rivals announced

1:07:09 - Grounded's final update gets detailed

1:16:08 - Xbox reaches an agreement with Toys For Bob

1:17:38 - SMT V new date

1:18:36 - Shinji Mikami's new studio accidentally leaked

1:22:40 - Yoshi-P teases FF16 for Xbox

1:25:58 - Resident Evil 9 may go open world

1:32:13 - Sonic Heroes is getting a remake in 2025?

1:38:06 - Star Wars Outlaws rated in multiple regions

1:41:53 - What We're Playing

2:25:51 - Elder Scrolls VI is playable

2:30:28 - Xbox is prototyping a handheld

2:48:44 - Developers are apparently wondering why they're supporting Xbox

3:07:52 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

3:14:33 - Ending Questions

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#168 | Xbox Is Making A Handheld...? Mar 24, 2024

A new development kit has been certified for Xbox in South Korea! With leaks showing an all digital Series X on the way, this originally felt like a news story you brush by and not much else. That was the case until we learned a key bit of information that flipped the conversation on its head: This certification couldn't be for a digital Series X. So, what is it? The last certification seen for Xbox hardware was with the Series X around five months ahead of its launch. We know Sarah Bond recently stated that Xbox has committed to more hardware in the future. Could it finally be the Xbox handheld set to launch this holiday? Naturally, the Dukes are giddy about this concept and dive deep. We also lament the state that Battlefront Classic Collection has launched in, mull over the state of PocketPair, enjoy Xbox's 4D chess play with Sea Of Thieves newest SKUs, and dive into the latest changes at Bungie and Blizzard.

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:11:11 - Bungie replaces Marathon director

0:19:42 - Massive changes hit Overwatch 2

0:27:27 - Jim Ryan opens up

0:31:07 - Ereban: Shadow Legacy is longer coming to Game Pass

0:36:17 - New Sea Of Thieves editions announced

0:45:15 - Pocketpair

0:51:03 - Fallout's TV isn't interested in pleasing fans

0:59:19 - Xbox has a new VP of Global Partnerships

1:00:43 - Halo Infinite March Update

1:03:28 - Grandia HD Collection is coming to Xbox

1:05:02 - Connie Booth is headed BioWare

1:08:13 - Sand Land demo is available now

1:12:29 - What We're Playing

1:46:00 - PS5 Pro leaks. Should Xbox match it?

1:58:35 - A new Xbox development kit has been certified

2:22:40 - Coming Soon to Game Pass

2:32:00 - Game Pass Pick of the Week

2:36:19 - Ending Questions and Wrap up

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#167 | Xbox Storms Onto PlayStation - Were They Right All Along?! Mar 17, 2024

The data is starting to roll in as Sea Of Thieves is available for pre-order on PlayStation. Beating out the likes of Star Wars and Dragon's Dogma, this once Xbox exclusive has found itself at the #1 spot for the weekend. While it's initial data, it's the first sign that Xbox's big play just might pay off. Naturally, it opens the familiar can of worms in wondering what will go multi-platform next. We also discuss Todd Howard's seemingly innocent comments on Fallout 5 that, according to Matty, imply much, much more. Plus, another Tekken 8 showdown, celebrating the work of Akira Toriyama, discussing what's going on with Sweet Baby Inc, and so much more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:13:46 - Pentiment's Framerate

0:15:58 - Peter Moore Interview

0:25:17 - Halo MCC Is Done

0:30:07 - Persona 3 DLC on Game Pass

0:35:03 - Ni No Kuni stays on Game Pass

0:36:26 - Last Case

0:39:23 - Moon Studios Future with Xbox

0:42:37 - Multiversus Returns In May

0:45:00 - Dragon's Dogma 2 Updates

0:55:52 - What We're Playing

1:37:26 - Akira Toriyama's Passing

1:47:47 - What's going on with Sweet Baby Inc

2:13:09 - Todd Howard's Fallout 5 Comments

2:28:06 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

2:51:02 - Final Questions

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#166 | A NEW Xbox Showcase Appears... - Did It Deliver?! Mar 10, 2024

This week featured the second ever Xbox Partner Preview! Consisting of 14 different games, Xbox shined a spotlight on AA partners, made some Game Pass announcements, and had a shadow drop to boot. The Dukes dive deep into each game individually and rank the showcase shortly thereafter! We also get into the loss of Toys For Bob who announced that they'll be going independent while maintaining a partnership with Microsoft. Have they managed to escape the Call Of Duty sweatshop and will others request the same? As we see Embracer shedding off two studios of its own, the Dukes wonder who the next domino to fall will be. Plus, Starfield's March update, a Spongebob Xbox Series X for sale, Warner Bros. stampeding against its own momentum, and much more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:10:34 - Starfield update

0:16:25 - KOTOR Remake is free from Embracer

0:26:34 - Baldur’s Gate 3 Physical update

0:28:16 - Fallout, Spongebob Xbox

0:36:20 - What’s going on with Moon Studios?

0:48:13 - Dragon Age Dreadwolf on track for 2024

0:52:18 - Warner Bros focus on live service

1:00:54 - What We’re Playing

1:33:03 - The State of Fallout

1:41:29 - Toys For Bob goes indie

1:58:20 - Xbox Partner Preview

2:41:05 - Coming soon to Game Pass

2:47:55 - Game Pass Pick of the Week

2:54:02 - How do we prioritize what we play?

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#165 | Crawl Out Through The (Xbox) Fallout Mar 03, 2024

The fallout of Xbox's industry shifting decisions has resulted in many-a-questions. What other Xbox games go multi-platform? What's the long term vision? Is the desire for a wider pool of consumers only going to delay obvious development based decisions that need to be made? Much of our audience here shares in these inquiries and we spend much of this Defining Duke sifting through them all. We also dig into the layoffs that continue to ravage our industry as both PlayStation and EA have entered the fold with impacted teams including the likes of Insomniac and Respawn. It's all that, plus around 30 minutes of Tekken 8 glazing, fight stories, health is wealth endearment, our first Game Pass DODGE Of The Week, and so much more!

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Introduction

0:21:25 - All Digital Series X incoming

0:23:34 - Age of Mythology Retold coming to Game Pass

0:25:10 - High On Life physical from LRG

0:28:30 - Tanya Watson joins Xbox Game Studios

0:31:45 - Third Kind Games is co developing Fable

0:37:12 - Pentiment runs better on PS5 due to a bug

0:42:51 - TMNT Arcade is coming to consoles

0:46:10 - Data-miners have found Persona 3 Reload DLC

0:47:41 - Skull and Bones has record player engagement

0:49:04 - Suicide Squad has fallen short

0:51:59 - What We’re Playing

1:32:10 - Warm Up Questions

2:11:18 - PlayStation Layoffs

2:36:29 - Game Pass Pick of the Week

2:45:05 - Ending Questions

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Xbox Rips Off The Bandaid - The Multi-Platform Push Is ON! Feb 25, 2024

Following weeks of rumors and speculation which led to multiple emergency Defining Dukes and even a business update event for Xbox, we finally have all the answers we desired. The games leaving Xbox are Hi Fi Rush, Pentiment, Sea Of Theives, and Grounded, two of which were unveiled at a Nintendo Direct, and their arrivals are imminent. Separately, PlayStation has made several illuminating comments themselves such as discussing a more aggressive PC strategy and potentially digging into other platforms. While there's no doubt that Xbox will be the first to commit in a major way to multi-platform, the Dukes are left wondering how long the walled gardens will remain as these business demand more. With that in mind, we discuss how much is enough for these companies and the ominous truth being the "when everyone plays, we all win" strategy that could play out in the next 10-20 years. Plus, a deep dive on Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, inquiries answered on Xbox's sidestepping of physical games, a rumored Mandalorian game, and so much more in a very normal episode of Defining Duke.

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Xbox Reveals Their Future - Are We SO BACK? Feb 17, 2024

After a week that felt like an eternity, we have arrived on the fateful day where Xbox discusses the future of their business. What's happening with exclusivity, Game Pass, hardware, and the brand's commitment to the future? To many, it was a nothing burger. Others have left with more questions than answers. Many are pleased that their investment is safe and there are no concerns moving forward. The Dukes discuss Xbox's potential clairvoyance with the multi-platform strategy, lessons learned from Xbox One applied today, and much more in another DEFCON 1 level episode of Defining Duke.

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The End of Xbox Is Upon Us...? (ft. Sacred Symbols) Feb 08, 2024

After weeks of unaddressed rumors surrounding Hi Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves coming to PlayStation, the powderkeg blew for Xbox this week. Gears Of War, Halo, Starfield, Indiana Jones, and a growing list are all reported to be going multi-platform. The only official comment we have on the matter is no sort of denial, but rather a "see you next week." In a DEFCON 1 level episode of Defining Duke, we opted to hold summit featuring each side of the aisle. Joining the Dukes are the Sacred Symbols boys. Is Xbox bowing out of the hardware space? If so, what does this mean for the competition in the gaming space with PlayStation remaining unchallenged? While it's all but confirmed that Xbox games are headed to PlayStation, the question remains in what capacity? For years, Xbox fans generally understood the idea that these would arrive thanks to Game Pass. Now, it seems Microsoft is doing this for sustainability. Naturally, fans of the platform feel betrayed leading to a plethora of meltdowns online. What happens to their digital libraries if an exit is made? Is Xbox throwing the towel too early when the vision is just about to come to fruition? The questions continue to mount as we had over 300 write-ins to sift through, so let's discuss the very future of Xbox and what the rationale behind their next phase may be.

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MASSIVE Layoffs Hit Xbox - What's Next? Feb 04, 2024

The moment we’ve long anticipated since Xbox began gobbling up various publishers has arrived and indicated a change in direction for the brand. On January 25th, a day after Microsoft was named the second $3 trillion company, Microsoft laid off 1,900 employees (accounting for 8% of their gaming division) across Activision, Blizzard, Xbox, and Bethesda. This pushes the industry as a whole beyond the 5,000 mark for total layoffs in 2024. For comparison, 2023 saw a total of 10,500 layoffs in its entire year and we’re halfway there already by January. Embracer continues to offload staff as their company falls through the floor, Riot just laid off 11% of its staff, SEGA 10% of its own, Unity another 1,800 people, and Twitch another 500. That’s just accounting for the mass contributors as over a dozen other companies have laid off hundreds of their own. From Toys For Bob all the way to the Call Of Duty workshop, many teams within Activision were impacted in a substantial way. With a new president atop Blizzard who once served as Call Of Duty's GM, Satya Nadella's blatant call for publishing games beyond Xbox, and a physical game division laid off within Xbox, the reality is clear that Xbox is no longer being gentle about the digital future they intend to charge toward. It was Phil Spencer who saved Xbox in its death throes during the Xbox One generation. Should we fear what Xbox will become?

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Palworld + Hellblade II - The TRUTH About Xbox's Dilemma Jan 28, 2024

Following the Xbox Developer_Direct, we have much to unpack. In the world of Avowed, we received an extended showing that gave us more gameplay, but some viewers were still left with that same sense of uncertainty. With the game confirmed to be AA style, in an alpha state, and aiming for a Fall 2024 release, the Duke boys get into the expectations surrounding this title and what is missing. Meanwhile, Hellblade 2 was at the center of its own sort of conversation. While it did have an incredible showing, details presented after may have warped the perspective a touch. Hellblade 2 will sit at $50, be digital only, and is stated to be a similar length to the first game. Considering the amount of trailers shown off and how it was revealed alongside the Series X, many were expecting a more grand expansion compared to the original Hellblade. With these two side-by-side, it paints a clearer picture of what expectations should be set for the 2018/2019 draft class of Xbox. However, Xbox has secured both exclusively and in its own service, the biggest game of 2024. Palworld has stormed onto the scene breaking all sorts of records on Steam and there's little doubt that by the time you hear this episode, it will have gone on to set more milestones for itself. While there is controversy surrounding the artistic direction of the game, the Dukes can't help but enjoy it. Is that wrong? More importantly, what is the impact that one of the biggest games ever is going to have on the industry, and Xbox in particular? It's a packed week, so let's unpack, shall we?

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Our Thoughts On Xbox's Developer_Direct 2024... - Did It Deliver?! Jan 19, 2024

As tradition dictates, Xbox has opened the year with their Developer_Direct. We saw gameplay from Avowed, Hellblade 2, Ara History Untold, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, and even had a surprise appearance from Square Enix! With the roadmap set for the year, how do the Dukes feel about Xbox's showing? Is this enough to satiate them? Did Avowed improve from its initial showing? Will Hellblade 2 deliver a masterful experience worthy of the wait? Are the lacking of release dates concerning? We get into all of it and, naturally, so much more! We also dive into the budding conversation of Xbox games leaving the platform as Satya Nadella has seemingly indicated that with Activision in the fold, Xbox will be bringing games to beyond their platforms. If that really is the case, what does this symbolize for the future of the brand? As always, the economics of this situation is sure to bring out the best in all of us. Plus, a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 release date, more additions to PC Game Pass, Starfield's "biggest" update yet, Smite 2 (!) announced, and so much!

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Xbox Is Losing Exclusives To PlayStation & Switch...? Jan 14, 2024

The Dukes have said it before and they'll say it again: It's never a straightforward job covering Xbox. Just when you think you have them figured out, they flip the script. There's no better example of that then this week where social media had Xbox on the brink with one rumor only to be celebrating them the next day thanks to an announcement. According to multiple insiders, Xbox is looking to take prolific exclusives like Hi Fi Rush and Sea Of Thieves and port them to competitors like PlayStation and Nintendo in 2024. While the benefits on a business front immediately stand out for Xbox as they cash in again on an old release, many loyal fans are wondering where they benefit, if at all. As Xbox gears up for a monstrous 2024, it seems even more questions arise about each and every announced game. It truly is Pandora's Box and The Dukes wonder if Xbox is ready for that world given their history of communication woes. Otherwise, we have a newly announced Developer_Direct boasting an absolutely stacked lineup of titles from Indiana Jones and Avowed to Hellblade 2 and Ara History Untold. With the looming potential of a shadowdrop, the ball is in Xbox's court to set an exciting tone for the upcoming slate.

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This Changes Everything... - New Xbox Generation In 2026?! Jan 07, 2024

The news waits for no one, including the Dukes! Insomniac was hacked, Bobby Kotick left Activision, and a new rumor surrounding Xbox's next console generation all managed to slip out in the two weeks we were gone. Naturally, we tackle all of this, but the Dukes really wanted to lean into the proposed 2026 gameplan for Xbox. Striking ahead of PlayStation, this would leave them in a similar position to the Xbox 360 vs PS3. Does Xbox need to hit the reset button so soon after finally getting their legs going in 2023? Would an Xbox fanbase buy into such a product so soon after the Series X launch cycle? Is Xbox's messaging airtight enough to avoid a Wii U scenario? There are many ways this can go and Xbox in 2024 is surrounded with a lot of firepower between their own first party, Activision, and Bethesda where they could make some noise as soon as they'd like. We also get into the 2024 roadmap for Starfield, the rumors of Banjo returning, some updates on Blade, and plenty more!

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A Critical Look At Xbox's 2024 & Beyond... Dec 31, 2023

To say it has been an eventful 2023 for Xbox would be an understatement. From establishing the Developer_Direct, a steady output of first party games, and acquiring Activision, to massive FTC court cases leaks, Redfall's release state, and lingering questions on Blade's exclusivity, we've had plenty to discuss. The Dukes gather this time not only to go through 2023 pound-for-pound, but also see what important lessons that can be gleamed from all these events. Was 2023 Xbox's best of the generation or are they only getting started?

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The Best & Worst Of Xbox Game Pass In 2023 Dec 24, 2023

It's the holiday season and perhaps Santa got you a brand new Xbox! Either that, or you always are subscribed to Game Pass and are looking at where to spend your precious free time. Well, as tradition dictates, the Dukes have gathered to analyze what has been an impressive year for Game Pass. As Xbox moves away from quantity and into quality, what were the best and worst that Game Pass had to offer in 2023? We hope to answer that very question.

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What’s Going On With Blade’s Xbox Exclusivity?! Dec 17, 2023

The Dukes have gathered one final time in 2023 during the aftermath of The Game Awards. Following a successful showing by Xbox, many question marks linger around Blade. Well, we have a direct answer from Disney, and that result lies with Bethesda. So, what gives? Plus, we get into the possibility of a free Game Pass tier fueled by ads as Xbox seeks to create value even at the lowest level of entry to help expand their subscription service. Is this a wise move or something that will inevitably hurt the paying customers? Plus, massive updates on SEGA, a deep dive into Starfield’s promised updates for 2024, the insane situation surrounding The Day Before, and so much more. Let’s wrap up 2023 with a bang!

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Well, That Happened... - Our Reactions To The Game Awards 2023 Dec 10, 2023

It was a much different story for Xbox coming out of The Game Awards this year compared to the last. In 2022, Xbox had yet again skipped the show with any meaningful announcements and even had their acquisition of Activision blocked by the FTC. This time around, there weren't any regulators to stop their fun! They showed up with Hellblade II gameplay alongside announcements of Arkane's Blade and even Hideo Kojima's frequently leaked "OD." Yet, as per usual, not all answers are certain. Is Blade exclusive to Xbox? How far off is OD? Why is Hellblade II being shown off for a fourth time without a release date? Is a Developer Direct on the horizon to rectify this? Naturally, the Dukes dive deep into these subjects, but also comb through the rest of the show while we're at it. The Game Awards wasn't the only massive news as Project Shaolin, the Wu Tang Clan game being developed through Xbox Game Studios, had a ton of details leak. We also have our first look at the Fallout TV show trailer, and even Grand Theft Auto VI. It's a jam packed episode and one of our longer shows of the year, so get comfortable and enjoy!

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Bethesda Is Responding To Starfield Reviews... Dec 03, 2023

As we approach The Game Awards, it looks like we won't be ranting on how Xbox missed the show again. Indeed, they have already confirmed that there will be important announcements at the show! With a very "Matty" angle on this news, the Dukes combine to speculate what Xbox could be bringing to the big stage. What's really made headlines is Bethesda's customer support who has taken it upon themselves to respond to the Starfield reviews being submitted on Steam. Is this a sign of insecurity? Is it normal for game companies to do this? We dig into what is a peculiar move by Bethesda this deep into the release. Plus, extended comments from Xbox on their future with AI, news on the next Call Of Duty, a fantastic update for Halo, and much more!

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Can Xbox Save The KOTOR Remake?! Nov 26, 2023

What was once a defining Xbox exclusive has made its way to PlayStation. Now, reports are in that the Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic Remake is in a world (or galaxy!) of trouble with development at a complete standstill and PlayStation wanting out. Many fans, us included, are calling on Xbox to, if legality permits it, be the saviors of this troubled project. From legacy to the habit of fixing up the likes of Bethesda and Activision, we're led to believe that this may be a great fit. Does Xbox have it in them and is this a remake even worth saving? Plus, we dive into the success that Yakuza has found on Xbox and how ATLUS plans to replicate the same gameplan for the upcoming Persona 6. With Persona 6 coming to Xbox, has the brand finally solidified itself as a major JRPG platform? We also tackle the omission of Hogwarts Legacy, Baldur's Gate 3's physical copies, ID @ Xbox's massive success, Call Of Duty's current reception, Xbox's declining European sales, and much more!

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The Nominees Are In... - Did Xbox Get Snubbed? Nov 19, 2023

For the fourteenth year in a row, Xbox is not going to be part of the Game Of The Year conversation. From fanboys to game developers, it feels like the industry has hit a boiling point when it comes to the way particular nominees are handled. Is it time for separate committees to be established for each category? Is it time to see The Game Awards for the marketing show is really is? Does any of this matter at all? We received a staggering amount of write-ins on the subject from all walks of life in the gaming world, so the Dukes are happy to oblige and get into the thick of things on this touchy subject. Meanwhile, this hasn't been a year to celebrate Call Of Duty as Modern Warfare 3 officially sits as one of the lowest reviewed releases in franchise history. With a fresh report on the tumultuous development cycle, the Dukes discuss how Xbox can approach this in the future to avoid such a blunder. They much tread carefully for they are tampering with one of the main money makers that led them to ABK in the first place. With much eagerness, we dive into this alongside Baldur's Gate 3 arriving to Xbox in December, Matt Booty's latest statement on Hellblade 2, the Steam Deck OLED, Dragon's Dogma 2 arriving soon possibly, and plenty more!

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Xbox Is Doing The IMPOSSIBLE For Blizzard... Nov 12, 2023

It was a bit chilly this weekend as a Blizzard seems to have blown through Xbox. That works, right? Anyway, during Blizzcon, we received a close up look at what's to come for the likes of Diablo, World Of Warcraft, and much more. More importantly is Phil Spencer's stage presence and the subsequent interview done with Blizzard President Mike Ybarra that has grown the expectations of "old Blizzard" making a return. Blizzard Entertainment has long been under the thumb of Activision with much of their decisions funneling through them. Now, Mike and his teams gets to report in to his old pal whom he worked with for almost two decades with at Xbox, Phil Spencer. Otherwise, Xbox has begun to further explore AI game development tools which specifically target the creative aspect of game development. With their substantial lead in cloud tech due to Azure, it's worth asking if this is cause for concern. Plus more on Grand Theft Auto's next entry in the series, Free Radical possibly being shuttered, Xbox's commitment to releasing a big game every 3 months, and so much more!

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Booty Calls Nov 05, 2023

After a couple of years as family members, Xbox has brought Bethesda a bit closer with its latest restructuring. Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, will now oversee all content across the Xbox and Bethesda families. Furthermore, Sarah Bond has now been elevated to President at Xbox. With these changes, many are wondering what the impact across content and partnerships will be. Is Fallout New Vegas 2 more possible than ever? What of a collaboration between ID and 343 on Halo? Under Matt Booty's guidance, there is quite a lot of dream projects that can be greenlit. Otherwise, it's a hot and cold week for gaming. With exciting news on the Xbox front, we shift our gaze to Bungie who is under a much worse restructuring of their own. After missing their revenue projections by 45%, over 100 employees have been laid off which includes big names at the team. Our very own Destiny expert has much to lament on the latest move from Bungie. Plus more on banned third party accessories at Xbox, The Outer Worlds selling 5 million units, a Series S price hike in Brazil, and much more in the world of Xbox.

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Xbox Drops A NEW Showcase - Did It Deliver?! Oct 29, 2023

In an unexpected move from Xbox, they've put together yet another showcase format. This time, it arrives in the form of "Xbox Partner Preview" which the Dukes agreed felt more like a business transaction than a show with big announcements. Expectations were tempered, yet Xbox didn't even bring Game Pass announcements to the show. Even if games like Yakuza, Alan Wake 2, and MGS 3 Remake look quality, the show left us asking why it even existed. So, we gather to answer those very questions. Meanwhile, the Xbox band is on tour and visiting all of the newly acquired teams in the ABK merger. With quarterly earnings and expectations in the mix, it appears that Xbox anticipates their newest family member to have an immediate and massive impact. Plus more on Starfield's impact to Game Pass, Xbox's continued decline in console sales, Fallout TV show expectations, Spider-Man 2 impressions, and so much more!

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Xbox Opens Up On Activision's Future - What's Next? Oct 22, 2023

After almost two years of going back and forth on every layer of this deal, it is finally complete. Xbox owns Activision Blizzard King and have massively expanded both the IP as well as talent under their possession. Now, the real work begins! As Phil Spencer says he's going to begin visiting all these teams, gamers have many burning questions! What is the future of exclusivity for the many upcoming Activision games? Will Xbox dig into the massive backlog of titles at their disposal? How will the integration of Activision games in Game Pass work? With a sense of finality, we can begin to answer those questions. That wasn't the only massive news this week as Bethesda's Pete Hines is leaving Bethesda after spending 24 years there. With Will Shen out too, many are wondering if it's time to worry about folks jumping ship. The Dukes are here to settle things down. Otherwise, we dig into Halo Infinite's resurgence, Starfield being one of the best selling games of the year, and much more!

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Xbox Is Making A Comeback... - Will They Pull It Off?! Oct 15, 2023

While modern gaming has its drawbacks, our always online nature allows any game to not be out of the fight so long as it maintains direction, funding, and manpower. That comeback story is something that continued to rear its head in this episode. From Halo Infinite's fifth season, to Redfall finally dropping much needed features at launch, and even Guitar Hero being teased for a return, much in the vicinity of Xbox is looking to make a grand return. Even beyond its green gates, Cyberpunk stands at the apex alongside No Man's Sky as the ultimate comeback story. Naturally, that brings us to this episode's main question: is it time to make a return? Is Redfall worth it? What about Halo Infinite? We answer those burning questions alongside sifting through the plethora of updates that have hit the Activision Blizzard deal as it finally looks to reach its grand finale.

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The Scary Reality Of Xbox's Future... - It's Not What We Thought? Oct 08, 2023

In a lighter news week, there is a consistent theme that crops up across all of Xbox's games recently. From Redfall to Starfield and Forza, each of these games will be supported for an extremely long time. As the Dukes experience real-time clarity on Xbox's vision, we dive deep into the idea of Game Pass as a model changing how these games are made. With Todd Howard confirming a minimum of five years of Starfield support, it's worth examining the library of upcoming titles and how Xbox may approach the release of those. Is it wise for them to have "one and dones" similar to Hi Fi Rush or does their model demand more from a game than what it offers on day one? Beyond that, we sift through another quality stack of Game Pass additions, the review reception of Forza Motorsports, our impressions on new releases like Assassin's Creed Mirage, Lamplighters League, and more, alongside ominous updates for the KOTOR Remake.

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Starfield Is Bethesda's Lowest Rated Game... - Worse Than 76?! Oct 01, 2023

As we quickly approach the CMA's deadline for a decision on Xbox's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, we see another significant stride in the deal. The CMA has conditionally approved the acquisition if particular circumstances can be met on the cloud front. Meanwhile, the console wars trek on and Starfield is in the line of fire as it's now been officially rated as Bethesda's worst "official" release ever. There are caveats and we get into it, but also sift through the legitimate criticisms that have chewed up Starfield just as much. Plus, a decent showing for Xbox at the Tokyo Game Show, Jim Ryan is leaving PlayStation, and the Dukes big bet on Dishonored 3!

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The Biggest Xbox Leak EVER Just Happened - What's Next? Sep 24, 2023

Slow week, huh? As the gaming industry grows, so too do its leaks. Much like Hollywood, it's becoming increasingly difficult to keep projects under wraps before someone spills the beans. Joining the ranks with Nvidia's GeForce Now, Xbox has suffered one of gaming's largest leaks ever. From an entire release schedule for Bethesda's upcoming games to a mid generation refresh and even their vision for 2028's next generation consoles, there are dozens of documents to sift through. Fallout 3 Remaster, Dishonored 3, Oblivion Remaster, Ghostwire Tokyo getting a sequel, a licensed IP game, and so much more is on the way! Unfortunately for Xbox, it also revealed the sort of conversations that happen behind closed doors. As recently as 2020, Xbox wants to purchase Nintendo and continues to size up PlayStation. Their goals are perhaps far more ambitious (and terrifying) than anyone could have expected. So, let's unpack it all. Much like the GeForce Now leak, this one will likely serve as a Bible of sorts to check back on when needing guidance to the next leak.

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Starfield Is Doing The IMPOSSIBLE For Xbox - What's Next? Sep 17, 2023

For years, the Dukes were met with abuse and slander due to their faith in Starfield on how it can serve as a turning point in the current generation. The reviews have come and gone, the talk on the streets has become a bit messy to put it lightly, but the numbers don't lie. Starfield is a raging success across all metrics as it is now Bethesda Game Studios' biggest launch of all time as it managed to beat out the likes of Skyrim and Fallout 4. To do so in an exclusive capacity puts things into perspective even more. With six million players already accounted for and likely millions more beyond that this point, Bethesda has committed to "years and years" of support thus paving the way for Starfield to become the most played Bethesda game ever as Phil Spencer desired. We also get into the mind boggling decisions Unity is making in regards to its popular game engine, Square Enix's recent plummet, the upcoming reveal of Indiana Jones, the Fallout TV show's leaked teaser trailer, and a plethora of more news in a jam packed week.

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Starfield's Controversial Reviews - Is It REALLY That Bad? Sep 10, 2023

Fellow Dukes, your wait is finally at an end! Starfield is here and the Dukes are teaming up with Gene Park to break every facet of the game down. Walking away from this conversation, one thing is for sure. Starfield is arguably the biggest game we have seen in years. Despite varying hours logged from 30 all the way to 70, the Dukes have a variety of stories to tell. So much so that we learned a ton from the "water cooler moments" the game has provided already! The polish is there and allows for the game's incredible writing to truly shine. However, the game is not without its issues. Starfield's uneven exploration may leave Bethesda Game Studios purists at a loss for some time and there is much to be said about its RPG elements despite choice being at the forefront. That's only just scratching the surface of what this game brings. It's time for The Dukes to settle into a conversation about Xbox's biggest game of the generation.

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Our Starfield Review IS HERE - Did It Deliver?! Aug 31, 2023

Fellow Dukes, your wait is finally at an end! Starfield is here and the Dukes are teaming up with Gene Park to break every facet of the game down. Walking away from this conversation, one thing is for sure. Starfield is arguably the biggest game we have seen in years. Despite varying hours logged from 30 all the way to 70, the Dukes have a variety of stories to tell. So much so that we learned a ton from the "water cooler moments" the game has provided already! The polish is there and allows for the game's incredible writing to truly shine. However, the game is not without its issues. Starfield's uneven exploration may leave Bethesda Game Studios purists at a loss for some time and there is much to be said about its RPG elements despite choice being at the forefront. That's only just scratching the surface of what this game brings. It's time for The Dukes to settle into a conversation about Xbox's biggest game of the generation.

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We’re Playing Starfield… Aug 27, 2023

The Dukes have Starfield and will have to navigate that landmine for an entire episode! One thing we can discuss is our plans for the game, the content, and so on as it’s been a long time coming. While Cog sits out to rest, Gene Park joins the show to talk all things Xbox. For starters, we dive into the thick of Opening Night Live. From stage crashes, to new Starfield content, and a plethora of new trailers, we have much to talk about! There’s also a surprise turn in the ABK deal where now Ubisoft is involved. What does this mean for Xbox’s cloud initiative moving forward? Plus more on Persona 3 Reload’s date, Phil Spencer’s commitment to four AAA games per year, and what the plans are for Game Pass when Activision joins the Xbox family.

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Starfield Goes Gold - It's Really Happening! Aug 20, 2023

It's time to start believing, folks. Starfield has gone gold following multiple delays and it looks like you can finally put that September 1st (or 6th!) release date "in ink!" Alongside going gold, the information is finally starting to pour in for the game. We have a deep timeline of 300 years worth of lore to mull over. For those less grimoire inclined, we have a brand new Q&A from Will Shen and Emil Pagliarulo that is chockful of new bits of information of the next Bethesda epic. In a week tailormade for the Dukes, we learned of the team who has been working on the TMNT: Last Ronin video game. It hails from Black Forest Games who has a spotty history. If that didn't leave us uncertain enough, THQ Nordic is the publisher. Will the hype win the day for the Dukes or are we full blown skeptics out the gate? Plus, a renewed debate on the Xbox Series S sparks up following some key features for Forza Motorsport being delayed, Assassin's Creed Mirage.

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Starfield VS Baldur's Gate 3 - Should Xbox Be Concerned? Aug 13, 2023

Baldur's Gate has, well, stormed the gates of PCs around the globe and has managed to amass a staggering 800K+ concurrent players. Such a feat is difficult to accomplish, especially for a hardcore turn-based RPG despite how much many love them. To say Larian Studios deserves such attention and celebration would be an understatement. However, as an Xbox podcast, the eyes of many of our listeners and writers has shifted to Bethesda Game Studios Starfield where some may worry of history repeating itself. Ahead of Fallout 4's release, another transformative RPG released and that game was The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Much of the conversation turned into Bethesda being upstaged and there is a small yet growing fear that Bethesda may be upstaged again. Are these games truly comparable? Well, the Dukes are happy to answer that very question. Plus, we dive into more of your Starfield questions such as what Xbox needs for this game to be considered a success and how to cope with a potential failure come September 1st. We also sift through Square Enix's shift in focus, Xbox's changes to the $1 offer in Game Pass, and spread some much needed words on the Health Is Wealth movement!

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Bethesda Is Remaking Oblivion...? Aug 06, 2023

2023 has been a bit of an adventure through an Oblivion gate for Xbox, hasn't it? Funny enough, they also may be remaking the widely celebrated 2006 RPG that started as an Xbox 360 exclusive. Following a now deleted Reddit post from a verified ex-employee of Virtuos Studios, by the end of next year we may have an Oblivion remake in our hands. There are many worthwhile questions to ask such as why now, why Virtuos, what changed in Bethesda's stance on re-releasing a game, and is this merely a one-off? The Dukes are up to their ears in Starfield hype, so it's tantalizing to know that another BGS experience may not be much further off. However, could Xbox have pushed this and struck a deal with the Devil as Virtuos' last outing wasn't one to write home about. If that's not enough, Square Enix and Xbox have renewed their vows! With Final Fantasy 14 headed to the platform, many Xbox fans are left wondering what's next beyond the popular MMORPG? Can Final Fantasy VII Remake finally come to Xbox along with the staggering amount of games that the platform has missed out on? Plus, even Cog's very favorite Transformers games have found themselves in the headlines as a comeback may be on the way with Hasbro and Activision Blizzard exchanging words through headlines!

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Starfield Is Close - Bethesda Breaks Their Silence Jul 30, 2023

August is coming and with that is an anticipated onslaught of Starfield marketing. Trailers, reveals, and details aplenty leaves us all wondering: Just how far will Bethesda go? Well, with three new animated trailers in our system and some analysis of the Fallout 4 marketing cycle, we may have a good idea of that! We also delve into the recent majority shareholder purchase by Tencent of Techland. How does this change the gaming landscape and is the industry giving Tencent's aggression the same vilification as the likes of Microsoft and Sony? "Lord Acquisition" has some thoughts you're going to want to hear on the matter. Plus, who's behind the recent wave of backwards compatible multiplayer improvements in the likes of Call Of Duty and Gears Of War? We get into all of this as well as Ubisoft's insistence on returning to tighter games, Activision's massive success on PC, a pizza scented TMNT controller, some wild food takes, and more!

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PlayStation Bends The Knee - Xbox Has ALL The Exclusives? Jul 23, 2023

After much delay and public arguing, Xbox and PlayStation have finally signed a binding agreement to continue bringing Call Of Duty to PlayStation following the completion of the Activision Blizzard deal. However, PlayStation's delay has bit them in the backside as the Dukes had predicted. Indeed, this deal only pertains to Call Of Duty meaning that all bets are off for the vault of other Activision Blizzard content. Tony Hawk, Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, and many more can easily become exclusives. Will they? The Dukes dive deep into this wormhole of a topic. This week also finally saw the end of an era in Xbox Live Gold as come September 14th, Xbox will transition current subscribers over to a new tier in the Game Pass offering called "Game Pass Core." With 25 games to boot and guaranteed online multiplayer, what could go wrong? Well, there is a caveat which we'll explore in a bit of a potential hustle play by Xbox.

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Xbox Finally WINS - Is The Activision Deal Done?! Jul 16, 2023

Well, it’s finally happened. Since January of 2022 it has been an absolute bloodbath, but now we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the Activision Blizzard deal. With the FTC vying for a preliminary injunction that would effectively lead to the death of this deal, the two opposing forces did battle in court. Following Microsoft's victory, the FTC has moved to appeal the decision as this saga continues. As the July 18th deadline quickly approaches, it's very possibly that by the next Defining Duke episode that we'll finally turn the page on this long winded chapter in Xbox history. Naturally, we had to tap an expert on the shoulder for all this and who better to ask all our crazy questions than Hoeg Law? Joining us, we go through the FTC's appeal process, the ongoing negotiations with the CMA, potential console exclusivity, Game Pass content, and so much more. It's Hoeg's first time back in the realm of the Dukes since December so be sure to give him a warm welcome! Furthermore, we get into the Xbox x IGN indie showcase which displayed a strong amount of diversity as Xbox seems to do of late. We also dig into Starfield's absolutely bonkers PC specs and get to the bottom of some uncertainties surrounding the game.

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Xbox's Next Move - Is It Closer Than We Think? Jul 09, 2023

It's the calm before the storm as we await the court's decision on whether or not the FTC's injunction will be granted thus killing the Activision deal. With that on the horizon, we look at Gamescom where Xbox is currently not tempering expectations about their presence on the show floor. Naturally, the Dukes dive deep into the litany of titles that could appear. Considering the show's more European centric audience, its it time for neighboring UK studios like Ninja Theory and PlayGround Games to come out of hiding once more? Is it time for Hellblade II's combat to finally be shown off? What of other dated games coming to Xbox that may crawl its way into a show of some kind? The options are plentiful and leave us with much to consider. Once again, SEGA and Xbox's relationship continues to grow thus adding more credibility to Game Pass. Football Manager, one of SEGA's most lucrative games, continues to shine in the service as the Japanese publisher had much praise for Xbox to go around. Plus, are the Dukes alongside other Xbox creators bought and paid for? Is such interaction with big executives a major contamination to the integrity of ours and others' products?

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Xbox VS The FTC - The Pressure Is ON Jul 02, 2023

If you thought the Activision deal was inescapable already, Xbox's battle in court against the FTC just turned the notch up to eleven. In a plethora of poorly redacted documents and fully exposed e-mails, all of Xbox's plans that were supposed to be private are made clear. From their mile long acquisition watchlist to details on key upcoming exclusives, this is the peek behind the curtains many gaming enthusiasts have been seeking. Coupled in with PlayStation's true feelings on the deal and you have one of the most riveting news weeks in Xbox history. While much of this is exciting, there is more sour news about Perfect Dark. In a new scathing report - this time from IGN, we learn the truth about this "AAAA" game, alongside its unlikely first partner and troubled development history. We also dive deep in to Todd Howard's latest interview on Starfield! Plus more on E3, Starfield's physical copy, a new Metal Gear game making its way to Xbox finally, and plenty more!

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The TRUTH On Xbox's Future - It's NOT What We Thought... Jun 25, 2023

Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty spoke with Axios in a most telling interview addressing what the future of major unknowns are. From the doors of Arkane Austin remaining open "for now" to 343 being stripped of their title as the sole Halo developer, it lets us properly understand that the veterans are being replaced by the class of 2018 as Xbox seeks to reinvigorate its brand. Alongside that is the inevitable price hike for Xbox consoles and even Game Pass across respective regions. The timing before a potential closing of the ABK deal and even Starfield's recent showcase spells out to us that Xbox is making the most of this opportunity. Speaking of which, the ABK deal might finally be nearing its conclusion after all this time! Major Microsoft and Xbox executives are making the trip to battle the FTC in court and prevent an injunction from being granted. If successful, it could fast track their case. Plus updates on Avowed's visuals, Starfield's first preview.

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Xbox's BIG Move - Can Starfield Save 2023? Jun 18, 2023

The fallout from Xbox's showcase has left us with many tantalizing topics to tackle. Obsidian's upcoming epic, Avowed, received a deep dive from game director Carrie Patel where she reveals more story and gameplay details on the 2024 RPG. From a confirmation that this is a full single player game all the way to its in-depth melee combat, the Dukes have it completely covered. Furthermore, Xbox is feeling bullish about Starfield and it is showing. Across interviews with Todd Howard, Phil Spencer, and Matt Booty, there are scraps of new details lying about everywhere for us to pick up and analyze. Todd opens up on his potential final game, the evergreen support of Starfield while Mr. Booty makes a bold claim on Starfield being the least BGS title ever. Plus, a thorough examination of everything from the Xbox Games Showcase Extended, the latest move from the FTC involving the Activision acquisition, Fable updates, and plenty more to sort through!

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That Was INSANE - Our Reaction To Xbox's 2023 Showcase Jun 11, 2023

Xbox needed a good showcase after all of the bad to remind folks why they bought their piece of plastic in the first place. Well, Xbox's 2023 showcase wasn't just good, it was close to perfect. First party arrived in spades with Fable, South Of Midnight, Avowed, Hellblade 2, Forza Motorsport, and Clockwork Revolution all showing out to varying degrees. Third party delivered in the form of Persona, Metaphor ReFantazio, Towerborne, Payday 3, Path Of The Goddess, 33 Immortals, and tons more. The icing on the cake was none other than Bethesda Game Studios who blew everyone out of the water with Starfield. A game that truly feels like a major turning point for Xbox as both a publisher and the quality at which their exclusives should launch in. The emotions are high, so let's settle into a groove through all the amazing games we saw in a showcase for the ages.

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Our Xbox Games Showcase 2023 Predictions ft. Xbox Two Jun 04, 2023

It's that time of year! As tradition dictates, the Dukes unite with Xbox Two and comb through all 23 Xbox Game Studios. This has been said for years on Defining Duke to be the "showcase of dreams." Xbox simply has so much backed up in their pipeline following massive acquisitions in 2018 and 2019 that this year has been pinned as the one to show it all off. From Starfield, Hellblade 2, and Avowed to Fable, Forza, and Fallout, there is a massive amount of potential to surprise and delight fans. What of third party partnerships, Game Pass deals, and our targets for possible exclusives? How about Bethesda who already has so much cooking this year? Do we hear from the likes of Machine Games and Roundhouse? We have many, many thoughts on a metric ton of possibilities to get into in what is Defining Duke's biggest episode to date!

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The PlayStation Showcase Disappoints - Xbox's Window Is OPEN May 28, 2023

If there was any moment to put their foot on Xbox's throat, this showcase felt like a most opportune time. PlayStation only comes out of hiding every so often meaning it stand to reason that you'd think they'd have plenty to show off. You see, Xbox and PlayStation aren't too different. The mid-generation outlook for both consoles is eerily similar with very little knowledge on what is cooking for first party. Fortunately for Xbox, PlayStation left their audience in the dark on major teams such as Naughty Dog, Bend, Bluepoint, and several others. With that, the window is open to take some of the "mindshare" back as they aim to surprise and delight at their upcoming showcase. Naturally, we dig into the showcase itself, but mostly how it reflects Xbox's ability to bounce back at this moment. Plus rumors of a Persona 3 Remake revealed on Xbox's stage have us excited, Nvidia, Boosteroid, and Xbox's partnership have picked up, OG Dukes get a special treat from EON Gaming with the XBHD, and plenty more in another jam packed week!

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Xbox Braces For Impact - The PlayStation & Redfall Effect May 21, 2023

We're under a month away from Xbox's defining (!) showcase and PlayStation is officially set to strike first. In our last episode, we mulled over the pressure that Xbox faces as the morale is low for both fans and executives alike if Phil Spencer's recent interview was anything to go by. One aspect we tackled following the increasing rumors was a reality where Xbox would be on the receiving end of a most unfortunate double edged sword. That blade being the incompetency shown in Redfall and the bad timing for Xbox of PlayStation making a major public splash while they're arguably at their worst. Sure, there are State Of Plays for varying degrees of quality, but make no mistake: PlayStation only comes around with a showcase when there are major things to be shown. Undoubtedly, this will up the ante on what Xbox needs to do to make an impact. Plus, the EU approves Xbox's acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, some scoops on the 12 month window being removed from Xbox's show, the developer of Somerville says Game Pass hurt his game, and much more in the world of Xbox!

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Xbox's 2023 Showcase Predicament - The Pressure Is ON May 14, 2023

Recently, Phil Spencer joined the Kinda Funny XCast to discuss everything from Redfall's disappointment and the Xbox Games Showcase to their stagnant pipeline and even their goals as a game publishing platform. This transparent look provided little for Xbox fans to feel confident about as the pressure continues to mount between Starfield needing to be an "11/10" experience and PlayStation's rumored showcase lingering just days ahead of Xbox. Indeed, there's no denying that if Xbox doesn't absolutely nail it with their 2023 showcase that the blowback will be enormous. While Starfield shoulders the burden, it is up to all of Xbox first party to now prove why the fans should even both hanging around in the first place.

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Redfall Is An Absolute Disaster - What Now? May 07, 2023

E3 2021 concluded with the "one more announcement" moment and that game was Redfall. Since then, Xbox has closely tied itself to the game as one of its big, AAA, premium exclusives. Following the vacancy of 2022, Xbox fans hoped to have their patience rewarded when the delay for Redfall released on May 2, 2023. Well, it's here and it has arrived unspectacular fashion. Redfall currently sits at a 62 on OpenCritic across 77 critic reviews and the brand has suffered yet another brutal, embarrassing blow. How could Xbox release a game of such low quality after their commitments to first party? Is this the fault of Phil Spencer, Matt Booty, Game Pass, or something else? Is this what we're to expect from Starfield and other games from acquired talent? Indeed, the release of Redfall sends an awful message and The Dukes are far from happy. With "New York Sports energy," The Dukes prepare to take Xbox and Bethesda to task for the heinous state of Redfall and delve deeper into the matter on the state of first party.

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The Xbox-Activision Deal Is Blocked - What's Next? Apr 30, 2023

As the bad news snowballed for Xbox in recent weeks, it felt like fans could at least hang their hat on the Activision deal seemingly trending in the proper direction. Well, that seems to have gone south too. The UK regulatory body known as the CMA has moved to block the merger of Xbox and Activision due to cloud based concerns. With the FTC and CMA collectively against Microsoft, their sliver of hope rests on the impending decision of the EU regulatory body. Xbox certainly wasn't in a position to rest on their laurels and if the worst comes to pass then it's doubly so the case. Beyond the usual doom and gloom, The Dukes peer into this potential reality where the deal is outright canceled. What is Xbox to do if Activision isn't part of their future? Do they go scorched earth on third party deals or seek internal investment? We won't have to wait long to find out as a potential pin in the balloon awaits us ahead of the 2023 summer showcase for Xbox. Plus, a final gutcheck on Redfall before release, a deep look into the truth behind Xbox's financials, many first party studios have multiple games in development, a surprise update on Gears 6, hands-on impressions with the ASUS ROG Ally, and so much more in this jam packed episode of Defining Duke!

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Xbox Gets Skipped AGAIN - What's Happening? Apr 23, 2023

Following the Redfall 30 FPS surprise and the Square Enix debate, Xbox fans are certainly on edge now. With "check-to-check energy" in their veins, another game has skipped the platform while reaching literally every single other. That game is Oxenfree II which follows in the footsteps of Capcom's Mega Man Battle Network Collection, Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3, as well as the abundance of Square Enix games. With hardware sales falling for Series consoles in the EU as PlayStation 5 is up an insane 369% on hardware sales, one has to wonder if the lack of appeal is reaching both consumers and developers. The Dukes dig into the scuttlebutt as the reactions are growing stronger with this continued trend. It is starting to show that no matter the significance of the game they're missing out on, the reaction will be there until Xbox begins to be more consistent like its competitors. Plus, Joe Staten's destination revealed, the old guard has been swapped out for Halo, SEGA makes a surprising acquisition, Diablo IV goes gold, and much more.

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Redfall Is 30 FPS - Is It Time For ANOTHER Delay? Apr 16, 2023

Xbox fans, we have reached an impasse. It's Team Delay versus Team "Get Your Game OUT!" Arkane has confirmed that Redfall, an Xbox first party exclusive, will launch at 30 FPS on consoles with 60 frames down the line. It's clear that this generation has tested the patience of fans and, naturally, this news has led to a big blow up. The optics for this situation are clearly bad, but would things be worse if Redfall were to receive a second delay? Some fans feel that it's time for Xbox to finally deliver, come hell or high water! The Dukes dive into this brewing disaster as well is if this is a "litmus test" for an inevitable Starfield 30 FPS confirmation. There is much to be said on the quality standard Xbox is setting for themselves as they seem perfectly fine with being in second place. Otherwise, the Dukes sink into Persona 3 Remake, Ravenlok's release date, another 10 year commitment by Xbox, Sonic's continued success, and much, much more!

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Is PlayStation Blocking Games From Xbox? Apr 09, 2023

Live A Live, Octopath Traveler 2, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Final Fantasy 14, Final Fantasy 16, Babylon's Fall (lol), Forspoken, Theaterhythm: Final Bar Line, and many, many more games out of Square Enix have skipped Xbox. Some to people's dismay while others leave us thankful it never graced our piece of plastic in the first place. The fact remains: There's an astonishing amount of titles skipping the platform and Xbox fans want to know why. The Dukes tackle this topic following the announcement of Live A Live arriving everywhere except Xbox. So, what gives? Is Square at fault, has PlayStation paid them off to bar games from release, or is it the harsh reality nobody seems to wish to admit which is Xbox has blame in this too? We dive in. Plus New Vegas 2 pops up in a rather hilarious manner, Game Pass Family & Friends looks like a steal, a Starfield controller leaks, the handheld wave continues on with the "Q Lite," Quantum Break leaving Game Pass, and plenty more!

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The Death Of E3 Is Upon Us Apr 02, 2023

There's no denying the Dukes have tried to rally behind E3, but doubt began to seep in following Xbox's exit from the show floor. This week, we learned of three major players pulling out of E3. Those being SEGA, Ubisoft, and Tencent. With reports from IGN stating that there has been next to zero communication from the ESA and ReedPop as well as no one else attending, it very well may be curtains for E3. What comes next to fill E3 shoes and what led to the fate of a once prestigious and celebrated show? Elsewhere, we get into the thick of it following a letter submitted to the Biden administration by 11 members of Congress. Have the tables turned? It's possible as one of Xbox's greatest opponents in approving the deal, the CMA, looks to be moving toward an approval. Meanwhile, Japan gives the deal a thumbs up, ID @ Xbox is printing physical games, Hellblade 2 looks incredible, Redfall sees numerous important updates as it approaches launch, and Game Pass drops its $1 deal. Join us in another plump week of gaming news!

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Is Xbox Launching A NEW Console In 2024? Mar 26, 2023

Xbox and PlayStation may have their differences, but they admittedly stay at the same pace when it comes to the release of new hardware. Outlet Insider Gaming has reported a "PS5 Pro" of sorts is inbound by the end of 2024 and naturally our audience has inquired if Xbox can expect much of the same. The report also says that the next generation involving the PlayStation 6 aims to begin in 2028. With Cloud Gaming being such a vital part of their plan moving, is Xbox thinking the same thing? The Dukes share their thoughts. Plus, Starfield has an R18+ rating in Australia, High On Life is getting DLC, Shin Megami Tensei may be making its way to Xbox, and Game Pass continues its quality over quantity focus.

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Xbox Opens Up On Their 2023 Summer Showcase - Is It Any Good? Mar 19, 2023

We recently learned of a Starfield Developer_Direct that will be taking place around the same time as Xbox's very own summer showcase which is undoubtedly chockful of content. Now, Xbox has pulled back the curtains on some of their plans and the Dukes has some disagreements to iron out. Xbox will not be on the show floor at E3 and plans on holding their Starfield Direct right after their own summer showcase. One Duke is in favor of this plan while another is not. Who will take the L? We'll learn on June 11th in an Xbox extravaganza of sorts just how wild things will get. Otherwise, Xbox and PlayStation are ramping up their respective aggression levels for the Activision Blizzard deal and making their intentions very clear. With multiple more 10 year deals inked, Jim Ryan claiming he just wants the merger blocked, and the FTC demanding tea be spilled -- it will be a mighty interesting day in court when these three finally come together. Meanwhile, Ghostwire Tokyo comes to Xbox, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 faces some serious threats, Sea Of Stars comes to Xbox, Forza might be delayed until October, and a whole bunch more news round out another week for Xbox.

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Starfield Arrives In September - What's Next? Mar 12, 2023

After much anxiety and anticipation among Xbox fans, Bethesda has finally broken their silence on Starfield and revealed that the game will be releasing September 6th, 2023 with a showcase arriving on June 11th. There is much to be said about another "delay" for the game that puts Starfield near a holiday window for a second time. Fortunately, there is an equal amount to be said about the glimpses we've seen of notable improvements thanks to said delay. Its Xbox's biggest game of the generation thus far and The Dukes have thoughts on Bethesda Game Studios upcoming juggernaut RPG. Plus more on Outer Worlds shockingly bad update, Redfall's upcoming press event, and news on both Avowed/Hellblade 2's release windows.

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The Media Is Claiming Xbox Is Shutting Down Soon...? Mar 05, 2023

There's much to go over as Xbox fans wait with bated breath for information on Starfield's Developer Direct. With the Activision deal pending, the media is claiming that if it is to fail that Microsoft is ready to shut down Xbox. Just how much validity is there to such a claim? The Dukes dig into the facts and find out. We also have updates from Phil Spencer in a new interview on upcoming game announcements, Obsidian clamoring for a New Vegas remaster, Shinji Mikami leaving Tango Gameworks, confusion on the front of Project Dragon, Baldur's Gate 3 controversy, and even Halo/Forza DLC updates to boot. It truly is a jam packed week, so let's go through all of it and have some fun talking about more important things like toilet paper.

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Xbox & Nintendo's Game Changing Partnership Feb 26, 2023

Xbox and Nintendo have seemingly grown close during this generation and there's not a stronger sign of that than the latest agreement between the two. We already knew about bringing Call Of Duty to Switch, but if the words of Xbox Vice Chair/President Brad Smith are anything to go by then there are more Xbox games headed to Nintendo platforms. This is deal was struck as Xbox set to swing big as regulators began to put pressure on them with suggestions of divesting parts of the business. Nvidia also joined the 10 year deal party as Xbox has agreed to provide their PC games to Nvidia's GeForce Now streaming service in an attempt to clear up concerns about the cloud market. With this move, Xbox has won over Nvidia as they are now in favor of the deal. If it wasn't clear, it is now. Xbox will do almost anything to ensure that Call Of Duty is theirs by the end of all this. How the regulators respond is yet to be seen, but for now The Dukes sink their teeth into the potential of these partnerships and how they will grow all involved platforms.

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Is Xbox Game Pass Killing Games?! Feb 19, 2023

Much as been said about gaming's most popular subscription service. While many have detracted its boons to the game development scene, Game Pass has stormed on to surpassed 25 million subscribers. At the same time, it seems Xbox has been caught talking about both sides of their mouth. In an admission to the CMA, Microsoft has stated that game sales do fall off across 12 months titles in Game Pass. While some see this as a mark of defeat, it only seems to highlight the lack of knowledge many of us have on the funding process. The Dukes dive deep into this one as we check our previous claims about the service, where it stands now, and if the sky is truly falling for Game Pass. Otherwise, we have a possible Evil Within 3 tease, Xbox climbing their personal rankings in Japan, and "Robert" may be here to stay if the Activision deal falls through.

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Are Things Falling Apart Between Xbox & Activision? Feb 12, 2023

We haven't heavily discussed the Xbox-Activision deal in months following many of us being fatigued from constantly revising it. Since December, we said it would take something truly noteworthy to move it into our headline and given the current scuttlebutt across the community -- it appears now is that time. The CMA has made its stance clear that Xbox will have to relinquish plenty to get the deal done, but how much is too much for the two seeking to make a deal? With calls for divestiture and even outright relinquishing Call Of Duty, many have hit the panic button for Microsoft. As usual, we run through our same rigamarole of big executive quotes and how the CMA came to such a decision. Beyond that, Xbox has become known for its many experimental titles like Pentiment, Grounded, and Hi-Fi Rush. Unfortunately, titles of that same ilk have been canceled over at one of their marquee first party studios: The Coalition. Furthermore, BioWare seemingly continues to struggle to get its next Dragon Age game out the door, we have smaller updates on Compulsion/Fable, and 2022 GOTY Crossfire X is gone... but at what cost?

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Xbox Is Bailing On E3 2023 - What's Next? Feb 05, 2023

With E3's return to an in-person event, you wouldn't be foolish to assume Xbox would have a presence given the endless vocal support the brand has for the convention. Following financial complications and maybe even Developer_Direct's success, it appears Xbox is heading in a different direction. IGN reports the all of the "Big 3" including Xbox will not have a presence at E3. While Xbox will have a showcase as they confirmed last week, this opens up a slew of possibilities for what Xbox could look like in the future when it comes to communication and presentations. Otherwise, another week and another 343 Industries bombshell. Following the shake-up occurring with staff amounting to at least 95 layoffs, Bloomberg has now reported that Halo will see a swap to Unreal Engine, visit new platforms, and radical changes seemingly coming to Infinite's 10-year plan. Is fifth times the charm for 343 or is it too little too late? We dive into that as well as the reported delay for Forza Motorsport out of the first-half window as well as the volatile nature of Starfield's release date rumors.

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It's Official - Xbox Has GAMES In 2023! Jan 26, 2023

With the first ever Developer_Direct in the rear view for us, it's time to pick apart all the games (and surprises) shown off! We saw Redfall, Forza Motorsport, Minecraft Legends, Elder Scrolls Online, and even a surprise drop from Tokyo Gameworks with Hi-Fi Rush. With these games, Xbox has a healthy and full first half of 2023 - a strange sight for fans of the ecosystem. Is this the format for the future of Xbox and how can it be improved? Did Xbox show enough gameplay and did they get the pace of the showcase right? The Dukes have plenty of thoughts on all that was (and wasn't) shown! Outside of Developer_Direct, 343 confirmed they will continue to be stewards of the Halo franchise moving forward in a somewhat ominous message to fans. What is the right next step for such a precious IP and does Xbox overhead need to be more involved? Following the public humiliation surrounding Halo Infinite's launch, should Xbox continue to scale them down into a game publisher? Reports are saying things may be headed in that direction. With all this Xbox news plus hands-on thoughts with new releases in Forspoken and Dead Space Remake, it's one of Defining Duke's busiest weeks yet!

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Joe Staten Has Left 343 - A Major Shakeup Hits Halo Jan 22, 2023

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced this week that Microsoft would see 10,000 layoffs by the end of March 2023. Among those affected are those working within Xbox and Bethesda. According to various reports, the teams impacted within the gaming division are both 343 Industries and Bethesda Game Studios. However, one person has chosen to leave and was Halo Infinite's last standing beacon of hope: Joseph Staten. Joe is the one responsible for getting the team in order at 343 to help "land the plane" in time for launch. It is clear now as more and more senior leadership makes their departure that 343 is facing the most restructuring of all the current first party studios. The Dukes get into the unfortunate layoffs as well as what the impact could be on games like Halo Infinite and Starfield. Otherwise, we have more insight on expected release dates for the Xbox's Developer_Direct which is set for next week and how High On Life 2 may no longer be in Xbox's best interests after recent developments involving Justin Roiland.

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Xbox's NEW January Showcase Is A Game Changer Jan 15, 2023

Fans of the platform have long been accustomed to Xbox's lack of communication. To many, it seemed like the first half of the year flat out didn't exist for the company when it came to major showings or releases of games. With the announcement of Developer_Direct, it is the start of a new chapter as Xbox has two planned out. The first will feature heavy hitters such as Redfall, Minecraft Legends, Forza Motorsport, and Elder Scrolls Online. The second Developer_Direct will be a standalone show fully dedicated to Starfield. With a fluid format providing updates on highly anticipated exclusives and an inevitable summer showcase, Xbox fans are going from being left in the dark to three major showings from the company. This is a contrast to an otherwise anemic 2022. Beyond that, we have more details on a game we will be seeing a lot of on January 25th: Redfall. According to Arkane, Redfall leans heavily into its Far Cry inspiration -- a major point of conflict between Matty and Cog. What the Dukes do agree on is the staggering response to a lighter yet higher quality drop of titles into Game Pass for the month of January. Plus, our least favorite encounters in a public setting, Cog answering the bell for his lack of Deathloop completion, and more important subjects fill out an already busy week!

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The Rumors Are Swirling - Will Xbox Finally Deliver In 2023? Jan 08, 2023

It has been said by many far and wide that 2023 is the year Xbox must deliver. With the rumor mill churning out some interesting nuggets in the form of an early 2023 Xbox showcase, release date candidates for Starfield and Redfall, and even hints of what's to come later in the year; there is much to be excited about. Both official outlets and reports are suggesting that a Starfield-Redfall duo for May/June can soon be upon us. With that in mind, Xbox fans must adjust to a new reality. A reality where blockbuster games are being delivered and thanks to that the conversation will change. In the spirit of preparation, The Dukes take a hard look at the first half of 2023 where Xbox can finally leave their long awaited mark on the industry. However, we must also ask: What if they don't deliver? It is all these angles and more that we prepare for in today's episode on top of more on Hellblade 2, Deathloop, Persona 3 Remake, and much, much more.

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The Best & Worst Of Game Pass In 2022 Jan 01, 2023

Our holiday tradition continues as Matty and Cog gather to discuss the very best and worst that Xbox's most popular service, Game Pass, had to offer. It was a year that saw strong improvement in the terms of quality as last year featured technical Day 1 duds such as Dark Alliance, Back 4 Blood, and even Outriders that painted a bleak picture of weak titles taking the bag. 2022 restored the confidence which left the Dukes with many good pickings, but even then we still had some stinkers. Indeed, every light does have its shadow... or Crossfire X.

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An In-Depth & Critical Look At Fallout's Future Dec 25, 2022

Fallout is a series that is near and dear to our Duke hearts and undoubtedly one of the lead reasons behind Xbox's purchase of Zenimax Media. While Fallout 76 lives on, many wonder where the next mainline entry lies and with whom. You see, Xbox has a unique talent issue when it comes to this particular franchise as they happen to own all the teams with members that are responsible for what Fallout is today. Brian Fargo, Feargus Urquhart, Josh Sawyer, and Todd Howard all have left their mark on the series. The question really becomes, how can Xbox best utilize this talent to bring Fallout to new levels? More importantly, can we get our hands on Fallout remasters? What of remakes? What fills the gap ahead of Fallout 5 which is arriving after Elder Scrolls 6? Will Obsidian be able to produce Fallout New Vegas 2? While tantalizing, the future of this extremely popular series is surprisingly uncertain. That doesn't account for its new TV show in production that marks the series first ever piece of expansion material. Joining us is AnchormanV to chat all things Fallout and how Xbox can figure this one out.

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Is Xbox Planning A Surprise 2023 Showcase? Dec 18, 2022

Capping off Xbox's tragic 2022 and our final episode ahead of the holiday break is a glimmer of hope for us to at least conclude that year on a somewhat positive note. Many fans are now left searching for answers following the absence of Xbox at The Game Awards despite apparently having three first party, AAA games arriving in the next six months. Following a tweet from Aaron Greenberg saying that we won't have to wait long to hear more, we can't help but wonder what this may mean. Follow up reports and downplaying by Bethesda all point to some sort of event being on the horizon. What will it be and will be enough to overcome the rough conclusion to 2022? The Dukes dive it. We also have new details on questing in Starfield as well as Halo Infinite slowly gaining traction! That plus holiday traditions, our thoughts on Avowed's absence, and a transparent conversation with our audience round out our year. To everyone who listened to Defining Duke in 2022, thank you! We hope you enjoyed and we'll see you in 2023 with (hopefully) games to talk about!

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Xbox's WORST Week? - Game Awards No Show, $70 Games, & FTC Sues... Dec 11, 2022

Xbox's conclusion to 2022 is rather thematic as it matches the vibe of the overall year: Disappointing. While we began on the high of the Activision Blizzard deal, swift delays of Starfield and Redfall as well as a vacant first half of the year painted an all too familiar picture. With the windows closing for Starfield, Redfall, and Forza Motorsport respectively to be dated for the first half of 2023, it was stunning to see Xbox not only skip out on showing anything from those games, but not show up in any form. To make matters worse for them, this all happened on the same day that the FTC had announced they will be suing Microsoft to block the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. With the deal now in jeopardy despite announced deals with both Nintendo and Steam, Xbox's one saving grace in 2022 may be dashed away into nothing more than an extensive headache. If that wasn't enough, this is also the week we learned that all first party games would be $70 moving forward. After all that has transpired, it undoubtedly places more pressure on these three games to perform exceedingly well for Xbox or we may reach another low for them in this generation.

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Todd Howard Finally Opens Up On Starfield & Elder Scrolls 6... Dec 04, 2022

What better way to celebrate 100 episodes than to hear from Godd Howard himself? Many fans are clamoring for new Starfield information, but what we didn't expect was Todd Howard to appear on a podcast for three hours and talk about things beyond Starfield. Those topics range from Elder Scrolls 6, to Amazon's Fallout TV show, and even MachineGames' Indiana Jones! Todd even dives deep into his relationship with Xbox with how things have changed for the better and, in some ways, not at all. Outside of this, we are relatively free from the shackles of the perpetual news cycle following the Activision-Xbox deal and can instead turn our attention toward Xbox's achievement system. With a new report from Jez Corden, fans are excited about the possibility of Xbox layering PlayStation's trophy system on top of the current Gamerscore infrastructure. Hopefully within the new 100 episodes, we can cover what this new achievement system truly is!

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Is The Xbox-Activision Deal In Trouble? Nov 27, 2022

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Bethesda seemed to be an answer to a prayer when it came to Xbox fans in 2022. With Starfield and Redfall, they were set to deliver new AAA exclusives that the platform is hungry for. While that obviously got pushed back, Bethesda may have a surprise reveal up their sleeve. Zenimax Online Studios, keepers of the Elder Scrolls Online, have amassed a 200 person team to work on a new Xbox IP. It is one such project that creative director Ben Jones states has been in development for four and a half years with significant resources put into it. Are The Game Awards a good spot for this reveal? We discuss! Meanwhile, the battle for Call Of Duty ensues. It appears that Xbox has submitted an offer to PlayStation that the public has deemed "too good to be true." According to the NYTimes, Xbox has offered PlayStation ten years worth of Call Of Duty which another three added onto their original offer if sources are to be trusted. This begs the question, have the two warring companies finally reached an impasse? PlayStation has refused to comment and Jim Ryan is insisting in his latest statement that choice for gamers will outright disappear if Activision joins the Xbox family. With the EU's extension for a decision being put back until April, it seems like we are truly in for the long haul when it comes to this deal and who will ultimately come out on time.

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Are The Game Awards Worth The Scrutiny? Nov 20, 2022

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The Game Awards, or as some may call them, The Lame Awards, are the subject of ire year in and year out. 2022 has proven to be much of the same as the Game Of The Year list is out with contentious picks aplenty. While it may be the home of things like nepotism and recency bias, many folks such as Cog have accepted it as the way things shall be. From snubs to perplexing categorization such as Elden Ring in the Best Narrative category, we (along with the audience) have many questions to ask. Perhaps the biggest one is, is it worth our frustration or should we just take our game announcements and go? Beyond that, we get into a busy week for Xbox releases as we dive deep into Pentiment along with Somerville. It may not be nearly on the level of God Of War, but Xbox fans will take it! Furthermore, we mull over the comments of Phil Spencer as he firmly closes the door on any Call Of Duty doubts, but raises key points on the future of both mobile games and Project Keystone. That plus The Witcher 3's next gen update, Dave Bautista's Gears Of War casting, and Starfield's uncertain marketing cadence round out our discussion.

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Trouble Is Brewing At Bethesda Nov 13, 2022

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The relationship between Game Developer and Game Composer is a subject we rarely get a lot of insight on within the games industry. As the news of Doom Eternal's composer controversy comes to the public eye, Cog is joined by LSM family Ben to analyze the extremely fascinating implications. Maty Booty interviews, N7 Day and some fun slander await!

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Can Xbox Keep Their First Party AAA Promises? Nov 06, 2022

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Phil Spencer has heard the frustration of Xbox fans regarding the absence of first party games in 2022 loud and clear. The question is..can he actually keep his promises to a frustrated base? Cog is joined by the Man with the million Gamerscore Rand Al Thor 19 to discuss this and the interesting relationship between Embracer Group and Xbox. Is there more than meets the eye with their acquisitions ? We dive in with fun speculation.

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Is Persona 5 Royal A Major Game Changer For Xbox? Oct 30, 2022

Xbox fans have made many declarations to bring Persona to their beloved box and, finally, it has arrived. This week sees the re-launch of Persona 5 Royal, but for many; it's the first time they are arriving in Shujin Academy. Xbox fans have responded in kind as Persona 5 Royal has reached the top 10 for played games on consoles. Does this signify a major turning point for Xbox's battle in Japan? Could other Japanese developers be taking note of such a surge on the platform and be willing to play ball with the oft neglected platform? As Cog dives in for the first time and Matty watches like a proud dad, we get into the thick of things in Shibuya. Beyond the region of Japan, we move our attention to China where the status quo is shifting dramatically. It is reported by Reuters that Xbox is assembling a team to scout talent throughout China after missing out on the ever popular Genshin Impact. This has major implications for the brand moving forward and we have much to say on it. Beyond that, it was a busy week for Xbox Game Studios across Bethesda, Arkane, and World's Edge! Indeed, this episode truly feels like a bit of a preview on what Defining Duke conversations will be like in 2023. GAMES!

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Are Xbox & Bethesda Mishandling Fallout? Oct 23, 2022

Fallout is arguably the most lucrative IP that Xbox earned from its acquisition of Zenimax Media. Since the ink on that deal dried, the possibilities for that series seem endless. With brilliant Fallout minds underneath the Xbox umbrella such as Todd Howard, Brian Fargo, Feargus Urquhart, Tim Cain, and Leonard Boyarsky, it feels like we're primed for a special era in the franchise's lifecycle. While it sounds great, it looks like we're a ways out from any meaningful collaboration. A recent interview with Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart has resparked the famous "Fallout: New Vegas 2" conversation as there is a true hunger from within Obsidian to work on this franchise again. This dates back to 2013 with public pitches for a game by Obsidian, but now with so many answers available in-house; it feels inexcusable to not have something cooking for an objectively profitable series. We also get into the thick of things again with the CMA as well as Microsoft facing some layoffs. There are new details on Minecraft Legends that are beginning to shape up Xbox's early 2023 picture. Plus, we dive into the fiercely debated 30 FPS topic as well as the importance of the conversations surrounding pay for voicework in gaming.

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Did Phil Spencer Tease A New Xbox Console For 2022? Oct 16, 2022

It was a packed week for Xbox. From laying our eyes on Starfield's new dialogue system to a new Xbox console teased by Phil Spencer, there is much to analyze. Joining us for this week's episode is Dad Of Xbox: Jez Corden! He fits like a glove in this episode as much of what we discuss began with his own leaks. As mentioned at the top, Phil Spencer's shelves have struck again and hiding within there is a prototype for what has been codenamed "Xbox Keystone." It is reported that this new cloud device is targeting the $100 price point and will include a controller alongside it. Xbox has gone back to the drawing board multiple times on a cloud prototype, but if Phil's shelf is to be trusted then it seems they're almost there with a working version. We almost comb through the exchanged statements between the CMA and Microsoft in regards to the Xbox-Activision merger. One that the CMA seems to have PlayStation's best interests at heart on. Are their concerns fair? The Dukes dig through the legal documents to find out. Plus more on XCloud Gaming, Starfield, Obsidian's refusal of Fallout, and much more!

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Xbox Must Avoid PlayStation's Embarrassing "Remakes" Oct 09, 2022

In a jam packed week, we have many stories that could compete for the headlines. Google Stadia's closure, Xbox's Activision propaganda, the acquisition of various media outlets, or even CD Projekt Red's slew of game announcements. In the spirit of accountability, none other than PlayStation should dominate this one. In a rumored move showing little shame, they are set to do a The Last Of Us Part 1 style "remake" for 2017's PS4 exclusive, Horizon: Zero Dawn. As the goal posts have continued to move back throughout the generation beginning with $10 upgrades, we have now found ourselves collectively in a position where we must demand better. In the case of us, an Xbox show, we must plead with Microsoft that they do not follow a trend PlayStation is clearly trying to establish where there is much money to be made. Creative ventures will always be risky and there are such ways to mitigate that, but this slap in the face to consumers must be taken to task. Fret not, Xbox catches their own set of shade as they indulge in their own version of propaganda by forging a brand new website around the incomplete Activision deal. As it stands, the site shows off why this deal will be good for gamers, developers, and the industry at large. As always with the Dukes, we must call it as we see it. That said, this sour batch of news hasn't stolen the joy from Dead Space Remake's gameplay, the latest Game Pass drop, and CD Projekt Red's massive potential.

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Is Obsidian Entertainment "Saving" Xbox's 2022? Oct 02, 2022

Obsidian Entertainment is often referred to as "Xbox's #1 draft pick" by the Dukes. While Starfield and Redfall have left 2022 more vacant than Xbox would have liked, Obsidian is showing a bit of Insomniac Games energy with two releases this fall. Those two being Grounded and Pentiment! While not entirely sexy games, these experiments carve out the future of what Xbox as a console can look like. One which allows creative freedom to a team primarily known for RPGs whereas both their games releasing in 2022 are not such. Grounded is the first to release and it's excellent. After two years of being in game preview, it's 1.0 release is here capturing Matty, Cog, and many Xbox fans. With Obsidian's consistency in releases and quality, we have to ask the tough question. Is Obsidian Entertainment saving Xbox's 2022? With Game Pass existing, does it even need saving? The Duke dive headfirst into the backyard to find out. Otherwise, E3 is back, Overwatch 2 is at the center of more controversy, and many Game Pass partners are pleased with the service thus far.

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Have Xbox and PlayStation Revived The Console Wars? Sep 25, 2022

With the continued back-and-forth, Xbox and Sony are truly reviving what we thought was a bygone time: The Console Wars! It's clear now that the modus operandi for PlayStation is to obstruct the Activision deal by any means necessary. This means even taking the public "egg in the face" as they continue to sink their public image. Xbox has shown the willingness to abide by the rules, but the real question is will this awaken a more cutthroat version of the current executives we see in place? Matty and Cog discuss! Furthermore, we have the remaining table scraps from Xbox's Tokyo Game Show interviews! Japan continues to be a weak spot as we all know, but Xbox is now making the commitment to bring original exclusives on the level of Lost Odyssey to fans. How long will it take and what form will it arrive? What relationships can be born from this initiative? There is much to parse through!

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Xbox Is Changing The Narrative In Japan Sep 18, 2022

Showcases, showcases, showcases! Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2022, State Of Play, Nintendo Direct, Ubisoft Forward, and Disney all came out to show what their respective teams and partners are working on. While each showcase had their bright spots, Xbox's Tokyo Game Show presentation stood out to us in particular as it feels like a lot of the playing catch-up is done. Now, the platform is primed to chase down the true game changers which should make for an exciting year as they continue to be ambitious in Japan. However, question marks still loom as games like Octopath Traveler 2 will be missing the platform? Is this another product of Square Enix's relationship with PlayStation or Xbox missing the mark again? In this Japan focused episode, we get into the ins and outs of it all.

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The Activision Deal Is Making PlayStation Desperate Sep 11, 2022

Want to know a fate more painful than being forced to play Yakuza: Like A Dragon and enduring the wrath of the LSM audience? Ask Jim Ryan! Through statements publicly delivered to press outlets, Xbox and PlayStation are trading blows over the status of Call Of Duty and the fulfillment of contracts on PlayStation's end. Indeed, it appears there is a legitimate fear over on PlayStation's side of the fence that Microsoft has been "inadequate" in delivering what is necessary for Call Of Duty to thrive on their platform. The tendrils on this story go deep as we weave through public letters submitted to regulators, previous comments made by both executives, and the blatant hypocrisy. Outside of the console wars realm, head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty has been quite talkative this week. We now have updates on the status of State Of Decay 3, Perfect Dark, and the much anticipated Fable. Mix that in with rumors of AAA TMNT, Tencent sliding deeper into Ubisoft's pocket, and an ill advised tweet by Glenn Schofield and we have ourselves quite the show.

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Xbox Needs To Capitalize On PlayStation's Mistakes Sep 04, 2022

As the days go by, PlayStation replicates Nintendo more and more. From 'premium allure,' to highly priced games rooted in nostalgia, and much more, these two are walking a scarily similar path. Then there's Xbox, and while there is room for improvement, it's hard to think of many ways they can be more pro-consumer. With the PlayStation 5 moving its asking price above the Xbox Series consoles where Microsoft has confirmed they will remain at their current retail value, there has never been an easier marketing lay-up for Xbox. The time is now for them to capitalize on Sony's gradual "death of a thousand cuts" as they've continued to nickel and dime their fanbase. What can Xbox do to capitalize? Matty and Cog get into the nitty gritty! Furthermore, Japan continues to dominate the conversation as we see the release of Soul Hackers 2 and Xbox's stream for Tokyo Game Show is on the horizon. While we stated earlier that the consumer practices leave little room for improvement, Xbox's global expansion is the exact opposite. What is in store for Xbox fans in Japan now and in the future? It's time to sink into the age old conversation yet again. Plus more on Tencent's investment in From Software, NetEase's acquisition of Quantic Dreams, and China's growing influence in gaming.

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Is Xbox Changing Their Tune On Exclusives? Aug 28, 2022

Xbox has long been the loser in the exclusive race. Following an interview with Bloomberg, Phil Spencer suggested that he feels we will see less and less of such exclusives as time goes on. This directly contradicts what was said when Bethesda was acquired; a move made to net exclusives for platforms where Game Pass exists. Joining us this week is LoneVaultWanderer to not only analyze this sudden change of tune, but also everything that was revealed at the Gamescom ONL showcase. In what was a surprisingly stacked show, there was much to lament with aimless trailers and loads of CGI. However, much of it was games and some stellar ones at that which will land Day 1 on Game Pass.

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The Showcase Season Is On! - What Will Xbox Reveal? Aug 21, 2022

From the summer drought to showcases aplenty, this is quite the 180 compared to the last couple of months. The time as come for announcements between Quakecon, Gamescom, and the newly revealed Disney + Marvel Games Showcase. The question is will Xbox be a willing participant and, if so, what will they be showing off? The topic calls our attention to two highly looked over studios within the Xbox portfolio: Machine Games and Roundhouse Studio. One confirmed to have a Lucasfilm IP and the other is reportedly working on a comic book licensed IP as well. With speculitis in our veins, we imagine all the possibilities through these three shows.

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Can Game Pass Create An "Unfair Advantage" For Xbox? Aug 14, 2022

Grab your popcorn! The back and forth over Call of Duty and Game Pass between Xbox and PlayStation has truly begun. Last week's episode saw us discussing the possible "fear" within PlayStation as they highlighted how Call Of Duty on Game Pass would create an unfair advantage. In a 27 page document submitted by Microsoft, they have battled back where, yes, the console wars have become all too real. Filling in is 'The Honorable' Ben Smith where we sink into what is effectively our gaming parents bickering. Strangely, both sides are right, wrong, and hypocrites all at the same time. In an otherwise slower week, Xbox has revealed a long demanded feature in the name of Game Pass family plan. Many new "bloodlines" will be forged over this, I'm sure. More delays have landed as well as the Duke Curse continues to become a real thing and we very well may have to cancel the show over it. Stay tuned for that. We're currently marking High On Life as our breaking point.

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Is PlayStation "Scared" Of Xbox Getting Call Of Duty? Aug 07, 2022

For many, this episode's title will seem like a cheap attempt at console war bait, but fret not for it is a legitimate question worth asking. Thanks to the Brazilian government, we have a very transparent view of a rare interaction between PlayStation and Xbox where the two wage a war of their own on the value of exclusivity. The subject matter is Call Of Duty and PlayStation underlines the very scary potential of that big of a game being mixed with day one Game Pass. Matty and Cog dig deep into this delicate subject as it's rare to see shots fired from either side in such a manner.

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Is Ubisoft The Next Target For Xbox? Jul 31, 2022

News has begun to roll out of Ubisoft that shows them sprinting in multiple different directions at once. From the platform based live service Assassin's Creed game to a tighter and less expansive entry in the series all the way to a heaping four games cancelled, a lot is happening for them and not much of it sounds good. As we have historically seen, Xbox can sweep in when these companies are going through the worst of times. With Lord Acquisition at my (Matty) side, I wanted to tackle the subject of if this is a fit. Otherwise, EA continues their somewhat staggering turnaround as they are producing a single player Black Panther game which may beg the question; is there a more impactful game to a company then Jedi Fallen Order? It's tough to imagine what, but it's success has allowed the winds of change to blow through EA. Beyond that, we have more crocs shenanigans and Halo Infinite gets beat up for the millionth time.

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Can The Activision Blizzard Deal Save Xbox in 2022? Jul 24, 2022

Microsoft has provided the FTC the additional information it was seeking, potentially triggering a final window to any challenges of the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The Dukes are assisted by Rand Al Thor 19 & LSM family Ben Smith to dissect the deal, potential caveats, and best case scenarios. What does Discord integration mean for Xbox? Arcane’s new game design philosophy? Power Wash Simulator’s greatness? How much do we care about video game merchandise and more!

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Is It Time To Get Hyped For Redfall? Jul 17, 2022

Redfall stands as one of Xbox's most anticipated exclusives and it makes sense. Arkane Studios is a world class talent creating some of the best immersive sim titles that our industry has to offer. However, Redfall is set to be different compared to the studio's past work and a major interview by IGN shines a spotlight on why. Together, the Dukes go through it with a fine toothed comb to bring each aspect of the conversation surrounding the game to light. Otherwise in a quieter week of gaming, we get into the thick of things with a topic that has dominated the industry: Ubisoft. As it always seems to be the case, it's not for good reason. With Ubisoft's near miss on threatening the preservation of Assassin's Creed Liberation, we aim to expand the conversation beyond that to the pressing problem of the "Digital Age" quickly approaching and no safety nets in place. Are members of Team Digital about to stage a mutiny?

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Evaluating The Future Of Xbox Game Pass Jul 10, 2022

The news has slowed that considerably compared to weeks prior, but that's fine because it gives more room to get in touch with what the audience is thinking. Our collective focus is on the future of Xbox Game Pass where many of your chimed in about a variety of paths that the brand can take. What devices or consoles could it appear on? What regions may it thrive in? Should DLC also arrive for free alongside Day One games? Will Xbox craft their own native handheld and submerge themselves in that market? Indeed, the options Xbox has with this service are quite tantalizing, and so with that we dive straight in. In the lighter news load, we speak on God Of War: Ragnarok filling the void Starfield left behind. Is this a shot from PlayStation? We break it down. Alongside that, it appears any hope of Xbox 360 support is canned as Xbox reaches an inflection point with the strong yet fading Games With Gold.

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Is Xbox Mismanaging Their Studios? Jul 03, 2022

There's trouble on the homefront. We have collectively report after report roll in describing the struggles of Xbox's first party studios. Whether it be 343 and their mismanagement of Halo, Bethesda and their troubled Fallout 76 development, half of The Initiative leaving, or toxic conditions seeping into Undead Labs; there are now many examples in the ether for us to dissect. All of them combined bring us to one painful question that must be asked: Is Xbox's hands off approach backfiring on them as their teams spiral themselves into the ground? With this week's news, there's no better time to tackle such a tough topic. In lighter news, Mega Man Battle Network is back, Starfield has a pretty exciting leak, and the fork-spoon wars may be set off again thanks to disgruntled pie consumers. With our most write ins to date, it's time to tackle our juiciest episode yet.

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Xbox's Long Wait Begins - Is There Enough In 2022? Jun 26, 2022

With some space between us and the showcase, news has slowed down and the dust has settled. It's now that we can take our best look at the road ahead and answer a crucial question: is there enough for Xbox in 2022? Between their new "console launch exclusive" strategy and the investment in Game Pass for Day 1 releases, there are many questions for us to answer. One such question is could Xbox potentially deploying a tactic from the Nintendo playbook in 2023 to stagger the staggering amount of games in the pipeline so they don't cannibalize one another? The Dukes sound off, but there's much more to talk about in an otherwise relatively quiet week. The Activision Blizzard chopping block claims another victim in the name of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 + 4 remake and Forza Motorsport is (begrudgingly) spoken about in a positive light! Plus more on the "Piss Gate," Final Fantasy 7's eluding of Xbox, and much more!

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The Aftermath Of The Xbox & Bethesda Showcase Jun 19, 2022

We're days removed from the Xbox & Bethesda showcase as well as the extended one on Tuesday meaning all the announcements, trailers, and news are out in the wild. With that, there is much to sift through such as new Starfield details, a Fallout 5 confirmation by the Toddfather himself, and some possibly worrying Redfall news on its multiplayer component. Couple that in with some insightful questions from the audience about the parameters Xbox has set for themselves during the show with only showcasing content throughout the next 12 months and we have much to discuss on the future of this platform.

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Our Reactions To The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022 Jun 13, 2022

The big day has finally arrived. After months of rumors, speculation, and bold predictions, we have now seen everything the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase for 2022 has to offer. As Cog has to aptly put it, it's a journey through many peaks and valleys. For it is here that we see Starfield for the first time ever, Persona arriving to Xbox, Kojima in the flesh, and many other surprises. That being said, this showcase also placed a clear spotlight on the vacancy of this fall where a majority of the first party content has been punted to 2023. Now the Dukes gather and to breakdown every single trailer, announcement, or reveal that dropped.

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Our Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022 Predictions ft. Xbox Two Jun 05, 2022

The situation has changed for Xbox entering this year's showcase. With the delay of both Starfield and Redfall, 2022 is looking mighty empty and they need answers. However, the slate for 2023 is quite the opposite as it appears to be chockful of games. Joining the Dukes are the fine gentlemen of Xbox Two - Rand Al Thor 19 and Jez Corden. Together, we comb through each and every Xbox first party studio, rumored third party project, Game Pass candidates, acquisition targets, and some of the most bold, outlandish predictions you may ever hear. This is our longest episode yet, so please do enjoy and we will see you on the other side for our showcase reactions.

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Is It Time To Cancel Xbox Game Pass? May 29, 2022

As Cog would say, "the Twitter streets are getting hot!" We have seen the conversation surrounding Xbox turn up to 11 as cooler heads refuse to prevail. Now, many are announcing their exit of Xbox's crown jewel: Game Pass. To make matters more interesting, Xbox Game Pass fanned the flames with a "dunk" on Kotaku bringing to light a potential weakness in their offering. So, joining the zeitgeist, is it truly time to cancel your subscription? The Duke have some thoughts on the matter. To make matters worse for some, it has been confirmed that Xbox turned down an exclusive deal with Marvel to work on their IP. As we know, PlayStation took that ball, ran with it, and now it is a major piece of the pie they offer fans. Is this a decision that Phil and his team regret? Matty and Cog parse through the timeline and get into what transpired here.

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Xbox Has No Games? - Can 2022 Be Saved? May 22, 2022

With the delay of both Starfield and Redfall, discussions have only heated up since we all last spoke. People are calling for Phil Spencer's job and console war toxicity is reaching an all time high. Joining us is Windows Central Gaming's own Miles Dompier to talk on our most requested subject: Can Xbox save their 2022? The pressure is on from fans who are expecting answers with the June showcase and the Dukes have united with Miles to talk about what exactly Xbox can do to quell concerns. Beyond that, PlayStation has struck at a perfect time with details about their PS Plus overhaul. Xbox fans must now take a hard look at Game Pass and see if it can answer the bell (Spoilers: It does).

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Starfield & Redfall Are Delayed To 2023 - What’s Next? May 15, 2022

Xbox and Bethesda's partnership was destined to bear fruit in 2022. Now, that has been pushed back as it has been confirmed that Starfield and Redfall are now slated for the first half of 2023. To say this is catastrophic would be an understatement even if it means we receive better games at the end of the road. The showcase, the expectations, the holiday window, the shake-up of releases for 2023, the potential shotgun blast of those, and many more ramifications we likely won't know of until they hit. This marks Bethesda Game Studios' first true delay since Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in 2005 when it was, ironically, pushed back to Spring 2006 for the Xbox 360. Joining us is ColtEastwood to discuss the Xbox Everywhere initiative along with the newly announced Summer Games Fest showcase which presents a problem Xbox is much happier to have. That being, where do they slot in the numerous announcements and big reveals they have planned? If reports are to be believed, the spread has increased to three if you include Gamescom and offers the team the ability to spread the wealth. Problems both good and bad for the green machine have arrived and it's time for us alongside our lovely guest to discuss.

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The Xbox & Bethesda 2022 Games Showcase Cannot Fail May 08, 2022

It's been a busy week in gaming. Between Square Enix, WB Games, and Ubisoft, the acquisition conversation has never been hotter and now with a move by Embracer yet another piece has been removed from the chess board. Bringing this Embracer Group to a staggering 14,000 employees and 200+ games in development, this move to acquire Square Enix's western division has put the industry on watch. Matty and Cog discuss the future of Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, other abandoned Square Enix IP, as well as the future of both Square and Embracer. More important to the Xbox fandom is the newly announced Summer Showcase for 2022. Xbox and Bethesda are teaming up again on June 12th for what is a show that must be a statement. This has to be where a new era of Xbox begins in earnest.

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Ubisoft Is Next For Acquisition + Bethesda 'Leaks' Everywhere May 01, 2022

During acquisition season, many of us have been surprised by targets such as Zenimax, ABK, and Bungie. However, there is one company that has been on all of our bingo cards and that's Ubisoft. Reports are arriving which state that the company is preparing to sell off in the face of yet another takeover as their share prices continue to nosedive. While Ubisoft claims they can remain independent, can they truly? Outside of the Ubisoft rumors, Bethesda is trudging through many of their own. A Mandalorian game, Roundhouse's possible comic book game, and updates on Elder Scrolls VI? I (Matty) have spent time rummaging through these leaks to get to the bottom of what is happening here and it's time to spill some tea. Preferably spilled with a spoon, which we also get into.

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SEGA 'Super Game' Leaks + Halo Infinite's Second Wind Apr 24, 2022

JET SET RADIOOOOOOO! After all this time, it looks like it may be finally back. Even 'crazier,' Crazy Taxi also looks to be in the mix as both series are set to return through SEGA's mysterious "Super Game" as fully developed AAA games. Despite Matty and Cog's optimism, we can't help but feel some ominous energy emanating from this new venture of SEGA's in a world full of microtransactions and NFTs. Furthermore, details for Season 2 of Halo Infinite have arrived and things are looking up for the struggling service game. New modes, maps, and even more details on the leaked Battle Royale mode. What do the boys think of this second wind for Xbox's flagship IP? Plus, more on Star Wars, Marvel, and DC games as all have announcements (or leaks) of their own this week! These are all topics that can bring people together, but what of your utensil of choice for Mac & Cheese? This is what separates the men from the boys and we are about to learn a lot about each other in this episode.

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Xbox's Brand New Partnership + Kingdom Hearts 4 Is Real Apr 17, 2022

Halo Infinite has struggled mightily out the gate to supply content post launch, but with Certain Affinity joining the crew at 343 in official capacity; things may now finally start heading in the other direction. Certain Affinity has appeared in a multitude of Xbox related reports as they are not only working on Halo, but also chipping away on an exclusive Monster Hunter styled game. Indeed, this 'support studio' is more than what meets the eye. Over in unreality or whatever it is, Kingdom Hearts 4 is announced. There are parallels to Final Fantasy Versus XIII, a more realistic Sora, grappling hooks, Star Wars, and much more. Yes, it's a Tetsuya Nomura game. It's a week worthy of celebration for weebs far and wide as beyond Kingdom Hearts there is renowned Shonen Jump publisher Shueisha who has entered the game space. That plus major legal developments in the case between Activision/California, May's day one Game Pass lineup, the boneless chicken wing saga, and even education on store brand goods make for one of our most varied DDs to date.

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Game Pass Price Increase + Undead Labs "In Trouble" Apr 10, 2022

Long have we anticipated a price increase for Xbox Game Pass and, in some cases, many had requested this. According to Brad Sams, this change is coming and it is possible it lands when the Activision acquisition is complete. It will be a different landscape for the brand then upon the completion of said deal likely to be in 2023 and it is largely expected that is when we will finally see more output from Xbox Game Studios. Before the price increase hits, reports have landed of a potential family plan incoming as well. We spoke at large about the status of Undead Labs and now the expose` has landed. Arriving via 12 sources, some former employees, there is much to discuss on the journalistic integrity of these reports and where other stories lie.

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The Xbox Game Pass "Killer" Has Arrived... Apr 03, 2022

After many weeks of reporting, leaking, and speculating, PlayStation's answer to Game Pass is here. Jim Ryan said as much over a year ago that PlayStation was working on that answer to the booming service and it arrives in the form of a three tier subscription that manages to outprice its main competitor. How does it stand on its own and how does it compare to the current dominance of Game Pass? Is PlayStation bowing out of day-and-date releases enough for them to tread water? The Dukes dig in. On Xbox's own home turf, there seems to be trouble brewing. Former Undead Labs studio head Jeff Strain got ahead of a Kotaku piece on him and the studio with his own response to the questions asked by the outlet. It is merely one half of the tale, but is yet another studio going to come under fire? Time shall tell. More importantly then all of this hullabaloo: Chicken wings and game title abbreviations. This is where the really conversation lies in this week's Defining Duke.

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PlayStation Keeps Buying Studios + The Witcher 4 Announced Mar 27, 2022

It's a mixed bag kind of week. From chicken wing and soda slander all the way down to the latest at CD Projekt Red, this episode covers a lot of ground if I do say so myself. A new Witcher game has been announced, PlayStation gobbles up another studio in a most organic way, and former Microsoft partner Moon Studios is in big trouble. Plus news on a Ubisoft showcase and the latest on the Xbox x Steam Deck integrations. There's plenty of discussion to go around, so get cozy and let's chat about the latest week in the world of video games.

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Perfect Dark In Trouble + Huge New Starfield Details Revealed Mar 20, 2022

Out of all the studios that have been added to their first party stable in the past five years, The Initiative is the only one that Xbox has attempted to build from the ground up. Everything has been brought in with huge acquisitions. This is important for the team to nail and things are looking mighty unsteady at this moment when looking at a recent report detailing almost half of The Initiative's talent leaving the new studio. Leadership issues, bottlenecks in production, and shifts in design seemingly have all led to this moment and now the newly hired Crystal Dynamics have more on their plate than anticipated. That's for the bad news. The good news? Xbox enjoyed an indie showcase, made some great Game Pass announcements, but most of all is the Godd Howard sci-fi RPG that we're all stoked for: Starfield. In it's most significant trailer since the reveal, we learned a lot about this game. The Dukes dive deep on this one plus the disparity of a world without chicken wings, our love for moms, and many more important gaming centric topics.

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New Bethesda Game Leaks + Halo Infinite In Trouble Mar 13, 2022

All is quiet on the Xbox front as they churn away on their plans for late 2022. In the meantime, fans are beginning to get a tad restless and with the recent update on Halo Infinite, it seems those feelings may persist. Delays, developers leaving, and an unclear road map paint a not so good picture for the service game. Beyond that, Bethesda Game Studios has had a rare leak revolving around a new IP called "SpyTeam." What is this new game and is the team behind Starfield working on it? We investigate! Plus, new State Of Play announcements, Gotham Knights release date, and Matty & Cog's FIRST ever argument...

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Obsidian Making Fallout New Vegas 2 + Game Pass To Steam Deck Mar 06, 2022

A new Fallout game has long been the request of the Dukes, especially Matty. Finally, we have a nugget of information that suggests this one day might finally become a reality. If reports are to be believed then the talks have begun in earnest at Microsoft to make this a reality. What does this mean for the likes of Fallout 76, potential remasters, and the setting of the next entry? Matty has been patient, so there is much for us to discuss. Beyond that, the release of the Steam Deck has been a mostly positive reception and we have always fantasized about a local version for PC Game Pass. Gabe Newell has put the ball in Microsoft's court, so it's time for us to decide what fate this service shall receive. Otherwise, more reports of a large incoming acquisition, PlatinumGames thirst, and Elden Ring adoration give us more to sink into.

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Xbox-Activision Deal Gets Spicy & Dragon Age 4 In Trouble Feb 27, 2022

After weeks of reports, an SEC filing to the FTC has unveiled the ins-and-outs of the dealing between Xbox and Activision. It is fascinating to learn that a mere day after Phil Spencer sent out an e-mail stating he was deeply disturbed by Activision and revising their relationships that he had made the call one day later to initiate a potential acquisition. With much tea spilt, the Duke certainly have thoughts on this one. What is more shocking is that Call Of Duty is receiving its first delay in two whole decades. The FPS franchise has been annualized for many years and in 2023 that will be coming to a halt. Does Xbox's involvement have anything to do with this? We dissect. The ups and downs of BioWare are well documented here as EA is reportedly doing well with the development of Dragon Age 4 yet doesn't plan to remaster the fantasy RPG trilogy. That report was then flipped on its head when BioWare stepped out and noted yet another major departure. It's a spicy week all in all and the Dukes are ready to fan the flames!

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PlatinumGames Wants Xbox To Acquire Them + PlayStation Censorship Feb 20, 2022

It's a jumbled mess of news this week. Xbox's messaging continues to puzzle the Dukes as Phil Spencer has claimed he wants games like Starfield to be the most played Todd Howard game yet it has the most walls surrounding it. We see "popular Activision Blizzard titles" are remaining multi-platform, so the situation for Bethesda is different. Will this energy be maintained in future deals? That will be most telling and it's possible that Microsoft has a potential candidate. PlatinumGames can't help but want to work with Xbox as it has been two weeks straight of them making headlines with their desires. Last week, it was a Scalebound revival. Now? It's the desire to be acquired. Furthermore, PlayStation is at the center of another "censorship" discussion. This time, the subject is Martha Is Dead which is modifying content and thus delaying the physical release of the indie developer LKA's game. How far can these platform holders be allowed to go and how often should it actually occur? There is much to discuss, so let's settle in and have a chat.

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The Activision Exclusives Situation Gets Perplexing Feb 13, 2022

The Dukes have spoken on multiple accounts about Xbox progress as a brand, but their communication leaves much to be desired. There has been no better public example than the back-and-forth statements on how Xbox plans to handle the games from their newly acquired publisher, Activision. From uncertainty, to delays of when the team will speak on such subjects, an "intent" to honor agreements, and now the latest statement which says that Call Of Duty will remain multiplatform. It leaves the Dukes asking what this means for future deals if Bethesda's acquisition was specifically for exclusives. Are some for Game Pass? Are others to keep Tencent and others away? It's tough to constantly read between the lines. In more digestible news, Scalebound is a potential return target, Halo Infinite is "dying," Nintendo is on another planet, and a man who listens to our show eats a whole onion for lunch.

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PlayStation Has Acquired Bungie Feb 06, 2022

Goodbye, old friend. Bungie, who is directly responsible for putting Xbox on the map in 2001, has gone around quite a bit. From exiting their relationship with Microsoft, to entering a 10 year deal with Activision involving Destiny, breaking off of said deal, receiving an investment from NetEase, and thanks to PlayStation the circle is now complete. For the price of $3.6 billion, PlayStation has purchased Halo developer Bungie. While not a direct response to Xbox's acquisition of Activision, it is a shrewd move that assures their position in the FPS space. The dominos are beginning to fall and there are more acquisitions to be expected. As things heat up, the Dukes analyze the industry's latest blockbuster deal. While not as earth shattering, Xbox enjoyed themselves quite a weekend adding Two Point Campus and Sony developed MLB The Show 22 to Xbox Game Pass on day one. In worse news, the Halo Infinite roadmap is seeing a delay, CD Projekt Red looks to be selling Cyberpunk again, and Battlefield 2042 has one of the most absurd post launch updates we have seen. It's a roller coaster of an industry, that's for sure.

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The Xbox-Activision Aftermath + Gears Of War Collection Leaks ft. Xbox Two Jan 30, 2022

A little over a week after the industry's biggest news yet and with some time on our side, the dust is beginning to settle on Xbox latest acquisition. With things beginning to marinate, we now have an opportunity to dissect all of the legal hullabaloo that has been circulating. Sony's response, Phil Spencer's "intent" or "desires," and the revival of dead Activision IP are linger in the aftermath of an earth shattering deal. Joining us are Rand Al Thor and Jez Corden of Xbox Two in an Avengers like crossover to sift through it all. It's not just Activision in the cycle anymore! Gears Of War looks to be set to get the 'Master Chief Collection Treatment' next as rumors have cropped up for the long overdue remaster. There's plenty to be excited about, but it doesn't stop there as we also have a plethora of newly announced Respawn Star Wars games. All isn't well in a galaxy far, far away considering that the newly re-revealed LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga from TT Games has reportedly suffered from crunch. Oh, and other important things like is an onion sandwich legal or what condiment is Xbox? Ya know, the essentials.

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Xbox Has Acquired Activision Blizzard Jan 23, 2022

For the long time Defining Duke listeners, we all know you have been waiting for a week like this. A time where a major haymaker is delivered by Microsoft and we can break it all down together. For the staggering price of $68.7 billion, Xbox has acquired publisher Activision and with it come a slew of development teams and IP that we're not quite sure even they know what to do with. Beyond inheriting a plethora of potential exclusive games and bolstering Game Pass, Xbox takes in damaged goods. Activision is far from squeaky clean as they have suffered from toxic workplace conditions for years with a leader at the top willing to purchase two companies with game's media in an effort to steer the narrative away from such a truth. It's ugly and there's a lot of tendrils to this conversation. Games, exclusives, monopoly, mobile gaming, and so much more. It's time to talk about about the industry's most historic acquisition yet in what will be a series of many from the hungry competitor moving forward.

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Major Xbox Exclusive Delayed + E3 2022 Gets Canned Jan 16, 2022

2022 continues at its rip-roar pace for Xbox. One of the major pieces in its early year strategy, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, has received a significant seven month delay. With a new vacancy created and only CrossfireX and Tunic remaining, we believe Xbox needs to make a big move ASAP. This would come in the form of Game Pass, so Matty and Cog shake out the potential options. Separately, E3 2022 has already been canceled while the likes PAX and GDC are continuing on with their set plans. The reasoning? As always, the pandemic. However, there is enough reasonable doubt here to bring about another angle of the conversation. Last, but not least is the latest Phil Spencer interview with New York Times. From politics, to Activision, and the sales of Xbox, he divulges much about their current strategy. That's not to mention the likes of Dying Light 2's length, Final Fantasy's absense from Xbox, and plenty more that is left to be discussed.

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Xbox & Ubisoft's Game Pass Partnership + GoldenEye 007 Xbox Exclusive Leaks Jan 09, 2022

Xbox has hit the ground running in 2022 with a variety of announcements, news, and leaks. For starters, Ubisoft and Xbox have finally teamed up for a day one drop on Xbox Game Pass. The game? The $40 spin-off 'Rainbow Six: Extraction' or as the Dukes like to call it: Rainbow Six: Experiment. Indeed, it looks as if the seeds are being planted for more deals in the future for the two companies. Otherwise, a classic overdue for both a remaster and return is GoldenEye 007. In 2008, Xbox nearly succeeded in their attempt to revive the game, but it came to nothing due to legal complications. Again, the remaster has leaked, but this one is different. Furthermore, a new piece by Jason Schreier has arrived discussing Ken Levine and his status as an "auteur" in video games. The Duke have many thoughts to share on this that are too large to be simplified. That goes for the rest of the news in a week where Playground Games studio head made his exit, Undead Labs opened up a new studio, and much, much more. This is only the beginning! Let's ride.

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The Dukes Top 5 Best & Worst Games Of 2021 Jan 02, 2022

Hot takes ahoy! Matty and Cog have played a lot in a year that has often been referred to as a “down year for video games.” As always there are lists of games to sift through, but the Dukes shed their lists down to the top five of the very best and worst this year had to offer us. We promise these lists will shock, amaze, stun, and disappoint.

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The Best & Worst Of Xbox Game Pass Dec 26, 2021

It's the holiday season and maybe Santa got some of you a shiny new Xbox! With that Xbox (or PC, we didn't forget!) you might find yourself perusing the catalog of hundreds of Game Pass games. It can be overwhelming to sift through page after page of alluring games especially with how great so many of them are. Matty and Cog are lucky enough to be able to sit down and play many of these games to help guide the audience towards or away from them. Today, we present to you our Top 5 Game Pass games of the year, Game Pass busts of the year, and even xCloud picks. It's a culmination of the must plays, precedent setters, fraud alerts, too-little-too-lates, and streamable games that filled out a busy 2021 calendar for Xbox.

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Splinter Cell Returns + S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Dives Into NFTs Dec 19, 2021

We'll give it to you straight. Hot off The Game Awards, it hasn't been a great look for "modern gaming." The NFT floodgates have burst wide open, massive delays are inbound, and now those sacred video game discs don't even arrive with the full game on them. Matty and Cog cut through the noise and get to the heart of each of these matters. Such as the highly anticipated reveal of Splinter Cell with a brand new remake. Should a company as creatively and morally bankrupt as Ubisoft be trusted with such a revered series anymore? This could be the cause of more harm than good. Beyond that, a timed Xbox exclusive has rolled out an NFT offering that is widely maligned. Developer GSC Game World has offered paying customers the chance to become an NPC in game through their own NFT program. It has not been pretty, so Matty and Cog offer no mercy on this one. In other news, we dig into the continuous offerings of Game Pass, Bully 2 rumors, and Forza Horizon 5 sales!

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Hellblade 2's Incredible Reveal + The Game Awards Fallout Dec 12, 2021

In an episode chockful of time traveling, we breakdown all that transpired during the bemoaned Game Awards. It was advertisements galore, television, celebrities and movies aplenty, where you had a sneaking suspicion that Joel McHale was going to make a surprise return somewhere throughout. Despite all of this, we at least had games and many promising ones at that! Among those was the highly anticipated reveal of Hellblade 2's gameplay which many thought were pure cinematics. Indeed, Ninja Theory wowed the industry with their Unreal Engine 5 developed exclusive and there was plenty more to feast on beyond this reveal. Matty and Cog also dig into the latest "PlayStation Game Pass" and what a real challenge could mean for Microsoft moving forward in a space that was controlled only by them. That, plus Battlefield restructuring, an XBOX HANDHELD, more Activision shake-ups, and yes, even Halo Infinite updates.

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Our Predictions For The Game Awards + R.I.P. Xbox FPS Boost Dec 05, 2021

The Game Awards marketing showcase is soon upon us which means significant game announcements are inbound. Xbox fans in particular should keep a close eye on this show as Microsoft has made important reveals on Geoff Keighley's stage in the past such as with the Xbox Series X and Hellblade II just in 2019. Matty and Cog pick apart both the nominations for the popularity contest and possible announcements to be made in what should be a fun cap to the year. Let it be known that Dragon Age Origins is a good game, but that era of BioWare is long gone. With turnover really damaging what this RPG titan used to be, they're in desperate need of a win. Now with Dragon Age 4 losing its creative director midway through development, another layer of uncertainty envelops this studio. This may not be a surprise, but what may catch fans off guard is Xbox putting FPS boost down along with their backwards compatible initiative. All this plus more video game fight stories, Halo band-aids, and Christmas games tie together our first December episode!

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Halo Goes Gold + SEGA Shuts Down Exclusives Nov 28, 2021

The festivities are beginning to heat up as turkey day is soon upon us! With that, news is slowing down a bit and gives us a lot of room for more audience interactions. As always, you are the stars of our show (besides Cog) and we think that's quite apparent in this episode. Beyond the love shared between us and the audience, we tackle Halo Infinite's master copy being sent to the production line. With the release date being stamped in ink, Matty and Cog gutcheck the hype levels. SEGA and Xbox recently announced an alliance together to work on a "super game" of sorts. As the two parties grew closer, more exclusives were safely expected from many. SEGA has got ahead of that line of thinking and shuts down the notion of this collaboration leading to more significant releases for Xbox. Is this just a step in Xbox buttering up SEGA or is there truly nothing to this deal?

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Halo Infinite Has Arrived + Tons Of New Xbox Back Compat Games Nov 21, 2021

Xbox's 20th anniversary was one to remember! After a lot of damage done to Halo by 343, they made a positive imprint on the franchise with one of its most memorable moments. The multiplayer component is available now and despite the worrying Battle Pass, the game is great. Joining us is Rand Al Thor to discuss that on top of new backwards compatible additions to the library. Matty brought his candle to commemorate those that sadly did not make the cut. Additionally, Phil Spencer voices his thoughts on pressing topics such as the sustainability of Xbox Game Pass and the exclusivity in Elder Scrolls VI! Some shocking and some not so much...

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Forza Horizon 5 Soars + Todd Howard Explains Wait For Elder Scrolls VI Nov 14, 2021

You know things are changing amongst the ecosystem when Xbox actually shares data about the performance of their games. Beyond Game Pass, the team typically keeps the numbers close to their chest however that's not the case with Forza Horizon 5 which is the biggest Xbox Game Studios title to date. At a staggering 4.5 million players and one of those millions coming from those willing to pay for early access, the tremendous success of this open world racer brings about many questions for the rest of the first party family's upcoming releases. On top of that, the OG Checker Ryan McCaffrey conducted an interview with Lord and Savior Godd Howard. It's there in a transparent conversation that we get a close look at how Todd feels about the long gap between Skyrim and the next mainline entry for Elder Scrolls. Furthermore we hear some thoughts on the possibility of handing off the Fallout license and even an affirmation on Starfield's release date. It's jam packed from top to bottom with further insight on the next acquisition via Phil Spencer and how the team at Xbox wants tempered expectations for nearly all their events.

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Is Something Big Brewing Between Xbox & SEGA? Nov 07, 2021

Over the following weekend, a seemingly PR loaded announcement came out of SEGA in regards to them teaming up with Xbox. However, after the Dukes did some digging, there is much more than what meets the eye here. The last year and change has been decorated by under-the-radar dealing between the two and now they have revealed their most significant partnership to date. Is an acquisition happening in the coming years? If not, what are the bare minimum expectations from such a partnership? With Sarah Bond spearheading this teaming of the brands, we can certainly say it's gaming focused. In other notable Xbox news, Halo Infinite had a peculiar listing that eagle eyed outlets spotted. Going by the name of "early access" bundle, it appears to be self-explanatory that Xbox is taking the same route with Halo that they did with Forza. Otherwise, Xbox loses a notable indie exclusive after short window, Blizzard's woes continue in spectacular fashion, and Oculus makes some long overdue changes to the VR space.

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Our Extended Thoughts On Halo Infinite's Campaign Re-Reveal Oct 31, 2021

Finally! After a year and change, Halo Infinite's campaign has been shown off again. We see a familiar open world structure and with that comes the fear that Ubisoft has placed in many of us. What do Matty & Cog feel about all that has changed between August 2020 and now? As of late, it isn't an episode of Defining Duke without a noteworthy leak and, again, we have both Jez Corden and Jeff Grubb to thank for that. It comes in the forms of details on both Project Shaolin and Project Belfry. It appears the codenames are indeed subtle giveaways on the core of each game. That's great and all, but it pales in comparison to the Defining Dueces. Arguably our most important segment yet finally gets a worthy spotlight!

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Xbox's 20th Anniversary Event + Game Pass Growth Struggles Oct 24, 2021

It's a stacked week for the Dukes! Getting right into it, Xbox has announced an event to celebrate their 20th anniversary. While there won't be new game announcements, there are many alternative routes to be taken. Beyond familiar backwards compatible speculation is a chance to spotlight Halo Infinite's campaign yet again. Outside of this, there are many guesses as to what can be shown to us in November. While there is much good news to celebrate, on the surface it may seem like some bad news has arrived. Xbox Game Pass did not meet its target growth! Is this a bad thing? Taking a look at the numbers tells a much, much different tale. Fable fans continue to suffer greatly, PlayStation brings God Of War to PC, Splinter Cell is back in action, and so much more in a loaded episode!

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Avowed Gameplay + Story Details Leak ft. Ryan McCaffrey Oct 17, 2021

It's a big week for the Dukes! One of Xbox's most significant acquisitions in the last half decade is Obsidian Entertainment. They are a extremely talented studio who has been consistently worked over by every publisher they have worked alongside in some way, shape, or form and they now with Microsoft's pockets backing them up they will aim to make a big splash with Avowed. While it has long been described as "Obsidian's Skyrim," we were never 100% sure... until now. Joining us to discuss a recent huge leak about Avowed is IGN's Ryan McCaffrey and the timing couldn't be better. Beyond that, we dive into PlayStation's recent insistence on reaching tens and hundreds of millions of gamers. Will they take Xbox's pathway to reach that number or is there something else they have in mind? That plus 20th Anniversary predictions, the pressing discussion on how long a $60 should be, and much more!

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Xbox Makes Big Announcements In Japan Oct 10, 2021

At the Tokyo Game Show, Xbox unveiled quite a bit ranging from exciting additions to Game Pass in the form of AI: The Somnium Files and Scarlet Nexus to Cloud Gaming finally being available in many more areas around the world. The question we're left with is, is this enough? Has Xbox ceased its half measures in Japan and are finally taking it seriously? Cog and Matty debate. There has also been much movement on the PC front from Capcom's public commitment to Epic taking a page out of the PlayStation playbook for their own achievements. It's not all good news as a leaked memo has stated that China plans on implementing more restrictions on gaming. That plus your Patron write-ins!

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Xbox & Crystal Dynamics' Weird Relationship + More Studio Acquisitions ft. Jeff Grubb Oct 03, 2021

In this episode of Defining Duke we are joined by Jeff Grubb to go over the latest in gaming! Before we get into anything, someone should call Tostitos because there are a ton of scoops this week. The biggest headline circling the Xbox camps is what is happening with Crystal Dynamics? Recently, they were brought into the fold to work on Perfect Dark, but now that partnership has expanded to a Game Pass deal for Avengers that seemed long overdue. Excellent timing or something brewing? We scoop! Beyond that, Netflix has joined what is a big time for spending across game companies. Welcoming in Night School Studio to their game development program, we are left asking one question. Is there a particular reason for these studios getting gobbled up? Diving into the nature of the industry plus the economy is required! That plus behind-the-scenes on scoops, why Matty likes Quantum Break, and much more decorate a very fun episode Defining Duke.

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New Xbox Exclusives Leak + Big Unannounced Star Wars Game Teased Sep 26, 2021

This week, the leaky faucets of the games industry were at work! For starters, Dad Of Xbox Jez Corden went to work providing details on Project Indus & Project Cobalt which were discussed during last week's Defining Duke. Through this report, we learn a lot of secrets on what developer Oxide Games and inXile are up to. Beyond that, a new Star Wars game is reportedly in development if multiple sources are to be trusted. The team behind it? Quantic Dream who recently split off from PlayStation. The crazier aspect? It's supposedly open world! The Dukes discuss this big change of pace.

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Nvidia's GeForce Now Leaks Huge Upcoming 2022 Games Sep 19, 2021

In this week's Defining Duke, we are joined by none other than "The Mayor" Ben Smith who serves as Last Stand Media's associate producer. No, nothing happened to Sea Of Thieves! However, it appears there is a leak in a ship at sea known as GeForce Now. It is on this cloud based streaming service that recently we saw the likes of Resident Evil 4 Remake, Injustice 3, a new Lord Of The Rings game, Kingdom Hearts 4, and plenty more leak. Now, Nvidia is attempting to do damage control, but the boys have thoughts on leaks beyond familiar names. Within this are codenames for upcoming Xbox exclusives! In other news, Knights Of The Old Republic is leaving Xbox behind (for a limited time) and you know that Matty just couldn't help himself with this one. Beyond the Marvel and Star Wars discourse is a conversation on important subjects like Cog's grunting, Matty's priority of cigars instead of city keys, and much more.

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PlayStation Makes Smart Delivery Shine Sep 12, 2021

In a lighter news week, we shift our attention to PlayStation who was making the most noise. Thanks to next-gen upgrade backlash surrounding Horizon Forbidden West, the pitchforks were pulled out and raised high by fans of the platform. With that, Matty & Cog dip into PlayStation's incidental marketing of Smart Delivery and how the service is being pushed without Xbox doing much of anything. Scoping out the lay of the land, it appears that a $10 upgrade could be questionable depending on how long last generation titles hang around. In other headlines, Alan Wake is back! Formerly an Xbox exclusive, fans beyond that ecosystem can finally experience its wacky and zany nature this fall. What does this mean for the future of the series? We discuss! Perhaps more discussed than any of this is the situation over at Tripwire where CEO John Gibson was removed after comments made about a new bill passed in Texas. After revealing his thoughts on the situation, John is out, and with that we have a important topic to mull over.

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Xbox Sets Their Sights On Japan Sep 05, 2021

Hideo Kojima is a name that continues to be tossed around on a partnership for Xbox, but it appears his work with PlayStation isn't finished if reports of a Death Stranding 2 are to be trusted. Is this a case of a mistranslated quote from actor Norman Reedus or will Kojima play both sides of the fence? Knowing the optics of the situation, you would have to assume that Xbox would like to isolate the legendary director. In other news, Xbox has announced a showcase of sorts for Tokyo Game Show. After Gamescom, the industry learned their lesson that the term "showcase" doesn't mean information galore and you may not even be able to trust that its biggest games are there. With expectations firmly in check, Matty and Cog dive into how Xbox needs to make strong moves to become a global brand. From localization to establishing new talent, it has been a consistent weak spot for the brand. The most important question asked in our show's history has also been answered: would we rather watch our parents do it everyday for the rest of our lives or join in once? It's an Xbox gaming show, what did you expect? A clever third answer just may raise its head...

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Halo Infinite Gets a Release Date & Xbox’s Questionable Gamescom ft. Jez Corden Aug 29, 2021

It's another juicy episode and there's no one better to have alongside us to break everything down then Jez Corden of Windows Central Gaming. After a week of announcements across QuakeCon and Gamescom, we gather to break it all down. From Halo Infinite's long anticipated release date all the way to updates on titles such as Forza Horizon 5, Age Of Empires IV, The Gunk, and major new Game Pass editions. Bethesda also had a loud week as they are planning to sell us Skyrim again along with a host of new content on top of Fallout Worlds showing up in September. Beyond that, they dipped further into the nostalgia bag with Quake Remastered!

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Phil Spencer Aims To Offer More Than A PlayStation Copycat Aug 22, 2021

This week, Phil answered one of the most pressing questions since the reveal of the Steam Deck. Can it play Xbox games via the cloud? Now, we finally have our answer. Carrying it beyond that, Matty and Cognito dive into if this is enough or could Xbox go make their own handheld with Nintendo and Valve successfully entering the space? Beyond that, the head of Xbox took an interview with GamesRadar where they honed in on the fine craft of PlayStation and their excellent open world titles. His reply to the status of those games was telling of where the company is heading and the diverse portfolio they aim to bring. Drumming up more Xbox drama, Outriders developer People Can Fly listed quite the revelation on their investor website. It appears the game is not profitable! The question is, as a day one Xbox Game Pass game, is this the cause of the failure? The boys sink into the controversy which goes beyond Xbox! Such as with Boyfriend Dungeon, a game who's artistic interpretation of dark subject matter has been met with demands of censorship and opt-outs. A topic that has arguably brought more players to the game rather than pushing them away as intended. Rounding it, Matty and Cognito dive into Remedy's recent success, Rockstar's remasters, and the latest coming to Xbox Game Pass!

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Xbox Gears Up For Big Gamescom Showcase Aug 15, 2021

Joining us this week in one of our longest episodes to date is the Man With A Million, Rand Al Thor! Matty, Cognito, and Rand team up for the perfect week as Xbox blew the lid off all their plans for upcoming content. For starters, three different showcases arrived for the company this month. One has already passed which is ID @ Xbox's Twitch indie showcase. What Game Pass additions and indie gems caught the boys' eyes? Later in August is the headliner, Xbox's Gamescom show. It aims to provide updates to titles coming THIS YEAR. Is it finally time for a Halo Infinite release date? Will the illusive titles such as The Gunk and Runic show up? Plenty of questions that we hope to have answered. Also in August is QuakeCon, a Bethesda focused event which will provide updates on their very own games. The pressing question being how slim are the chances of exclusives like Starfield and Redfall appearing? We can only hope for updates! Speaking of, plenty of updates come to current and upcoming titles. Stalker 2, Hellblade, Atomic Heart, and plenty more!

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Halo Infinite Suffers A Major Leak Aug 08, 2021

Alongside a fantastic technical preview for Halo Infinite's multiplayer came some scary news for fans who have been waiting years for Infinite to finally drop. For starters, story spoilers are spreading throughout the web thanks to campaign files which were data mined from that very technical preview. That's not all as the very fitting battle royale mode may have also been discovered thanks to some voice lines uncovered by Jeff Steitzer! What do all these leaks make for the future of this make-or-break title for Xbox? The Duke discuss! Furthermore, Forza Motorsport 7 has been curiously delisted from all Xbox digital marketplaces. It's still playable and available, but the racing sim sized hole is now being filled with questions. With other Game Pass games tangled with licenses suffer a similar fate? The Ascent launched this past week on Xbox, PC, and Game Pass! It's yet another important exclusive as Xbox finds its legs. Matty and Cog dig in on what works and doesn't for this beautiful twin stick shooting action RPG. In other news, the Activision Blizzard situation continues to develop with a new page being added to the sorrowful storybook day by day. We finally delve into the ugly situation and all it has to offer.

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Xbox's Biggest 2021 Games Finally Get Major News Aug 01, 2021

Lots happening in the Xbox world this week! For starters, eager fans can finally sink their teeth into Halo Infinite flight testing as it goes live this weekend. Only one of the two hosts made it in... can you guess who? That aside, it is a test boasting bot matches, but more than anything we will finally be able to get a true feel of the game! On the other end of the spectrum, Forza Horizon 5 displayed even more impressive visuals throughout three new biomes. The game is staggering on multiple levels and we comb through the details on this highly anticipated exclusive. Beyond that, we dip our toes into The Coalition pool where the talented team showed off some tech demos using Unreal Engine 5. Gears Of War 6 is confirmed to look beautiful! Between major drops on Game Pass with Microsoft Flight Simulator and The Ascent along with big fall games sneaking up, Xbox looks to be finally hitting their stride for the year.

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Valve & Xbox's Limitless Potential With Steam Deck Jul 25, 2021

Last week saw the PC savvy Valve announce their entrance into the console market in the form of a handheld that aims to bring the PC experience in Switch-like form factor. As Team Handheld, Matty and Lord Cognito immediately love what they see, but the potential in Steam Deck goes beyond that of Valve. Indeed, it is the potential Xbox has to grow through this device like many others as we continue to wonder if Xbox will finally enter the handheld market. Beyond that, Xbox saw a record month in hardware sales likely thanks to their strong E3 2021 showcase. Together, we analyze the numbers and if they represent the future of Xbox's success? That success is due to a commitment of exclusives! One of which has now been delayed in the name of Fatshark's Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. It has slipped into 2022, so the team discusses. More importantly, your Patron questions such as Cog's commitment to the New York Mets and Matty's broken heart over Mega Man. It's a fire episode, so get cozy!

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Phil Spencer Opens Up On Xbox's Single Player Future Jul 18, 2021

The Xbox team made the press rounds this week and dove into the likes of controller changes, VR/AR, early access, but most importantly to everyone (and especially Cog!) is that #JustONE! Fans have wanted Xbox to go all out with their single player narrative games and Phil Spencer has just claimed they have more in development than they ever had in the history of Xbox. An exciting trajectory for sure, so Matty and Cog shake out Xbox's future. Alongside that, a major week in the world of Japanese games. PC trouble has struck spin-off series Judgment and Persona celebrates its 25th anniversary! Will Johnny & Associates enter the modern age and let Takuya Kimura follow his wife on Instagram?! What of the future of Judgment as a series?! We discuss that alongside the alluring idea of Persona heading to Xbox and much more in a jam packed week.

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The Shocking Future Of GTA 6 & Assassin's Creed Infinity Jul 11, 2021

Reports, reports, and more reports! That's a TLDR for you. We have reports on the future of Grand Theft Auto's next entry which will feature an "evolving map" best compared to events in Fortnite. Assassin's Creed joins the fray of single player platforms that will be supported for years. In yet another report, it is revealed that much like Halo Infinite, Assassin's Creed will have a platform boasting multiple settings which will be added to for many years to come. How does this shift the single player landscape? In other (you guessed it) reports, we learn about a letter of intent signed between Hideo Kojima and Xbox that will likely guarantee this partnership bears fruit. I warned ya! Lots of reports.

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PlayStation & Xbox Continue Studio Acquisitions - Who's Next? Jul 04, 2021

In a special episode, we welcome Lord Cognito into the Last Stand Media family as our permanent co-host for Defining Duke. Cognito brings years of podcasting experience across Iron Lords Podcast & The Last Word podcast while standing as a strong representation of what Last Stand brings to the table. Honesty, respect, and hard work. He was #1 on our list and we're honored to have him in the fold week in and week out. Now, for the news! In the realm of PlayStation, they wrapped up one (maybe even two) studios that clearly belong in their first party portfolio. Those being Housemarque and Bluepoint. The two titans continue to battle in their own way and, as always, the question is who's next? Matty and Cog dissect! Otherwise, Phil Spencer provides much sought after clarity on the release window of Halo Infinite. Why exactly didn't we get a date? Phil provides the goods on top of the status of Killer Instinct's future! With that combined with more pressing topics like Cognito's burger choice, we have a lot to get through today.

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EA Motive Is Reportedly Reviving Dead Space Jun 27, 2021

First and foremost, a big thank to Karak for being an excellent host for Defining Duke. We will miss his commentary, jokes, and analysis on the latest in Xbox. With that in mind, Defining Duke will soon be bringing a new host on board that we will announce soon. Onto the news! Xbox has touted the cloud for years and now they're making big hirings and one in particular is for Hideo Kojima to help him make something for Xbox. The prospect of Xbox extracting one of the dominant players in the PlayStation space certainly is tantalizing and it looks like they plan to make big moves to ensure it goes according to their desires. Aside from that, EA is looking to resurrect (HA!) Dead Space! Hailing from EA Motive, it is reportedly a re-imagining and not a direct sequel. What does this mean for the survival horror franchise and EA's approach to reviving old franchises? More pressing, what are our thoughts on the nature of leaks full on spoiling big reveals? Matty and Ben team up to tackle this and much more!

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Xbox Eliminates The "No Games" Criticism Jun 20, 2021

One of the primary points of critique for Xbox since the Xbox One has been its lack of meaningful releases. It was significant when an exclusive occurred, but the towering dominance of quality known as PlayStation exclusives would play as cleanup time in and time out. After E3 2021, one part of the critique can be put to bed. Month in, month out, Xbox has games for 2021 and they are bringing many more in 2022 as their investments heat up for 2023. So, for the first time in our show, we can sit down just talk the games coming to Xbox with updates on them. Forza Horizon 5, Redfall, and plenty more big titles coming to Xbox get filled out with important information.

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Our Xbox + Bethesda E3 2021 Showcase Reactions Jun 15, 2021

It's a special episode for a special event. Xbox and Bethesda have teamed up for the first time to put on a showcase displaying what is heading to the ecosystem throughout the rest of 2021 and into 2022. Out of the 30 titles shown off, 27 are making their way to Xbox Game Pass which no doubt piles on the already staggering value. With that, they also hit hard with new console exclusives like Contraband, Starfield, Redfall, and many more. For a company with "no games," Xbox has attempted to flip that script very quickly. The remaining question is, has this showcase delivered enough to justify the purchase of the new consoles? Are concepts enough? As expected, we dive deep.

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Our Xbox E3 2021 Predictions feat. Lord Cognito Jun 06, 2021

Christmas in June has arrived! With E3 season in full swing, developers are set to make major announcements on all manner of games! With that, we tap the shoulder of Lord Cognito to dissect all 23 first party studios under Xbox and give our ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ to their appearance at the grand show. Who will we see? Time shall tell! In other news, Ubisoft dives into the political nature of their latest game, Far Cry 6. Meanwhile, Dying Light 2 enjoys a re-reveal and Battlefield is setting up to show itself on the 9th of June. That and plenty more to talk about in a jam packed episode!

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Valve Is Making The Leap To Consoles May 30, 2021

With E3 hyping ramping up, anything is possible! Yes, that even means Valve coming to consoles. Reports are in that the company is working on their own PC handheld akin to the Nintendo Switch. What does this mean for the likes of emulation, game streaming, xCloud, and more? There's plenty to sift through. Speaking of, Karak and Matty obsess to an annoying extent over the asset announcing Xbox's E3 showcase. Backwards compatible additions? Starfield? Halo Infinite beta? So many possibilities! Xbox's future DRM problems have reared its ugly head once more, this time thanks to the oft applauded Smart Delivery service. Can Xbox solve this crucial problem that will impact future generations of gamers?

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Let The Era Of Bethesda Exclusives Begin May 23, 2021

This week in news that's kind of, sort of not news, we talk a ton of Starfield! Just as Head Of Xbox Phil Spencer had said, it will indeed be an Xbox and PC exclusive. This brings forward two major questions. First, what is occurring in the industry where widely known news is news? Second, what does this mean for IP such as Fallout, Elder Scrolls, DOOM, Dishonored, and more? We re-visit and discuss! Plus, new Day One Game Pass additions in the name of Dungeons & Dragons Dark Alliance, Knockout City, and The Wild At Heart! Has Xbox Game Pass reached a point where consumers aren't as excited by the addition of day one launches through the service? Oh, and an advice show. Yes. Really.

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The Coalition Moves To Unreal Engine 5 + Halo Infinite Hits Controversy May 16, 2021

Xbox looks to be shifting to a next generation state of mind. First party studios inXile Entertainment, Ninja Theory, and now The Coalition have all moved their work to Unreal Engine 5. This settings up the alluring discussion of how quickly we can transition, if at all, into those generation defining experiences! All is not well in the first party world! 343 Industries came under seemingly unfair criticism from the press and content creators when accusations of crunch began to surface. This all stems back to a single skybox artist who used to work at the company, Eric Lin. He followed up on his misinterpreted comments and that’s where the story really begins. Over in Bethesda land, the bad news for them is good news for us! Starfield leaks! Sprinkle on top a scathing discussion of french fries being dipped in a frosty and you have yourself the 19th week of Defining Duke.

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Epic Games’ Legal Battle Is Exposing The Games Industry May 09, 2021

Epic and Apple are currently engaged in battle in the courtroom thanks to Fortnite’s mobile version which tried to circumvent the 30% cut Apple typically takes. Through that, we have seen all that occurs behind closed doors and it has been fascinating. For starters, a Phil Spencer e-mail that shines a spotlight on a recurring topic yet again: xCloud on Nintendo Switch. Plus, PlayStation’s true stance on crossplay has been unveiled and we even have financial dealings between publishers and Epic Games to investigate! That’s not it as Discord who was previously linked to Microsoft before turning away from them has now joined up with PlayStation via bringing the Discord app to their console early next year. How will this impact the future of crossplay and cross progression? Oh, and why Burger King shouldn’t exist! Great stuff to get into this week.

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Is Bethesda's Starfield Being Revealed At E3 2021? May 02, 2021

It is a rare quiet week for Xbox as we quickly approach E3. As plans begin to be set in stone, we look at the potential titles to expect at gaming's biggest show and, subsequently a release in the fall. That's where Bethesda Game Studios' first new IP in two decades arrives and sets the conversation for our show. With more rumbles of a 2021 reveal and release, should we truly expect that with how game development has gone? Xbox Game Pass quietly adds a nifty title to its library, updates on Obsidian Entertainments, talks of dinosaurs, and more decorate a slower week for our industry.

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What The Hell Is Happening Between Xbox & Nintendo? Apr 25, 2021

Xbox’s executives have earned a reputation for teasing upcoming announcements in the background of their set-ups. This week, the games continued with a Nintendo Switch appearing in the studio during Microsoft’s Game Stack event. The boys sit down to investigate! In other updates throughout the Xbox world, Discord backs out on a Microsoft purchase, new Xbox Game Pass additions and subtractions, as well as the introduction of Game Pass Cloud streaming for iOS devices!

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Is PlayStation Pushing People To Xbox? Apr 18, 2021

So, we're an Xbox and PC show. You've read the title, you know this. However, a large chunk of the audience write-ins were reflections on the Don Mattrick era and PlayStation's major shifts that have dragged Xbox into a favorable position. I thought for this episode it would be fun with a slower news week to turn our attention toward Bloomberg's reporting of PlayStation honing in on blockbuster titles only. As we continue to say, it's more clear than ever that Xbox and PlayStation are marching to entirely different beats and that means we are certainly in for one of the most interesting console generations. On the news side of things, more information has popped up suggesting Persona 5 Royal is heading to Xbox and some titles such as Everwild, Fable, and Perfect Dark might be caught in the development pipeline for some time! Oh, and debates on if sushi is a fish hot dog..

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Xbox & Bethesda's Big E3 Show Has Major Potential Apr 11, 2021

E3 was one of the victims of the pandemic, but with a new digital strategy in place it will be making a return in June of 2021. Xbox will be attendance and Bethesda will following them up leaving a lot of opportunity available to make a major impact. Will Xbox ditch their CGI trailer ways of the last year and give us strong looks at the likes of Fable, Avowed, Starfield, and Forza? Is Bethesda Game Studios going to fully dedicate Starfield to next-gen hardware? After analyzing some Todd Howard comments, the timing of the acquisition, and xCloud's surge, it's possible, but the boys discuss. In this same massive week, Xbox nabbed one of the former PlayStation exclusive titles as a Game Pass Day One addition. Where does this service start and end? How far will Xbox continue to go? That alongside more of YOUR questions round out a strong week for the industry.

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Is It Time To Get Rid Of Games With Gold? Apr 04, 2021

The monthly embarrassment has arrived! While Game Pass kills it to the point of saying it yet again feeling redundant, Games With Gold continues to meander. Bringing another package of lackluster titles leaves us with one big question... is it time to sunset this one beloved program? In the backwards compatibility world, Xbox continues to push the limits. Elder Scrolls or Fallout: New Vegas on the phone? Sign us up! The timing is great for them as it syncs up with PlayStation shutting down the PSP, PS vita, and PS3 digital storefronts. How will Xbox continue this initiative moving forward? Plenty to go through in our longest episode yet!

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Xbox Stays Aggressive With New Showcase & Acquisitions Rumors Mar 28, 2021

With the attention on Xbox, the time is now for them to strike and strike again. Rolling on weeks after one of their biggest moves they are now setting up a Indy showcase the debut brand new exclusives to the console. More shockingly, word has started to get around about a big Microsoft focused acquisition that could directly benefit Xbox in the name of the very popular video game chat service known as Discord. The major question has been will these games round out Xbox is big 2021 and 2022 as well as discord meeting the same fate as Skype? Is Skype in as sticky of a situation as it has been reported or do numbers say otherwise? As Xbox continues to make big moves for its future, Matty and Karak continue to dig.

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Xbox Game Pass Is Making HUGE Moves ft. Mike Williams of PCMag Mar 21, 2021

Hot on the heels of rolling Bethesda into the fold, Xbox is sustaining momentum in the following week. Xbox Game Pass continues to solidify itself as the best value deal in gaming and things have somehow managed to get even better. On day one of its release you will be able to download Outriders through Game Pass on consoles! Major third party deals will continue to lift the service to new heights and Xbox understands that as they are bringing Octopath Traveler to Xbox as well. This is momentous as it marks the first time in ages Xbox has scored a JRPG ahead of PlayStation. With things unraveling as they are, Matty and Karak tapped reviewer Mike Williams of PCMag on the shoulder for additional input. Combine that with Game Pass on PC finally getting EA Play, a major event rumor, plus new Halo Infinite details and we are looking at a super episode here.

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Xbox Officially Owns Bethesda & Confirms Exclusivity Mar 14, 2021

No more guessing. This week, Phil Spencer, Pete Hines, Todd Howard, and many others gathered to break down everything on the future of this acquisition. Game Pass additions, exclusivity, a summer event. It is all laid out for us to feast on. Now that we know what is happening, where do we go from here? Matty and Karak sift through week's of build-up and release it all in this very episode!

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Elden Ring Had A Major Gameplay Leak Mar 07, 2021

Walkthrough and Soulsbornekiro expert FightinCowboy joins the show! After nearly two years of silence, fans of Elden Ring finally have some answers. Unfortunately for Namco Bandai, none of this was planned. The new IP by From Software has suffered a major leak boasting an internal gameplay trailer and, worse yet, the potential showcase for this re-reveal has been outed as well. What do we make of this? Will it be a situation similar to Hogwart's Legacy where the leak comes and then the game disappears for years? In other news, Dying Light 2 continues to stumble. Previously linked to Xbox in some kind of exclusivity deal, Techland is struggling internally on which direction this game should head in. From an inconsistent development pipeline, to disgruntled employees leaving the team, and a peculiar obsession with what others are doing has led to a reporting by The Gamer exposing this and much more. On a less heavy note, more rumors swirl on Xbox's March event, Halo Infinite received a batch of new screenshots, and we sift through all of your fantastic Patron questions

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Xbox Is Planning A Bethesda Event For March Feb 28, 2021

Week by week, we inch closer to the conclusion of the Bethesda-Xbox merging and, more importantly, answers to pressing questions. What of exclusivity? When is Bethesda Game Studios' Starfield arriving? It looks like in the middle of March we will be learning what this means for the future of both companies becoming one. On the other side of the spectrum, PlayStation has moved another one of their exclusives to PC and this is a good sign for those of the 'master race.' Both sides are embracing the middle man and this means more games for everyone. Otherwise in a rumor filled week, Matty and Karak dig into the possibility of Death Stranding making its way to Xbox as well as what Avalanche Studios is up to based off some peculiar job listings. It's a busy, but good time this week!

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Xbox's Backwards Compatibility Gets A Boost Feb 21, 2021

Xbox has been leading the charge on backwards compatibility for years. This has mostly come in the form of being able to access your games from previous generations, but this week, they made good on a promise of making those games better. By introducing an FPS boost, Xbox hopes to make those backwards compatible titles even better for you as Karak went hands on with the program and breaks down his experience. Last week brought about the conversation of Halo MCC possibly moving to a new platform, but it is much more simple than that. A custom games browser has been added and even a brand new map to Halo 3 from the canceled Halo Online! Digging deeper, Game Pass received a new haul of exciting games, some not even three months old, and the xCloud program looks to be expanding even more if reports from The Verge are to be believed. That along with Final Fantasy 14 not being on Xbox, a new wireless headset by Xbox, and much more decorate this week's Defining Duke!

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The Irony Of WB Games Nemesis System Patent Feb 14, 2021

Games are often understood as a form of art, but it appears that many suits are still playing catch-up in that regard! After five years, WB Games has successfully managed to lock down the defining mechanic for their Middle Earth series of games. This isn’t the first we’ve seen of game mechanics being patented, but is a move that only serves to stagnate the industry further as options to innovate become limited. Furthermore, Xbox has teased a new place and way to play for the Halo Master Chief Collection. Could this be the long awaited Switch port or is it something far more simple? We dissect! While next gen consoles are hard to come by, they do sell out upon availability and this month saw the win go to Xbox as they lead the month of January 2021 in console sales. Is this a product of supply constraints loosening or Xbox strategically seizing a region of the world? Also, more on Stubbs The Zombie, E3’s anticipated return, upcoming Microsoft events, and more!

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The Clock On Xbox's Bethesda Deal Is Ticking Feb 07, 2021

The terms "Xbox" and "Future" tend to be synonymous. While there are great games, the true investment lies in the plethora of exclusive deals and acquisition made by the company. With that in mind, gamers are hungry to learn more on what Xbox plans to do with all the Bethesda studios now under their umbrella and it appears the answer may be arriving next month. Interestingly, Xbox has managed to nab an exclusive from PlayStation as MLB The Show has moved to the multi-plat business meaning you can officially purchase an Xbox game with PlayStation studios on the front. Does this impact the future of other exclusives? We discuss! In other news, Xbox manages to extend their lead in game streaming as Stadia shuts down all first party development and Mass Effect is making a return much bigger than expected. That plus much more rounds out our fifth episode of Defining Duke.

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Xbox Live Isn't So Gold Jan 31, 2021

It was an incredibly busy week for Xbox! The Xbox Live Gold fiasco, their first major Xbox Series X/S exclusive released, and Microsoft shared the company's recent earnings painting a clear picture of where Xbox stands as a division within the company. Even more crazy is that amongst all of this, there are rumors spreading of how one of the original Xbox's RPG exclusives may be making a return. That very RPG is Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic and it is seemingly in development at a studio not owned or dealing with EA in any capacity. What does this mean for the future of this Xbox classic and what scoops do Matty and Karak have from their sources? Topping off this wild week are confirmed monthly updates to Halo Infinite, share/capture changes inbound, and what could've been with a Jade Empire sequel!

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Halo Infinite's Massive Potential ft. ChrisRayGun Jan 24, 2021

Description: Today, Defining Duke invites in their very first guest to show, Chris Ray Gun! Chris sits down with Matty and Karak to mull over the 29 confirmed exclusive games dropping in 2021, but it always came back to Halo. Whether it is a flagship IP or not is up for debate, but the reality is that Halo Infinite is currently Xbox's biggest announced game coming soon and that means a lot is riding on it. From the free-to-play multiplayer, to valuable lessons learned by 343, to the campaign, Halo Infinite has all to gain or lose. The boys also sink their teeth into new major additions to Game Pass and Microsoft shopping for big studios to acquire. For a company that just acquired Bethesda, it looks like they're not done yet, but who's next? That along with the future of Ninja Gaiden, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and more squeeze into this week's show! Let's discuss.

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Xbox's Answer to Uncharted Is Indiana Jones Jan 17, 2021

After a busy holiday season, there is an expected lull for gaming in January, but 2021 seems to be playing by its own ruleset. Xbox's acquiring of Bethesda may already be paying dividends with the announcement of Machine Games' brand new Indiana Jones game. For years Xbox has sought an answer to Uncharted even going to the length of purchasing timed exclusivity for a Tomb Raider game in 2015. After all this time, it appears the very answer may be the series that inspired Uncharted itself. Furthermore, EA and Disney's Star Wars exclusivity is dissolving before our very eyes, a deal that has brought quite a few problems to Disney's doorstep. All of this is happening underneath the rebranded umbrella of LucasFilm Games who looks to repeat the past success of Star Wars games echoing back to the early 2000s. The PC front also received its own significant reveal as Nvidia is bringing the RTX 3000 series to gaming laptops in the coming month. More importantly, what do Matty and Karak think of 5 Guys or certain activities occurring while our show is on in the background? It's a conversation as wild as Microsoft talking to Nintendo about buying them out. Wait, that actually happened! That along with updates on Halo Infinte, Xbox's digital storefront, Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order next gen info, and more headline our second episode.

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Game Pass' Next Step Jan 10, 2021

Game Pass, the popular and successful Xbox subscription service, has a knack for rolling in more without asking for additional money from its users. That trend seems to be continuing after EA Play was packaged in and now Xbox has their eyes set on the next logical step — adding in uPlay. Ubisoft owns a suite of tantalizing franchises and this move could only serve to boost the service to new heights. Also, more on potential Xbox exclusives Elder Scrolls VI and Arkane Studios’ next game plus additional (much needed!) details on The Medium! Hardware issues have plagued the launch of any new tech product due to global circumstances, but Microsoft is swearing more systems are on the way according to Phil Spencer. The question that looms is not if, but rather when? That alongside the future of Xbox controllers, Cloud Gaming, and achievements headline our first episode. Let’s do this thing.

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A New Era of Xbox Podcast Jan 04, 2021

Here at Last Stand, we don't like to encroach on territory unless we think we can provide particular value for our audience. Back in 2018, we launched Sacred Symbols and KnockBack because we felt like there was a demand for high-quality PlayStation and nostalgia podcasts (respectively), but since then, we've halted our expansion. Yet, with a mighty promising 2021 (and beyond) shaping up for Microsoft's Xbox Series X|S -- and with our audience openly and regularly clamoring for expert Xbox coverage -- we felt like another opening has emerged. We thus humbly present Defining Duke, an all-new weekly podcast all about Xbox, by Xbox fans, for Xbox fans. Our co-hosts? None other than popular gaming YouTubers Matthew "MrMattyPlays" Schroeder and Jeremy "ACG" Penter. Defining Duke will go live each and every Thursday on Patreon (Sundays on free feeds) beginning January 7th, but in the meantime, we thought we'd introduce our show with an appropriate episode, one all about our most-anticipated Xbox Series X|S games of 2021. We hope you enjoy. Thank you for your support!

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