Defining Duke: An Xbox Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#253 | Obsidian: The Pillar of Xbox’s Future? Nov 09, 2025

Show notes

It's been quite the year for Obsidian Entertainment. Following three major releases in one year with Avowed, Grounded 2 (Early Access), and The Outer Worlds 2. Obsidian finds itself discussing their future and relevance in a world where "Microsoft Gaming" exists. Cog and Hoeg discuss the significance of revisiting the Pillars of Eternity universe with their latest turn based announcement. What does the future also hold for this studio? In addition to all the latest news in the world of Xbox!

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:02:50 - Health Is Wealth
0:05:01 - Does Cog Really Hate Exclusives?
0:17:14 - Xbox Hybrid Future?
0:33:59 - Cancelling Game Pass Ultimate?
0:40:32 - Destiny 2 New Renegades expansion
0:49:39 - Nintendo’s Patent in Palworld Dispute is Being Re-examined
1:03:54 - Devs believe Steam has a monopoly on PC games?
1:14:03 - Consumers spend more on remakes than remasters
1:22:42 - Battlefield 6 Has Reportedly Sold Over 10 Million Copies
1:31:21 - Arc Raiders early success & roadmap
1:40:33 - Black Ops 7 ROG Xbox Ally X Support
1:44:22 - Expedition 33 & Final Fantasy VII Remake event
1:52:52 - What We Are Playing
2:11:36 - Obsidian announces Pillars of Eternity Turn-Based Mode & talks future
2:42:41 - Xbox Q1 hardware sales down
2:54:20 - Xbox - Ex-Boxer commercial

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#252 | We PLAYED The Halo Remake... Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

Following months of swirling rumors, Halo Combat Evolved has its remake. It's called Halo Campaign Evolved and you can play it next year on Xbox, PC, and yes, even PlayStation! It has everything from sprinting to aiming down sights, but more surprising is the new content found within. Cutscenes have been entirely reshot, new prequel missions are being added to the game, new weapons are getting thrown in there, and even the warthog saw an expansion to it. Cog and Gene had the opportunity to go hands-on with a demo of this remake and the takeaways are what you'd expect from a Halo Studios led project. Indeed, it's the familiar cocktail of optimism for what's in front of you and lingering skepticism from the thing you just got.

Go to https://www.quince.com/duke for free shipping and 365-day returns

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:02:53 - Sarah Bond says exclusive games are antiquated
0:16:09 - Matt Booty says Xbox’s competition is TikTok and movies
0:29:43 - Phil Spencer says Forza Motorsport isn’t dead
0:38:25 - Phil Spencer on Xbox’s AI push
0:45:09 - Xbox has a Partner Preview coming in November
0:52:55 - Fallout Day 2025 was terrible
1:18:40 - ID@Xbox showcase reveals 12 indie Game Pass titles
1:20:43 - Canceled multiplayer God of War game leaks
1:24:12 - Ghost of Yotei sales analysis
1:31:00 - Loulan: The Cursed Sands revealed
1:33:23 - Masters of Albion will be Peter Molyneux’s final game
1:41:31 - Mouse: P.I. for Hire releases on March 19th, 2026
1:42:45 - Battlefield REDSEC shadow dropped by EA
1:45:07 - FemShep wants to go back to Mass Effect
1:46:40 - Crash Bandicoot is getting a Netflix series
1:47:51 - What We’re Playing (Xbox Ally X)
2:26:55 - Halo Campaign Evolved discussion
3:01:40 - Cog's thoughts on Ninja Gaiden 4
3:09:11 - Outer Worlds 2
3:35:17 - Massive details on the next Xbox
3:59:25 - Xbox’s 30% profit margin to blame for price hikes

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#251 | Our Outer Worlds 2 Review Is HERE... - Did it Deliver?! Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

There's much to be said about how The Outer Worlds 2 was handled prior to its release. Everything from a lacking preview and Avowed's underwhelming launch to Xbox attempting to force a $80 price point put this game on the uphill climb. All of that is out the window now. Cog and Matty have it in hand and have logged their many hours! Is the Black Rock ready to deliver on the RPG pedigree that they're known for or are they best off focusing on their new strength in games like Grounded or Pentiment?

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:02:57 - Final future of the Dukes update
0:08:31 - Xbox Ally impressions
0:28:08 - The pace of Xbox releases
0:35:29 - The most positive Xbox experience this generation
0:43:07 - What We’re Playing
1:02:44 - Outer Worlds 2
2:13:25 - Improvements coming to the Xbox Ally
2:15:49 - ID@Xbox showcase coming October 28th
2:17:16 - Starfield’s PS5 announcement will come in 2026
2:18:31 - Warner Bros Discovery is up for sale again
2:27:26 - Assassin’s Creed franchise lead was forced out
2:35:11 - Glen Schofield is trying to get Dead Space back
2:54:25 - Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 updates
3:00:34 - The Resident Evil Remake rumors are heating up
3:04:24 - A new Dragon Ball game coming in 2026
3:08:11 - Marvel Cosmic Invasion releases December 1st
3:10:33 - Quantic Dream’s strange new multiplayer game
3:16:16 - What’s next for Arrowhead?
3:18:28 - Silent Hill sales update
3:21:18 - Kirby Air Riders gets ANOTHER direct
3:25:41- Sarah Bond clarifies Xbox next gen details
3:49:04 - Xbox has plans to move its product manufacturing out of China

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#250 | Xbox's Next Gen Console LEAKED... (ft. Deck Ready) Oct 19, 2025

Show notes

Despite the ongoing hardware "crisis," plenty of next generation hardware news continues to leak out of Xbox. This time, we have Project Magnus courtesy of Moore's Law Is Dead! Set to release in 2027, this console will (as expected) feature some Windows elements and go head-to-head with the pre-built PC market. To help break all of this down, Jimmy Champane of Deck Ready is here. Beyond Project Magnus, we get into a newly released piece of Xbox hardware in the Xbox Ally. Is it worth your money and what does it tell us about the future of Xbox's unified Windows approach? A lot, it seems! Beyond that, we tackle a new-ish structure for the show, covering everything from Xbox to PlayStation and Nintendo. Much of our show is shaped by you, so we hope you enjoy the inclusion and look forward to reading your thoughts.

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:20:42 - Where did the former Zenimax Online devs go?
0:30:06 - Call Of Duty is dropping SBMM
0:42:23 - Halo art director delivers ominous message
1:04:51 - Indiana Jones gets anniversary update
1:10:17 - Everwild screenshots have leaked
1:12:44 - Sucker Punch’s future after Ghost Of Yotei
1:27:46 - What is Bluepoint up to?
1:31:34 - More Expedition 33 content on the way
1:36:39 - Japan responds to rise of Sora AI
1:44:05 - Assassin’s Creed director quits over Tencent
2:04:02 - Massive Pokémon leak
2:18:14 - Switch 2 console sales update
2:21:34 - Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game revealed
2:24:59 - The Mindseye Aftermath
2:30:18 - What We’re Playing
3:18:10 - Xbox’s Project Magnus and PlayStation 6 are rumored to release in 2027
3:55:17 - Another week of Xbox hardware drama

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#249 | Is Xbox Pulling Out Of The Console Business? Oct 12, 2025

Show notes

Following such erratic changes to Game Pass and a ton of wild weekend rumors, many are wondering if Xbox will be out of the console business altogether by 2027. Despite marketing for the next generation being expected to begin next year, some insiders are suggesting this is now up in the air for Team Green. Joining us to discuss the current state of Xbox is the man with a million, Rand Al Thor 19. While Xbox addressed the uncertainty surrounding their hardware and have a public agreement with AMD, many continue to doubt this is the path forward. The truth is that Xbox hardware has seen a steep decline in sales for almost two years. Now, major retailers are pulling their stock. Like much of you have written in about this subject, we are left with the same question: Can we even believe Xbox at this point? If you can't then can we continue to build our digital libraries on Xbox with the way Xbox is trending? Is the path truly to become a third party publisher? If so, should Xbox rip off the bandaid and go all in now? It's a jam packed episode and we sift through every layer of it to try and get to the root of it all.

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

03:08 - The future of the Dukes
0:21:28 - Cog’s trip to Japan
0:35:50 - Where is Phil Spencer?
1:00:32 - Outer Worlds 2 caught in the crossfire again
1:15:57 - Can Xbox and PlayStation team up now?
1:20:09 - What even is Xbox Play Anywhere?
1:30:07 - What is going on with Keeper?
1:40:18 - Lina Khan’s victory lap
1:47:58 - Xbox’s response to the Game Pass price hike
1:56:24 - Game Pass DLC discounts are done
2:02:17 - Halo Combat Evolved Remake rumors
2:16:46 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass
2:20:29 - What We’re Playing
2:59:26 - Is Xbox hardware coming to an end?
3:35:43 - The reason Game Pass hiked its prices
3:56:22 - Xbox is reportedly adding a free tier for Cloud Gaming

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#248 | Xbox Is Lost - MASSIVE Game Pass Price Hike... Oct 05, 2025

Show notes

Xbox happened.

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:03:14 - Health Is Wealth
0:10:02 - Are we still Xbox fans?
0:26:22 - What’s happening with Forza Horizon 6?
0:36:23 - Xbox Ally preorders are live
0:48:50 - EA is going private in a $55 Billion deal
1:05:47 - Ken Levine interview recap
1:19:18 - Fallout 76 Burning Springs update
1:20:14 - Prototype is coming back?
1:27:07 - Ubisoft forms Vantage Studios
1:30:23 - AAA Lord Of The Rings game in development
1:38:49 - What We’re Playing
2:25:25 - Xbox Game Pass gets a major price hike
3:14:00 - Do we keep doing Game Pass Pick Of The Week?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#247 | Forza Horizon 6 Is FINALLY Happening... Sep 28, 2025

Show notes

Forza bros, rejoice! After plenty of speculation, rumors, and eventual leaks, Forza Horizon 6 has finally been announced at Tokyo Game Show 2025. Joining me is honorary Duke, Sir Bradley Ellis, to discuss all things Forza and more in the world of gaming! It has been long anticipated that Playground would take the franchise to Japan and now that it's finally happening, we have a lot to go over. Landing in 2026, this will be hitting Xbox and PC first, which already lands a little out of the realm of our expectations. When is the inevitable PlayStation port? We dive into just that. Moreover, Playground may end up being the 2026 darling for Xbox if Fable and Forza hit in the same year. Matty and Brad dig into their expectations for 2026 where no doubt there will be a double feature including these two. Beyond that, we dive into the recent State Of Play, the new OD gameplay, more leaked details on Perfect Dark's episodic format, 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
0:09:03 - Health Is Wealth
0:23:29 - Danganronpa theories
0:29:14 - Hideo Kojima shows off OD
0:41:49 - 2025 is Xbox’s biggest investment in Game Pass
0:49:23 - More leaked details on Perfect Dark
1:01:42 - Black Ops 7 multiplayer reveal on September 30th
1:08:15 - Xbox’s handheld UI is out now
1:14:23 - Borderlands 4 has reached 2.5 million players
1:17:36 - Cyberpunk 2077 sequel to include multiplayer
1:20:39 - Aspyr removes AI replicated voice from Tomb Raider
1:24:29 - What We’re Playing
2:09:34 - New price increases for Xbox
2:23:33 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week
2:25:20 - Xbox TGS 2025 Showcase
2:48:58 - State Of Play

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#246 | Video Games As Far As The Eye Can See... Sep 21, 2025

Show notes

Cronos: The New Dawn, Hell Is Us, Hollow Knight Silksong, Borderlands 4, Silent Hill F, Trails In The Sky Remake, and the list goes on. It's an overload of games right now and the Dukes are doing their best to keep up!

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:05:29 - Health Is Wealth
0:45:32 - Dragon Quest 7 info
0:50:36 - Is RE5 remake different from what we thought?
0:55:30 - Does Bethesda still have it?
1:16:25 - Nintendo Direct reaction
1:35:26 - Randy Pitchford’s Borderlands 4 meltdown
1:50:40 - The Initiative studio head breaks his silence
2:05:07 - The Scalebound Saga continues on
2:14:03 - Zenimax Online Studios wants to make new stuff
2:20:18 - Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s Part 3 is going multi-plat
2:33:04 - The Series S helped Battlefield 6
2:39:22 - GTA 6 is getting delayed… again?
2:45:22 - Nintendo’s dangerous new patent
2:55:58 - Black Flag Remake might be more RPG-heavy
3:00:50 - State Of Play next week
3:10:34 - Far Cry is leaning into multiplayer
3:15:22 - What We’re Playing
3:36:48 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass…
3:39:23 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#245 | Getting REAL About Xbox Game Pass... Sep 14, 2025

Show notes

Much of the conversation surrounding Game Pass and its sustainability has been about whether or not it can turn a profit. The Dukes themselves have pondered on this very subject for dozens of episodes. At this point, Game Pass is here to stay. The conversation has evolved from how much money the service makes to whether or not it dramatically impacts how games are made. At first, PlayStation alumni Shawn Layden brought attention to this subject. While well respected and incredibly knowledgable, many believed that Shawn bled a bit too much blue for their taste and that his points may be biased. That's fair to say, but what happens when many of Xbox's own start to say the same? Much of our conversation is about what Pete Hines, the former SVP of Communication and Marketing at Bethesda, had to say on Xbox's premier service. However, it's really about the fallout from it. Shannon Loftis, a Xbox lifer who spent 20+ years at the company, sang a similar tune to that of Pete and Shawn. Even MachineGames currnet studio head had thoughts on how Game Pass players dip very quickly. Even recently, Larian's own Swen Vincke had his concerns about Game Pass. Raphael Colantonio, formerly of Arkane and now at WolfEye, shared a similar sentiment. While indie and even AA have found a pocket from which they very much benefit from Game Pass, AAA is speaking out. The question remains: Are players willing to listen in the face of such value?

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:17:57 - Health Is Wealth
0:22:02 - Bethesda finally teases Starfield DLC
0:30:16 - Wolfenstein lives on
0:38:37 - Hollow Knight Silksong breaks records
0:51:10 - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth due out on Xbox in 2026
0:53:27 - Physical games live on for another generation?
1:05:37 - Dead Island 3 on the way
1:12:19 - Helldivers 3 basically confirmed
1:16:05 - Resident Evil 5 Remake isn’t happening
1:22:44 - Old KOTOR Remake concept art leaks
1:24:35 - Metal Gear Delta sells 1 million copies in 2 days
1:25:22 - 2K is making a “college basketball experience” while EA bails
1:34:37 - Batman Arkham Shadow is getting a sequel
1:39:35 - IO Interactive finally talks about Mindseye launch
1:44:20 - What We’re Playing
2:23:54 - Pete Hines opens up on Xbox & Bethesda
3:12:04 - Xbox’s Tokyo Game Show plans
3:20:02 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#244 | It was almost SAVED... - The Truth On Perfect Dark Sep 07, 2025

Show notes

Today in news that we wish we never knew about: Xbox's reboot of Perfect Dark was nearly saved! Their dance partner? Take Two Interactive who serves as publisher of Rockstar. Yes, indeed, a recent report states that these two were working out a deal similar to Xbox selling off Tango Gameworks alongside the Hi Fi Rush IP to Krafton in order to help the company. Unfortunately, a falling out between both sides occurred over an IP ownership dispute. Now, Perfect Dark is doomed to sit in "IP Jail" with many of Xbox's other abandoned properties. At least Banjo has some company now.

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:02:40 - Health Is Wealth
0:23:57 - Our preview philosophy
0:35:17 - Is The Outer Worlds 2 hate overblown?
0:50:30 - What games should you play soon?
0:54:23 - Call Of Duty is entering the movie business
1:00:49 - Gears Of War Reloaded numbers are in
1:12:16 - Helldivers 2 is the #1 paid game on the Xbox store
1:23:23 - Grounded 2 seems to be doing very well
1:28:52 - 007 First Light impressions
1:36:14 - PlayStation 6 will be a handheld?
1:48:20 - Epic responds to Unreal Engine 5 concerns
2:02:20 - Ubisoft’s 2026 and 2027 games
2:10:54 - What's going on with Cyberpunk 2077?
2:14:25 - Kojima event may show off OD
2:17:05 - What We’re Playing
3:10:24 - Perfect Dark was nearly revived
3:28:05 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass
3:40:56 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Defining Duke: An Xbox Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected