Inside Xbox Games coming to PS5 & Major Game Pass Changes | Bethesda Fights MS Xbox News Cast 135
Feb 6, 2024
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Join the XNC Podcast with hosts Colteastwood and Middleagegamegy and special guests Red Wolf, Hargeet Chani, and Fonz Gaming. They discuss leaks for Xbox third party, Xbox's inconsistent messaging, the importance of great games, Xbox Game Pass changes, Xbox hardware roadmap, financial aspects of Microsoft, speculation about Xbox games coming to PS5, and redefining Xbox Game Pass subscription tiers.
Xbox employees are dissatisfied with changes in compensation and performance metrics, leading to morale issues and a lack of communication from management.
Internal pushback within Xbox against making games available on other platforms may harm the Xbox brand and revenue potential.
Microsoft aims to evolve into a publishing powerhouse, potentially exiting the hardware market in the future.
Next-gen Xbox consoles may be developed by Microsoft's Surface team, including a dockable handheld console.
Xbox may introduce advertisements in lower tiers of Game Pass and offer first-party day-one games exclusively to the Ultimate tier.
Xbox fans are concerned about the potential changes to exclusivity and Game Pass, with a fear of Xbox losing its commitment to the core audience.
Deep dives
Possible Morale Issues Within Xbox
There are murmurings of morale issues within Xbox, with some employees not being happy with the direction things are going. This dissatisfaction may stem from changes in compensation and performance bonuses due to the shift towards a subscription-based model rather than sales-based metrics. Some employees are reportedly frustrated with the lack of clear communication and direction from management. There are even rumors of internal dissent, prompting some individuals to share information with media outlets to bring attention to their concerns.
Inside Pushback Against Going Multi-Platform
There are reports of internal pushback within Xbox against the decision to make some of their games available on other platforms. Some employees believe that this move could devalue the Xbox brand and compromise the potential for sales and revenue. These individuals have allegedly sought to leak information to influencers and media outlets in an attempt to raise awareness and potentially influence the decision-making process.
Microsoft's Pivotal Business Plan
Microsoft's reported business plan involves evolving into a publishing powerhouse rather than solely focusing on console exclusives. This strategic shift would position Microsoft as a major player in the gaming industry, even if they decide to exit the hardware market in the future. The acquisition of major publishers like Activision Blizzard aligns with this larger vision of becoming a dominant force in the industry, regardless of platform.
Xbox's Next Generation Hardware: Surface Team Taking the Lead
According to a reputable source, the next generation Xbox consoles will be developed by Microsoft's Surface team, potentially including a dockable handheld console.
Game Pass Changes: Possible Advertisements and Tiered Access
There are rumors that Xbox may introduce advertisements in the lower tiers of Game Pass, as well as potentially offering first-party day-one games exclusively to the Ultimate tier.
Speculation on Game Pass Exclusive Cornerstone Games
There is speculation that future Game Pass exclusivity may become the 'new exclusivity', with Game Pass itself being the exclusive offering rather than individual games.
The Future of Xbox and Game Pass
The recent rumors and speculation surrounding Xbox and Game Pass have caused a PR nightmare for the company. Many fans are concerned about the potential changes to exclusivity and the impact on the Xbox brand. There is a fear that Xbox is becoming too big and losing its commitment to the core audience. The possibility of Starfield and other Bethesda games coming to PlayStation has sparked a backlash among fans. The future of Game Pass is also in question, with rumors of potential changes to the service, including the introduction of ads and staggered game releases. Overall, there is a sense of uncertainty and disappointment among Xbox fans, and the company will need to address these concerns in order to regain trust and maintain a strong audience base.
The Implications of Multi-Platform Releases
The potential multi-platform releases of Xbox games, such as Starfield and Elder Scrolls VI, have raised concerns about the future of exclusivity and the Xbox brand. While some fans may not be bothered by these releases, others see it as a betrayal of the Xbox community and a dilution of the brand. There is a fear that Xbox is becoming too focused on maximizing profits and losing sight of its core audience. The impact on Game Pass is also a concern, as exclusive titles are a major draw for the service. Overall, these multi-platform releases have created a divide among fans and raised questions about the direction Xbox is headed.
The PR Challenges Faced by Xbox
The recent rumors and speculation surrounding Xbox have created a PR nightmare for the company. Fans are frustrated by the lack of clarity and conflicting messages, leading to confusion and disappointment. Xbox will need to address these concerns and provide clear, transparent communication to regain trust and maintain a strong relationship with its audience. The future of exclusivity, Game Pass, and the overall direction of the Xbox brand are all key areas that need to be addressed. The challenge now is for Xbox to show its commitment to the core audience and deliver on its promises, in order to mitigate the damage caused by this PR crisis.
Xbox may prioritize multi-platform releases over exclusives
There is speculation that Xbox may shift its focus from exclusives to releasing games on multiple platforms in order to reach a larger audience and boost Game Pass subscriptions. This change in strategy aims to attract more players to Game Pass by offering compelling games that can be played on PC or Xbox consoles. However, some critics argue that Xbox needs to deliver more high-quality games to make Game Pass more enticing and competitive.
The importance of compelling games for Game Pass success
To increase Game Pass subscriptions, Xbox needs to provide more compelling games on the platform. While Game Pass offers good value, it needs a stronger lineup of games to attract a wider audience. The lack of exclusive, must-play titles may hinder the platform's growth. Xbox should focus on delivering high-quality games more consistently, as relying on a single compelling game every few years is not enough to drive long-term success.
Concerns about the future of Xbox and its identity
There are concerns about the direction Xbox is going, specifically the potential move towards becoming a third-party publisher. This raises questions about the future of Xbox as a console brand. Without a strong lineup of compelling exclusives, Xbox's identity may be at risk, and it could struggle to maintain its dedicated fan base. Many fans worry that without a clear vision and a solid lineup of games, Xbox might lose its standing in the console market.
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Join XNC Podcast with Hosts @colteastwood & @Middleagegamegy to discuss Inside Xbox Games coming to PS5 & Major Game Pass Changes | Bethesa Fights MS Xbox News Cast 135 Special guest Red Wolf: https://www.youtube.com/@redwolfreneg... & Hargeet Chani & Fonz Gaming: https://www.youtube.com/@Fonz_Gaming
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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/colteastwood0:00:00 Start the Show
0:04:30 Leaks for Xbox Third Party
0:15:00 Phil Spencer Responds
0:23:00 Why Xbox is changing
0:45:00 ABK & Xbox Plans
0:52:00 Xbox Stages a Coup
1:00:00 Quitting Xbox?
1:12:00 Ads Coming to Game Pass
1:26:00 Xbox Hardware Roadmap for Next Gen
1:30:00 Xbox Handheld is Real?
1:40:00 Will Phil get Fired?
1:56:00 Timed Exclusives Indy & Starfield
2:04:00 Community Questions
2:13:00 Hargeet & Red Wolf Join
2:25:00 Bethesda Timed Exclusives
2:35:00 Game Pass missing First Party?
2:42:00 Fonz Gaming Joins
2:43:00 Xbox Business Vision Direct
2:58:00 Xbox Going Third Party
3:10:00 Xbox Brand Dead?
3:13:00 Xbox NEEDS Popular Games!
3:38:00 Guest Outros
Topics Covered on the Colteastwood Channel:
Microsoft Sony Xbox One Xbox One X Xbox Two Xbox Scarlett Xbox Project Scarlett Xbox 2 Next Generation Consoles Playstation PS4 PS5 Playstation 5 Exclusive Games Console Exclusives xCloud Project xCloud Xbox Game Pass Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Xbox games Playstation Games Xbox Lockhart Xbox Anaconda Danta Xbox Consoles Game Streaming Cloud Streaming Zen 2 Zen 2+ Navi GPU SSD Next Gen Consoles Xbox One S Xbox Live Xbox Live Gold Xbox Rewards Microsoft Rewards E3 E3 2019 E3 2020 X019 Xbox Leaks Rumor News Gears Halo Fable IV Forza Horizon Motorsports Halo Infinite Playstation Now PSNow Phil Spencer Xbox Game Studios Exclusives PS Now PSNow Xbox Series X Xbox Series S Playstation 5 PS5
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