Unlocked

In one of our longest Podcast Unlocked episodes ever, we recap, discuss, and analyze every piece of Microsoft's huge FTC case documents leak that revealed the Xbox Series X slim refresh (and its lack of any disc drive), plans for future Bethesda/Zenimax games (many of which are still unannounced), their top-level plans for their next-generation console due out in Holiday 2028, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a quick update on how our Starfield adventures are going, we discuss Phil Spencer and the Xbox leadership team’s big decision to bend the Series X/S parity rules to get Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox, Destin’s big interview with Phil Spencer — including whether or not Microsoft will produce a mid-gen refresh for the Series X — the sad closure of Volition, and more!00:00:00 - Intro & Forza Motorsport Impressions00:14:32 - Will Embracer Sell Gearbox?00:33:41 - Donald Mustard Retires from Epic Games00:44:17 - The Xbox Mastercard is Real00:58:35 - Is Ubisoft Finally Releasing XDefiant?01:14:06 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a quick update on how our Starfield adventures are going, we discuss Phil Spencer and the Xbox leadership team’s big decision to bend the Series X/S parity rules to get Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox, Destin’s big interview with Phil Spencer — including whether or not Microsoft will produce a mid-gen refresh for the Series X — the sad closure of Volition, and more!00:00:00 - Intro & Replaced Delayed to 202400:12:05 - Xbox Drops Parity Requirement & Baldur's Gate 3 Coming!00:22:10 - Blizzard/Activision & Game Pass?00:39:10 - Mid-Generation Refresh for Xbox?01:11:28 - Embracer Group Shuts Volition Down & Outro  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the episode you've been waiting for: Starfield. We brought in our Starfield reviewer, Dan Stapleton, to have a spoiler-free discussion about what we think of the most anticipated Xbox game of the year. We talk about what we like, what we don't, and how it ranks alongside Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. 00:00:00 - Intro & Starfield Review Discussion01:02:00 - IGN Icons01:05:51 - Even More Starfield & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gamescom is underway, and this week's episode is dedicated to a recap and analysis of everything from the Opening Night Live showcase -- from the beauty of Alan Wake 2, Black Myth: Wukong, and Lords of the Fallen to our disgust at the knucklehead stage-crashers who are going to ruin access these events for fans. Plus: We can tell you that we're playing Starfield, and though we can't share any opinions on it yet, we let you know when you can read IGN's review.00:00:00 - Intro & the Biggest gamescom Announcements00:40:55 - Modern Warfare 3: Will It Be Good?00:46:22 - Alan Wake 2 Reactions & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're diving into the mystery surrounding STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl's potential release date. Is the December 1 date listed on Plaion's website for real? We've got the juicy details on what this highly anticipated game might bring, from survival mechanics to a dynamic day-night cycle.Xbox is taking a stand against bad behavior with a fresh strike-based program. Learn all about the new enforcement system and how it aims to create a better gaming environment. But is eight strikes before a one-year ban too much? We're breaking down the pros and cons.And hold onto your controllers, because Xbox Game Pass is about to drop a bombshell lineup! From Everspace 2 to Gris, and the eagerly awaited Starfield, we've got the scoop on the upcoming releases that'll keep you glued to your screens. 00:00:00 - Intro & Baldur's Gate 3 is Just SO GOOD00:18:08 - Is STALKER 2's Release Date ACTUALLY Happening?00:35:02 - Xbox Has New Strike-Based Program to Combat Toxicity01:03:32 - Awesome Xbox Game Pass Games BEFORE Starfield01:11:14 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to dive into some exciting EVO news on this episode. We've got a crazy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover heading to Street Fighter 6, and there's a new character teaser for Street Fighter 6 that's brewing some serious curiosity. But that's not all, Mortal Kombat 1 is back with a bang, introducing Reptile, Ashrah, and Havik as fresh fighters. Red Dead Redemption has also been announced as a port for the PS4 and Switch, and a lot of fans aren't happy! And of course, you know we have to touch on some thoughts on Starfield, Baldur's Gate 3, and Forza Motorsport news. It's a packed episode with host Kahlief Adams, joined by Stella Chung and Destin Legarie, so don't miss this one!00:00:00 - Intro & EVO 2023 News Galore!00:15:28 - Alien is Coming to Dead by Daylight00:19:03 - Xbox is Going Big for gamescom00:29:07 - Could Starfield Learn Anything From Baldur's Gate 3?00:43:29 - Red Dead Redemption PS4/Switch Port is Coming00:49:33 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00:00 - Intro & Baldur’s Gate 300:06:25 - Remnant 2 Sells More Than One Million Units00:23:25 - Our IGN Icons Picks! & FFXVI Coming to Xbox00:35:09 - Elite Series 2 Replacement Parts Announced00:40:02 - Games Joining and Leaving Xbox Game Pass & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00:19 Intro00:02:41 New Black Panther open-world game announced00:18:47 Ubisoft cancels Immortals Fenyx Rising 200:26:16 Rainbow Six talk00:32:29 Forgotten Ubisoft IP00:40:17 Another Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III leak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard has cleared its biggest hurdle (the FTC), the deal isn't quite done yet. And all parties involved have given themselves more time to finalize the deal. We discuss that, plus Sony finally signing its 10-year Call of Duty deal with Microsoft, the death of Xbox Live Gold and its somewhat confusing replacement in the form of Xbox Game Pass Core, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices