Defining Duke: An Xbox Podcast

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 - Introduction0:21:25 - All Digital Series X incoming0:23:34 - Age of Mythology Retold coming to Game Pass0:25:10 - High On Life physical from LRG0:28:30 - Tanya Watson joins Xbox Game Studios0:31:45 - Third Kind Games is co developing Fable0:37:12 - Pentiment runs better on PS5 due to a bug0:42:51 - TMNT Arcade is coming to consoles0:46:10 - Data-miners have found Persona 3 Reload DLC0:47:41 - Skull and Bones has record player engagement0:49:04 - Suicide Squad has fallen short0:51:59 - What We’re Playing1:32:10 - Warm Up Questions2:11:18 - PlayStation Layoffs2:36:29 - Game Pass Pick of the Week2:45:05 - Ending Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Get 10% off your entire order at https://www.thefreezepipe.com and use code DUKE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

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?Start the Good Habit at https://www.tryfum.com/XBOX to save 10% off the Journey Pack today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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!Start the Good Habit at https://www.tryfum.com/XBOX to save 10% off the Journey Pack today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app now wide code DEFININGDUKE and get 200 bonus bets instantly after betting $5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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