Defining Duke, Episode 121 | The Xbox-Activision Deal Is Blocked - What's Next?
Added 2023-04-27 16:00:08 +0000 UTCAs 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!
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Introv
0:04:29 - Reviews
0:08:57 - Correction
0:10:02 - Grounded Update 1.2 is here
0:12:34 - Age of Empires is coming to Age of Empires 2
0:16:05 - Dead Island has surpassed 1 million copies sold
0:19:15 - Armored Core 6 may be launching on August 25th
0:21:37 - Redfall is available for pre-download
0:26:11 - Deathloop was selected over Dishonored 3
0:32:13 - Starfield merch is here
0:35:20 - Microsoft is working on a sequel that will take a decade to develop
0:37:29 - Quantum Break is back
0:39:53 - Alan Wake 2 is nearing completion
0:42:59 - Tango Gameworks has a multiplayer game in development
0:48:03 - Bomb Rush Cyberfunk will release on August 18th… but not on Xbox
0:50:26 - THQ Nordic’s Digital Showcase returns on August 11th
0:53:03 - Compulsion Games may have a second game in the works
1:00:51 - The ASUS ROG ALLY launches May 11th
1:14:37 - Powerwash Simulator is getting a physical release
1:16:30 - Fable is in the testing stages
1:17:29 - Another Diablo 4 beta is on the way
1:18:20 - Bungie’s new PvP game could be built in Unreal
1:23:22 - Gears voice actors don’t know anything about future games
1:31:07 - What have we been playing?
2:01:16 - Gutcheck on Redfall?
2:08:37 - Why do we talk about things that don’t relate to Xbox on an Xbox show?
2:13:26 - The CMA has moved to block the Xbox-Activision
2:59:32 - Xbox says Hi-Fi Rush was a success
3:11:20 - Game Pass Pick of the Week
3:15:36 - Are we okay with AI doing voice work for games?
Comments
#BlockDD
Josef Barker
2023-05-03 14:41:00 +0000 UTCDo you buy first party games?
Taylor kazemba
2023-05-01 02:47:49 +0000 UTCCan legitimately refute this. I bought Jedi Survivor, even knowing it will come to Game Pass in 9-12 months. Of course, if a game comes out on Game Pass, it would be financially irresponsible to buy said game.
Quinnton from Seattle
2023-05-01 02:46:57 +0000 UTCYou want them to spend more $ on gamepass when it looses them $? Revenue is not profit. How much are they loosing by not selling any games?
Taylor kazemba
2023-04-30 06:57:27 +0000 UTCReview scores for any Xbox game doesn’t matter. No one buys games on the Xbox. If it’s a good game people will play it for free.
Taylor kazemba
2023-04-30 05:13:11 +0000 UTCHere’s what I want, as a primarily PlayStation user that thoroughly enjoyed my Xbox 360(‘s). I don’t want this deal to go through. Not because of my allegiance to Sony, because I’m an American and Microsoft is a great American company. I think this deal will keep Microsoft in the market for another decade plus, but eventually run all the great studios they purchase in to the ground. They don’t need more devs, they need a change of tactics. Instead of just trying to compete in the space they need to focus on creativity. When Sony releases a console with expensive, exotic components, Microsoft needs to release a more exotic and powerful console at a cheaper price. Instead they release more simple, bare bones hardware. Instead of attracting great talent to build the next Gears, Halo, or Perfect Dark game, let that talent build what they are passionate about. I love Xbox, now they just need to make me want to buy one. Holding Activision/Blizzard games hostage doesn’t do that.
Greg Hommel
2023-04-29 16:53:04 +0000 UTCGreat episode guys!!
Thaddeus Reyes
2023-04-29 11:45:27 +0000 UTClol
The Iron Lords Podcast
2023-04-29 08:25:12 +0000 UTCSolid ep boys. #BlockDD
NeO JD
2023-04-28 20:56:20 +0000 UTCThe idea that there could be an 18 year gap between Fallout 4 and 5 is ridiculous. If BGS wants to focus on other projects that's fine but I think they should hand Fallout to someone else. They didn't create the IP and many would say they didn't make the best game either, its not their baby like Elder Scrolls.
Colton George
2023-04-27 21:19:34 +0000 UTCI wouldn’t read into the Gears 6 stuff, they just started development. If they really go in that direction, I’d be incredibly disappointed as the other character’s arc was complete and the other’s wasn’t
Stephen Forgione
2023-04-27 21:02:16 +0000 UTCLove the show as always! Matty I don't know if others agree here but I really don't mind you talking about your game making process. I am here because I am a fan of the whole process of video games from code to shelf so it's always fascinating hearing about your personal experience so please feel free to keep sharing your knowledge on that subject! Also I must say as someone in support of the Xbox deal I am getting rather tired of this whole thing. With the other news that's been hitting it makes me wonder if this money wouldn't have just been better spent investing into their studios or tech. Maybe they could have helped Bethesda games come out quicker with high quality and\or 60fps. Who knows? Anyways thanks for covering all the news this week! Was a treat getting nearly 4 hours! Have a good one and #blockedDD
PsychCoffee
2023-04-27 20:44:58 +0000 UTCSame here I think its my most played game on xbox
bigafroman14
2023-04-27 20:16:32 +0000 UTCAge of Empires is legit. The remaster of 2 was so good to me that I bought all of the DLC and you know I’m going to buy this new DLC too! Game of the Year if remasters count. I play on Series X btw.
Ib Saint
2023-04-27 19:34:56 +0000 UTCJim Ryan is gonna rub one out while listening to this podcast.
Michael
2023-04-27 16:07:34 +0000 UTC
