Defining Duke, Episode 111 | Is Xbox Game Pass Killing Games?!
Added 2023-02-16 17:00:07 +0000 UTCMuch as been said about gaming's most popular subscription service. While many have detracted its boons to the game development scene, Game Pass has stormed on to surpassed 25 million subscribers. At the same time, it seems Xbox has been caught talking about both sides of their mouth. In an admission to the CMA, Microsoft has stated that game sales do fall off across 12 months titles in Game Pass. While some see this as a mark of defeat, it only seems to highlight the lack of knowledge many of us have on the funding process. The Dukes dive deep into this one as we check our previous claims about the service, where it stands now, and if the sky is truly falling for Game Pass. Otherwise, we have a possible Evil Within 3 tease, Xbox climbing their personal rankings in Japan, and "Robert" may be here to stay if the Activision deal falls through.
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:29 - Update on Houston event
0:11:44 - Reviews!
0:16:11 - More justification of Oreo crimes
0:20:13 - How did the gas pump revelation come to be?
0:22:46 - Evil Within 3 may have been teased in Hi-Fi Rush
0:26:26 - Bobby Kotick will remain
0:29:44 - Starfield has a release date…according to GOG
0:37:14 - Xbox Series sales update!
0:40:40 - Controversy surrounds Sea of Stars
0:47:40 - Wild Hearts performance on Series S is rough
0:49:30 - Dead Island 2’s release has been moved up!
0:49:55 - Final Fantasy 7 is coming to Xbox… via PowerWash Simulator DLC
0:50:36 - Wo Long is available for preload
0:53:32 - Alan Wake 2 is completely playable
0:53:43 - What we’ve been playing
1:10:34 - Are shadow drops the new thing?
1:15:37 - Have we seen the anti-Atomic Heart video?
1:29:09 - How do we feel about THAT Wired review?
1:41:19 - Microsoft has stated that Game Pass hurts games sales…
2:18:06 - Double Fine may have two games in the works
2:23:00 - Leaving Game Pass soon…
2:26:29 - Game Pass Pick of the Week
2:31:15 - What happened to Map Designers?
Comments
Can’t forget FF7 remake and it’s sequels as well as crisis core and the pixel remasters. All of those did or will do well for square.
Cristian R
2023-02-21 18:46:56 +0000 UTCBig fan of the podcast - you are both doing great. Agree with everyone else here re: Mr Matty taking it easier on his schedule/travel (health is the most important thing!) Do what you need to do for your well-being Mr Matty! :) Just wanted to comment that I liked how you both discussed the Atomic Heart / Mundfish situation on the latest podcast. Ultimately, it's hard for us to say 100% what the developer's personal views are on the war. Couple of things that folks should bear in mind when discussing this topic: You rightly pointed out that in a totalitarian system - the developers won't be in a position to publicly protest the war against Ukraine - or make clear cut statements (criticizing the war is now a criminal offence in Russia, and many people have been thrown off rooftops for opposing Putin's regime). Taking a public stance against the war could literally be a life-or-death situation for the devs (or at a bare minimum a prison sentence). As for Mundfish having financial backing from one of Putin's inner circle - unfortunately this can also be a common feature of totalitarian autocracies. Putin's elite have extended their financial tendrils throughout many private and public sectors of the Russian economy. As is the case in China, in Russia it is very hard to remain entirely financially separate and insulated from the regime/state. Endemic financial entanglement with private companies is one of the ways Putin's elite spread their influence. Because there are not really legal protections in Russia (the way we have legal protection here) companies are not always in a position to say no to these elites. Again, we don't know the full story here, and only the devs know for sure. But we should remember that it's easy for us here in the West to state our principles and views freely without our lives being at risk. Unfortunately, it's a different situation for people in Russia. Personally, I will be reading reviews about Atomic Heart carefully before considering buying the game (hopefully reviewers will dilligently flag if any of the subject matter glorifies the USSR, or Putinist interpretations of history - particularly towards Ukraine). From what I've seen so far, that doesn't seem to be the case, but I'll keep tabs on the situation. Thank you both for all the thoughtful analysis on all things gaming!
Captain Hero
2023-02-21 16:53:25 +0000 UTCTeddy Grahams>Hydrox
Cash
2023-02-19 11:34:31 +0000 UTCI think you guys miss the point on the game pass story. They said the exact opposite before. They said it increases sales, now it's cannibalizing, that's the point of why everyone is talking about it. Third party games, big triple A games, are not selling on Xbox. They aren't, people are waiting to for the games to come later on gamepass. Guarantee you, people saw midnight sun's, and said I'll wait for it to be on gamepass just like guardians of the galaxy. And if midnight suns was on gamepass at launch,that doesn't guarantee it would have been a financial success. You can't say Microsoft would have paid enough for it to be a success.
Angel DeJesus
2023-02-17 18:11:04 +0000 UTCHydrox>Oreos...LOL Great show guys
Chris
2023-02-17 17:00:14 +0000 UTCI really really enjoyed the Evil Within. The only issue for me in that game was chapter 9 Ruvik staircase section. I tried and tried and tried and could not get passed that part of the game. He would just touch me once and I’m dead. Otherwise that game is a 10/10 horror game for me. It was scary and very tense and I love that about the game. I’m a survival horror game mega fan and I beat every game I touch. However that Ruvik chapter 9 portion will forever be a stain in my gaming endeavors.
Michael Mashpotato
2023-02-17 13:48:52 +0000 UTCMatty, no worries and health is wealth. Hope to hear your overrated game take another time or even a brief mention on a future podcast- I am sure it would be scorching lol.
Michael Limauro
2023-02-17 13:14:16 +0000 UTCGreat job guys keep up the fine work.
Tyee
2023-02-17 09:18:02 +0000 UTCRussia invaded Poland??!! All love Matty, praying for your total recovery! ❤️
Gabriel Baker
2023-02-17 05:18:51 +0000 UTCYou just made a dangerous mistake... ;) - Matty
Matty LSM
2023-02-16 23:45:46 +0000 UTCHey Matty, I’ve never really commented on your podcast - I’m a PS gamer - but as a 40 year old guy I’ll just say to you; keep going and never give up. Everything is temporary. Everything is for a reason. Good things will come, it may be hard to believe or feel far away but the entire community and everyone who knows you is right behind you and wishing you the very best. That’s so amazing and beautiful. You’re a fantastic podcaster, unique and instantly recognisable. Keep doing your thing. Stay positive where you can and time will heal.
Matt Wiles
2023-02-16 22:33:37 +0000 UTCI will renew my objection to HogLeg. We can't let Matty pound his chest in pride like this is some good thing he's done for video game discourse. Never forget there is a vocal and active resistance to that term, and we will never back down from our ideals. Would Matty be similarly okay if everyone just started calling the Megaman Battle Network games, "BatNet"? No. I bet Matty would insist those games be shown their proper respect and "BatNet" would be an insult!
Mike Po
2023-02-16 20:37:28 +0000 UTCI wish I could've enjoyed Witch Queen's story as much as Cog did. As someone who only played the expansions from Forsaken to Witch Queen and none of the seasonal storylines.... it was good but not amazing for me.
Wyvborn
2023-02-16 20:31:36 +0000 UTCSorry to hear about your health issues Matty. Love the show, Matty and cog are excellent and I love the show
Ding Dong
2023-02-16 17:43:19 +0000 UTC
