Defining Duke, Episode 58: The Activision Exclusives Situation Gets Perplexing
Added 2022-02-10 17:01:03 +0000 UTCThe Dukes have spoken on multiple accounts about Xbox progress as a brand, but their communication leaves much to be desired. There has been no better public example than the back-and-forth statements on how Xbox plans to handle the games from their newly acquired publisher, Activision. From uncertainty, to delays of when the team will speak on such subjects, an "intent" to honor agreements, and now the latest statement which says that Call Of Duty will remain multiplatform. It leaves the Dukes asking what this means for future deals if Bethesda's acquisition was specifically for exclusives. Are some for Game Pass? Are others to keep Tencent and others away? It's tough to constantly read between the lines. In more digestible news, Scalebound is a potential return target, Halo Infinite is "dying," Nintendo is on another planet, and a man who listens to our show eats a whole onion for lunch.
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:03:00 - Some smaller news items and follow-ups.
0:16:36 - What we’ve been playing.
0:27:42 - How are we feeling about Atomic Heart?
0:30:18 - Is Xbox bolstering their engagement with Eastern European devs?
0:33:53 - Where is the marketing for CrossfireX?
0:42:26 - Have we seen the Shenmue anime?
0:49:09 - Has Microsoft learned their quality control lesson for Game Pass?
0:52:49 - Will Microsoft push Game Pass on Steam Deck?
0:58:35 - Call of Duty will not be exclusive to Xbox.
1:16:28 - PlatinumGames helped tank the Xbox One generation.
1:32:07 - Halo Infinite’s numbers are slipping..
1:43:00 - Nintendo will not join the acquisition race.
1:51:08 - Grand Theft Auto 6 is confirmed to be in development.
1:53:12 - Game Pass pick of the week.
1:58:15 - How would Xbox respond if the Activision deal was stopped by regulators?
2:02:33 - What are our ideal comic book/developer mashups?
2:10:10 - Why does Crystal Dynamics seem to be bleeding talent?
2:14:56 - What are our most disappointing series?
2:25:38 - Why is Matty a Falcons fan?
Comments
As a sony fanboy (formally a toxic one) I've never own an Xbox until recently a friend gave me her 360. With that said, great podcast!
Peter Pham
2022-02-16 17:55:20 +0000 UTCMuch appreciated! - Cog
Lord Cognito
2022-02-13 10:24:20 +0000 UTCMan that was a long post that just disappeared. Egh. I pulled over to type that lol. Oh well.
Mark Michaels
2022-02-12 05:35:08 +0000 UTCMe and my 6 friends who played Halo religiously up until reach. We’ve continued playing games like Apex for 3 years. Hopped on Infinite annnnnnd it’s been 2 months since we’ve played a single game of Infinite. Such a shame man. MCC is just superior and another damn disappointment man
A Hind D
2022-02-11 18:15:41 +0000 UTCCroxxfireX had a lot of cache due to its roots as an extremely popular multiplayer shooter in China and South Korea and with a single player campaign designed by Remedy Entertainment this had the potential to be a banger. I see why Xbox bet on it. But they place those bets a lot of times well before the games are ready for release. This was announced as an exclusive in November 2019! Xbox lost this bet but Game Pass subscribers did not. I am thankful it was released on Game Pass because that meant I didn't spend money on the game to find out it was a big wiff. Yes we want bangers on Game Pass; but let's not miss the value proposition of saving money on bad games.
Raymond Stuart
2022-02-11 14:01:33 +0000 UTCListen to Phil’s quote again, what exactly is he promising? He didn’t say all games, just “the” games. They could just mean the third War zone game, and they still wouldn’t technically be lying, They have enough IP to be selective, just like what Sony brings to PC. Until I hear quantities and tangible things, I’m assuming it’s bs to get through regulatory approval. Uchiha Simps of the World, Unite!✊
Tick Dickler
2022-02-11 13:51:01 +0000 UTCCrossfire x is just more proof that gamepass will dilute the qaulity of games over time.
Big titty drinker
2022-02-11 08:48:30 +0000 UTCWonderful episode fellas. I just came to comment on sports. because I'm a Cubs fan, so I know hurt. I love chicago sports, but I don't like the Bulls because of MJ (weird, huh), but even weirder is I'm a Sacramento kings fan. I hate the Lakers! from the 2000's era. Thanks always for the great content.
Jesse spivey
2022-02-11 00:15:08 +0000 UTCGreat episode guys! I just have a couple points/thoughts on Halo. Cheating is just as big of an issue on console with forced cross play and I’ve run into a few aimbotters myself. I think latency/de sync (being shot around corners, or melees not registering) are an even bigger issue though, and to their credit they spoke on these issues today. I’ve finished the Battle Pass myself a while back and find myself wanting more to do, and the weekly rewards have been lackluster so I think progression is a serious problem. All that being said I don’t think the decline in players on steam is too alarming with most players on Xbox and many on PC playing via windows store. Im optimistic and eager to see what they do with the game going forward.
Cole Minder
2022-02-10 23:56:13 +0000 UTCAnd everytime I hear the Comic-Dev matchup talk... can't help but think of Tango + Dr. Strange w/ some horror element to it... Especially after seeing some of the Ghostwire animations
NotSkyWalker
2022-02-10 19:58:12 +0000 UTCGreat episode! Just wanted to add that for a lot of GTA fans, that GTA6 announcement feels like damage control. Rockstar hasn’t really been in in good terms with their fans for a while now. If you guys need some good GTA cover feel free to hit me up, I can explain everything going on there.
Jeff Caseres
2022-02-10 19:33:44 +0000 UTCAhh good point about Techland and CD Projekt - maybe those didn't manifest with their latest being on Gamepass, but Xbox did go out of their way to get marketing deals with them. Hope they keep on putting a spotlight on Eastern Euro devs, small and large! Cheers.
NotSkyWalker
2022-02-10 17:40:34 +0000 UTC
