Defining Duke: An Xbox Podcast

As tradition dictates, we recorded a roughly four hour show during a relatively light news week. Turns out that there was much to be said about those select topics. The Dukes revisit the hotly debated DLSS 5 topic with fresh information from a new interview with Nvidia as well as comments from their own CEO. The AI rabbithole admittedly runs deep this week as we also get into the closure of Sora as well as Capcom's plans for generative AI. From one hot button topic to another, we discuss the recent layoffs happening at Epic Games. When an industry's top selling game in Battlefield and most popular live service in Fortnite can't avoid layoffs, who can? The dynamic duo dive into the sustainability of game development and why indie just seems like the place to be now. Top of the Dukes' list is the recent report on Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma. It is said that she is assessing how to make Game Pass more attractive and is considering a price reduction. She is also investigating package deals, such as one with Netflix, as a way to bolster the service. Can this be enough to help the service grow? Is it even worth chasing when the 100 million subscriber dream is dead? As the episode's length suggests, we have plenty to say, so stop reading and get to listening!

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Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:14:53 - What games are we looking forward to?0:24:42 - How can Copilot For Gaming navigate paying creators?0:33:29 - Marathon sales update0:52:49 - DLSS 5 updates1:24:15 - OpenAI shuts down Sora1:32:34 - Capcom on how they plan to use AI1:44:06 - Epic Games layoffs1:59:18 - Forza Horizon 6 PC requirements2:02:19 - Minecraft Dungeons is getting a sequel2:03:58 - Is Final Fantasy for old heads?2:15:51 - Sony shuts down another studio2:19:30 - Nintendo’s interesting digital pricing changes2:22:49 - Dragon’s Dogma 2 DLC inbound?2:36:40 - Sonic Frontiers Definitive Edition leaks2:41:14 - What We’re Playing3:20:51 - Xbox Game Pass price cuts incoming?3:37:52 - Chris Charla interview on Xbox Helix SKUs
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After over a year of silence, Starfield's newest wave of content is here. The Dukes got to see things running behind the scenes and get a feel for Bethesda's new vision for the sci-fi RPG. It appears they're gearing up for more incremental updates rather than swinging in with a massive expansion pack each year. Between the Free Lanes update, Terran Armada, and the PlayStation 5 version, there's much for us to go over. Perhaps more of the hot button topic is what is transpiring within AI. This time, it arrives in the form of DLSS 5 and to say there was backlash would be an understatement. The sizzle reel that showed off this new technology on the likes of Starfield, Hogwarts Legacy, Resident Evil Requiem, and the like was openly mocked, reaching beyond the games industry. In fairness, some are hopeful that this technology could lead to better looking, cheaper games. Can it? Well, pull up a chair, friend. We have much to discuss.

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro0:09:41 - Remembering Camelworks0:25:13 - What will happen to Series X/S versions of games?0:29:19 - Jeff Kaplan tells you to shut up if you haven’t played a game0:43:22 - TMNT x Magic The Gathering0:49:04 - Xbox backwards compatibility rumors swirling0:54:07 - This is an Xbox campaign being retired1:02:11 - Gaming Copilot is coming to Xbox1:17:57 - PC revenue will overtake consoles by 2028?1:30:37 - LEGO Batman’s release date has moved up1:36:01 - Cyberpunk 2077 has no plans for new DLC1:38:50 - Exodus gameplay first look1:42:48 - Resident Evil Requiem sales update1:45:19 - Bravely Default shadow drops on Xbox1:49:27 - Marvel Maximum Collection gets a release date1:51:36 - PSSR 2.0 update1:57:54 - PlayStation Portal update2:02:48 - Switch 2 gets shocking upgrade2:06:13 - What We’re Playing2:24:45 - DLSS 5.0 revealed3:24:06 - Starfield DLC & PS5 Release
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As the "Curse of the Dukes" continues, we have another massive reveal that occurred so quickly after our latest episode of the show was produced. In the last week, we've learned a lot about Xbox's direction for their future and, to their credit, they're being incredibly direct about it. Introducing Project Helix: the codename for Xbox's next bit of hardware that is capable of playing your PC and console games. Following the announcement, they revealed a chockful of information on their plans at this year's Game Developer Conference. "Xbox Full Screen Experience" has evolved into "Xbox Mode" and that arrives on PC in April. After months of testing on the Xbox Ally, Xbox deems this feature ready for the big leagues. As for the next Xbox itself, alpha versions of the hardware will be out by early 2027 for developers. Is it possible we also see a retail release by holiday 2027? Best of all, there is a tease of more to come with Xbox's backwards compatibility program which has lied dormant for years. Is it possible they have additions in store or maybe (just maybe) achievements being added to classic games? Will these classic games be native to the platform or just streamed? Indeed, there are many questions surrounding the brand, but the wind is blowing in a positive direction for them and that's mostly due to seemingly having their ducks in a row on just how they wanted to communicate what their plans actually are.

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro0:08:31 - What We’re Playing0:39:55 - Xbox reveals Project Helix1:13:45 - Satya Nadella renews his vows with Xbox1:34:41 - Opening platform to game developers
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Many have said that you can't put the genie back in the lamp, but PlayStation begs to differ. After years of flirting with PC releases (many of which were delayed after the game's initial launch), Sony's gaming group is erecting the walled garden. Naturally, some Xbox fans are looking over at these moves and wondering if the new leadership regime at Xbox can pull off a similar feat. Have these platform holders been running from their fate all along? Can Xbox even dream of undoing all their years of work on damaging their brand? The Dukes sound off on a topic that we imagine will cycle around for a while yet.

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:07:52 - What are we excited about in video games?0:16:32 - We came so close to a Fallout remaster0:22:06 - Highguard is officially shutting down0:34:34 - Nacon is in trouble0:38:44 - What is happening to WB Games?0:48:05 - DOOM: The Dark Ages DLC is like a sequel0:52:38 - Halo MCC gets a surprise update0:56:13 - A look into Assassin’s Creed’s future1:03:44 - Bloodborne Remake was almost real1:22:35 - Pokemon Winds & Waves revealed1:33:20 - AI game reviews are trickling in1:51:09 - What We’re Playing2:56:09 - PlayStation is mostly walking away from PC
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The winds of change are blowing through Xbox! Two of their three leaders that have guided the entire Series generation in Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond are out. Staying is Matt Booty, who was also promoted (!), and joining as the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming is Asha Sharma. Despite Sarah Bond seemingly being groomed as Phil's successor, Asha steps in with a background that touts her as President of Microsoft's CoreAI alongside time spent at Instacart and Meta as an executive leader. Similarly to when Phil inherited the mess from Don Mattrick, Asha has her work cut out for her. Joining the Dukes is none other than the man to blame for all this nonsense, Brad Ellis. Together, the trio comb through the initial Microsoft blog post that broke the news. From there, we dig into an article by Tom Warren of The Verge who lays the blame of many of Xbox's shortcomings at the feet of Sarah Bond. Like many in our audience asked, we discuss if this is a hit piece, the truth, or somewhere in between. Lastly, Asha Sharma and Matt Booty sat down to chat with Jez Corden about the new lay of the land for Xbox. There are some answers and many questionable non-answers that lead to conversations of their own. Together, let's unpack what is a seismic change for Xbox as the brand continues to feel like it's hanging on by a thread.

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Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

0:00:00 - Intro
0:06:36 - What We’re Playing0:35:06  Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond depart from Xbox
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