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Detective Pidgey

Alt Account
Banned
Jun 4, 2019
6,255
Tempted to buy Psychonauts for ten bucks in the Xbox store. Never played it and 2 looks great. It could end up on Game Pass, I know, but still.
 

Bede-x

Member
Oct 25, 2017
9,381
Want to emphasize how great Indies on Game Pass are right now.

It's fantastic. Microsoft's first parties combined with some older third party games would be enough to subscribe, but getting all these indies - many day one - is almost too much. It feels a little unreal how they're just giving us all those games. Guess that's just how it is now :)
 

Ushay

Member
Oct 27, 2017
8,342
It's fantastic. Microsoft's first parties combined with some older third party games would be enough to subscribe, but getting all these indies - many day one - is almost too much. It feels a little unreal how they're just giving us all those games. Guess that's just how it is now :)

The value proposition is insane, and its only going to get better.

One misconception is some people have the impression they will be bringing only smaller bite-size titles, or mediocre quality to the service. That simply isn't the case, these are world class studios operating with the full backing of MS. I'm saying this as a realist, the best is yet to come for Xbox imo.
 

Bede-x

Member
Oct 25, 2017
9,381
The value proposition is insane, and its only going to get better.

One misconception is some people have the impression they will be bringing only smaller bite-size titles, or mediocre quality to the service. That simply isn't the case, these are world class studios operating with the full backing of MS. I'm saying this as a realist, the best is yet to come for Xbox imo.

Through the roof insane and Xbox is my most used console now because of it. I actually value the smaller titles, first party or otherwise. Something like Blazing Chrome I would have bought day one, now it's just another part of my Game Pass subscription.

As for their own studios, they're quite varied and with a good mixture of AA-AAA (though I still think it would be for the best, if the latter took breaks from their franchises from time to time). There's no reason it should be mediocre titles or they wouldn't be doing their best, but the good news is, even if some of them should end up not reviewing well, they might still have some appeal. Compulsion is probably the weakest link right now and their worlds are still interesting, beyond what a mediocre score would tell us about their games.
 
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NippleViking

Member
May 2, 2018
4,481
A little off topic, but with Game Pass there needs to be an MMO for the service. I think the MMO should be a completely different game and genre.

This MMORPG Wizard101 is a perfect game to fit Game Pass, it's a wizard game where you have multiple schools and you can defeat enemies via card spells. The mechanics are very fun and the graphics are quite good for an MMO.
An MMO would be good, but I don't really think it's feasible. They require an enormous (and continuous) investment of finances, time, and resources, and will be compared against their contemporaries like FFXIV and WoW, which have several years head-start. It's a very very hard market to penetrate, which is partly why we've seen the rise of 'shared-world' or MMO-lite games this gen.
 

OneBadMutha

Member
Nov 2, 2017
6,059
It's fantastic. Microsoft's first parties combined with some older third party games would be enough to subscribe, but getting all these indies - many day one - is almost too much. It feels a little unreal how they're just giving us all those games. Guess that's just how it is now :)

The day 1 Indies alone would be worth the subscription for me. So would the Microsoft studio games. Since E3 the best value in gaming just exploded. We haven't even got to Gears or Halo yet.
 

gremlinz1982

Member
Aug 11, 2018
5,331
The day 1 Indies alone would be worth the subscription for me. So would the Microsoft studio games. Since E3 the best value in gaming just exploded. We haven't even got to Gears or Halo yet.
That value proposition goes up from 25th October with The Outer Worlds.

Not long after there is Gears 5. That is one heck of a way to round off the year considering what the program costs the consumer. It is going to be a madness once internal studio production starts ramping up. They do what they are doing with indies, the occasional big game like Shadow of the Tomb Raider or Metro and people will have more choice than they ever had on content that is not that old on the third party space, alongside day one content.
 
Oct 25, 2017
8,447
That value proposition goes up from 25th October with The Outer Worlds.

Not long after there is Gears 5. That is one heck of a way to round off the year considering what the program costs the consumer. It is going to be a madness once internal studio production starts ramping up. They do what they are doing with indies, the occasional big game like Shadow of the Tomb Raider or Metro and people will have more choice than they ever had on content that is not that old on the third party space, alongside day one content.

Gears 5 is before The Outer Worlds.
 

Jawmuncher

Crisis Dino
Moderator
Oct 25, 2017
38,367
Ibis Island
I didn't even realize Outer Worlds was a gamepass title until yesterday lol.
that's a nice title to launch on the service though, saves me from having to get it as a gift actually.
 

OneBadMutha

Member
Nov 2, 2017
6,059
Game Pass is a service for the hardcore gamer. I'd say it is must have for any gaming enthusiast without a bottomless gaming budget.

For those wondering if Xbox was going to gear itself to the hardcore gamer next gen...it's happening now.
 

12Danny123

Member
Jan 31, 2018
1,722
An MMO would be good, but I don't really think it's feasible. They require an enormous (and continuous) investment of finances, time, and resources, and will be compared against their contemporaries like FFXIV and WoW, which have several years head-start. It's a very very hard market to penetrate, which is partly why we've seen the rise of 'shared-world' or MMO-lite games this gen.

I think with Game Pass and linking MMO Subscriptions to Game Pass will guarantee a large audience. E.g in order to play an MMO, users will have to subscribe to Game Pass.



For this game Wizard101 specifically, I think its game mechanics is unique enough to stand out of the crowd, If Microsoft bought the developer of the game, I think Wizard101 will be popular.
 

pswii60

Member
Oct 27, 2017
26,653
The Milky Way
Game Pass is a service for the hardcore gamer. I'd say it is must have for any gaming enthusiast without a bottomless gaming budget.

For those wondering if Xbox was going to gear itself to the hardcore gamer next gen...it's happening now.
It's not just for hardcore gamers at all. It's an ideal and cheap way for parents to keep their kids/adolescents happy with a constant flow of new games.

What even is a hardcore gamer anyway? There's really no singular definition.
 

Hudsoniscool

Banned
Jun 5, 2018
1,495
agreed gamepass is going to be nuts post gears. Outer worlds, then ori, bleeding edge, flight simulator, halo... I can't wait to see all these games hit the service.


On a different note I'm wondering does Minecraft earth require an Xbox account? If so it's gunna push those MAU numbers through the roof.
 

cyrribrae

Chicken Chaser
Member
Jan 21, 2019
12,723
Man, this would never happen because of the sheer size and complexity, but I could see an evolving halo server-wide MMO with Destiny structure being so cool. Something like you have two opposing factions that you can choose to support, a la planetside 2. But instead of just being a big battlefield (or perhaps on top of that) are specific coop strike missions. As one faction does better, that reflects in the overworld battle and in the specific missions in small but significant ways.

Then, the world changes. So maybe you started in the colonies as squads of nations against squads of insurgents. But then, Covenant show up. For a few months, the missions change drastically as the AI Covenant object uncertainty into how missions play out. Then, a few players start being able to create Covenant characters and expanding that way. Then, it becomes ODSTs VS Covenant. Maybe a season can be flood VS marines and promethean VS Covenant down the line.

Anyway. It would never happen and my idea is half formed at best. But the idea of a truly dynamic world in which to tell evolving planetary scale stories in a limited multiplayer environment is just such a cool concept.
 

Hudsoniscool

Banned
Jun 5, 2018
1,495
I hear a lot of people talk about xcloud pricing. I still believe that it's going to be free and nothing more than a conduit for people to use the Xbox store or Xbox services like gold or gamepass.

Xbox pulls in more revenue per customer than PlayStation or Nintendo. So the more customers they are able to reach the money they will get. And the more you use their services the more money you will spend, so that means existing Xbox users that also use xcloud will be spending more money than they would if they went using Xbox as much.

Pricing it at 10$/month or so is an option but I think that will actually bring in less revenue than if it was free. Telling a customer to pay 10/month for xcloud and then telling them they also have to subscribe to live or gamepass will be a problem.

It being free will help with game sells a lot, and it would really help with gamepass. People who don't have an Xbox but want gamepass is like the line at the apple store. If it's free their sub numbers will skyrocket.
 

In Amber Clad

static and disarray
Moderator
Aug 26, 2018
5,500
London
I feel like it'll just end up being a component of Game Pass. Sub to GP and you can play the library anywhere.

Quick edit: For newcomers, I mean. I know they said existing customers would be able to stream their own library for free.
 

cyrribrae

Chicken Chaser
Member
Jan 21, 2019
12,723
I feel like it'll just end up being a component of Game Pass. Sub to GP and you can play the library anywhere.

Quick edit: For newcomers, I mean. I know they said existing customers would be able to stream their own library for free.
Well just a matter of what you want to stream from. Your own hardware will be free. Streaming from MS will always cost money. My expectation is that there will be an a la carte option because not everyone wants everything. But, I fully expect xCloud to be bundled into Game Pass Ultimate.

That will be the premier subscription going forward and everyone will be incentivized to get it. Essentially, they will have transformed legions of $10 a month for online MP people into even more $15 a month for "all the services that you feel good about using and paying for" people. That's a smart direction
 

Raide

Banned
Oct 31, 2017
16,596
Just come back from the Oxford Circus MS store. Played some Battletoads and Gears. About an hour or so. Played some Xcloud as well.
 

Raide

Banned
Oct 31, 2017
16,596
Worst. Write up. Ever.

;)
Haha


Sorry, I was walking back. Just got into my office.

Ok, cool venue. Lots of cool people around, seemed 12 was a good time since it was quiet.

Played some Toads. The style is pretty cool face to face and the combat animations are cool but the response time for attacks is really delayed. Maybe that's part of how the game works but trying to get a Ying meaningful combos working was super hard when the timing is off. Seems like a fun 3p couch game and it's not overly deep but it was fun.

Gears Escape was really fun, even if they had teams of 3 rolling together, so communication was critical. The mode is super hard, mainly because of a lack of ammo. Seems like a game that could do with an Apex style ping system. Plays pretty much exactly like previous Gears. Will probably play Horde more but Escape will be a fun mode, especially when people start making maps.

Xcloud. Pretty good. Played Halo, Forza and Ori. Forza did have a noticable delay but the graphics seemed fine, so I am not sure if it was controller issues. Halo seemed great, with only a tiny amount of delay but it was SP only. Would have loved to see a MP mode hooked up.

Ori played same as Halo. Really stunning handheld game. Felt pretty responsive and did not notice any graphical drops.

They said Xcloud was on the WiFi there and if that's true, it seems like a pretty good service if it all pans out. Will be nuts if they link it to Game Pass somehow and let people access their titles.
 
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knightmawk

Member
Dec 12, 2018
7,476
I think with Game Pass and linking MMO Subscriptions to Game Pass will guarantee a large audience. E.g in order to play an MMO, users will have to subscribe to Game Pass.



For this game Wizard101 specifically, I think its game mechanics is unique enough to stand out of the crowd, If Microsoft bought the developer of the game, I think Wizard101 will be popular.


I don't think they'd have an MMO that can only be subscribed to through Game Pass, at least not for a long time. That would almost certainly have to be a first party game, because any third party wouldn't agree to it, and even then it's silly to do now.

Other than that I do agree that an MMO or an MMO lite would add a lot of value, Sea of Thieves kind of fits the mold but not exactly MMOie enough.

Side topic, are there any MMOs on Xbox that require a subscription? I know Elder Scrolls has like a plus membership, but I can't think of any. I wonder if there is a policy on that that we don't know about.
 

zedox

Member
Oct 28, 2017
5,215
I hear a lot of people talk about xcloud pricing. I still believe that it's going to be free and nothing more than a conduit for people to use the Xbox store or Xbox services like gold or gamepass.

Xbox pulls in more revenue per customer than PlayStation or Nintendo. So the more customers they are able to reach the money they will get. And the more you use their services the more money you will spend, so that means existing Xbox users that also use xcloud will be spending more money than they would if they went using Xbox as much.

Pricing it at 10$/month or so is an option but I think that will actually bring in less revenue than if it was free. Telling a customer to pay 10/month for xcloud and then telling them they also have to subscribe to live or gamepass will be a problem.

It being free will help with game sells a lot, and it would really help with gamepass. People who don't have an Xbox but want gamepass is like the line at the apple store. If it's free their sub numbers will skyrocket.

xCloud will be a paid service. Phil has already said that. What I've been saying for sometime is that it will be a service that is tied to Xbox Game Pass. I think the eventual model will be:

Xbox Game Pass: Streaming up to 1080p for all Xbox Game Pass library
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Streaming up to 4k for all game purchases, or XGP library

Microsoft's focus is Xbox Game Pass and everything funnel's through it. Think of it like Office 365...all the new things go through it to keep subscribers.

I also think they could do other models as well:

Xbox Game Pass: Streaming to devices of screen size 10" up to 1080p for all XGP library
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Streaming to all devices up to 4k for all gaming

There's a couple different ways MS can do this but my first option is what I'm going with.
 

Raide

Banned
Oct 31, 2017
16,596
I'm leaving to go there in a bit - how were the lines for trying shit out? Lengthy? I don't really want to spend more than an hour there to be honest.
If you have booked a slot, just turn up before that and they give you a badge and you get escorted in groups. I ended up with loads of school kids but Gears was 18 only. You can walk around the place with no issues but the gaming stuff if the booked one. They have some gaming lounge downstairs as well.
 

Raide

Banned
Oct 31, 2017
16,596
So how was Battletoads?
It was pretty fun. Artstyle is funky but it's a simple game with simple mechanics. Not really much to it. Reminds me a little of the Simpsons side scroller. Just the way the animations are exaggerated etc. Pretty quirky but the input delay was a little annoying but it might just be because of how much animation is going on.
 

pswii60

Member
Oct 27, 2017
26,653
The Milky Way
It was pretty fun. Artstyle is funky but it's a simple game with simple mechanics. Not really much to it. Reminds me a little of the Simpsons side scroller. Just the way the animations are exaggerated etc. Pretty quirky but the input delay was a little annoying but it might just be because of how much animation is going on.
In my experience, they probably just didn't have Game Mode enabled on the TV lol
 

Ukumio

The Fallen
Oct 26, 2017
1,415
Australia
I hear a lot of people talk about xcloud pricing. I still believe that it's going to be free and nothing more than a conduit for people to use the Xbox store or Xbox services like gold or gamepass.

Xbox pulls in more revenue per customer than PlayStation or Nintendo. So the more customers they are able to reach the money they will get. And the more you use their services the more money you will spend, so that means existing Xbox users that also use xcloud will be spending more money than they would if they went using Xbox as much.

Pricing it at 10$/month or so is an option but I think that will actually bring in less revenue than if it was free. Telling a customer to pay 10/month for xcloud and then telling them they also have to subscribe to live or gamepass will be a problem.

It being free will help with game sells a lot, and it would really help with gamepass. People who don't have an Xbox but want gamepass is like the line at the apple store. If it's free their sub numbers will skyrocket.
I doubt it'll be truely free. Most likely included in Xbox Gold or Game Pass (or even Ultimate). I could see them pulling something similar to Stadia with 720p being free and anything above being either a new subscription or part of an existing one.
 

Raide

Banned
Oct 31, 2017
16,596
In my experience, they probably just didn't have Game Mode enabled on the TV lol
That seems likely tbh. If it were a bit more precise, then it would be better. It's difficult to know what people wanted from a Battletoads game. Maybe more platforming would have been a better idea and mix in the combat. As it stands, it's a solid, if pretty safe arcade beat em up.
 

zedox

Member
Oct 28, 2017
5,215
I doubt it'll be truely free. Most likely included in Xbox Gold or Game Pass (or even Ultimate). I could see them pulling something similar to Stadia with 720p being free and anything above being either a new subscription or part of an existing one.
It won't be included in Gold...there's no reason to market that. GamePass is the sub that they want everyone in and the brand that they want everyone to recognize. Gold is legacy. It would be included in GamePass...Phil already stated that it is a paid service...I doubt that there will be a free version. I still think Google's free version will have ads...because that's always their business model. Also...there's no reason to advertise Gold...it's a $5/mo subscription...they want you at $10 or $15...especially for something new...yea.
 

Deleted member 18951

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
5,531
xCloud will be a paid service. Phil has already said that. What I've been saying for sometime is that it will be a service that is tied to Xbox Game Pass. I think the eventual model will be:

Xbox Game Pass: Streaming up to 1080p for all Xbox Game Pass library
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Streaming up to 4k for all game purchases, or XGP library

Microsoft's focus is Xbox Game Pass and everything funnel's through it. Think of it like Office 365...all the new things go through it to keep subscribers.

I also think they could do other models as well:

Xbox Game Pass: Streaming to devices of screen size 10" up to 1080p for all XGP library
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Streaming to all devices up to 4k for all gaming

There's a couple different ways MS can do this but my first option is what I'm going with.

That's better :)
 

Sikamikanico

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,562
If you have booked a slot, just turn up before that and they give you a badge and you get escorted in groups. I ended up with loads of school kids but Gears was 18 only. You can walk around the place with no issues but the gaming stuff if the booked one. They have some gaming lounge downstairs as well.

Well they literally cancelled my train while I was queuing for a ticket. So that's me screwed. Sigh.
 

SeanMN

Member
Oct 28, 2017
2,185
agreed gamepass is going to be nuts post gears. Outer worlds, then ori, bleeding edge, flight simulator, halo... I can't wait to see all these games hit the service.

Project Scarlett launching with Gamepass is going to be a huge deal.

It will be a break from tradition as to how launch titles (day 1 and launch window) are handled. Imagine getting Scarlett (which will likely come with a 2 week Gamepass ultimate code), then having immediate (after download) access to Halo Infinite, Forza Motorsport 8, etc? Previously you'd get the console, then budget for a game or two - and this is likely how it will be for PS5 as well. That's a pretty big value proposition, not only for gamers, but for parents of soon to be gamers (if they can nail the messaging). Like when the 1X launched, I wouldn't be surprised if MS allowed pre-downloading of games, so everyone is ready to go.

I think Scarlett + Halo + Gamepass will be very disruptive, even if it's also available on Xbox One and PC.
 

OneBadMutha

Member
Nov 2, 2017
6,059
It's not just for hardcore gamers at all. It's an ideal and cheap way for parents to keep their kids/adolescents happy with a constant flow of new games.

What even is a hardcore gamer anyway? There's really no singular definition.

Agree. Doesn't exclude casual gamer. I'm referring to "hardcore gamer" because it's been a hot button word in Xbox and PlayStation world lately.
 

Governergrimm

Member
Jun 25, 2019
6,535
xCloud will be a paid service. Phil has already said that. What I've been saying for sometime is that it will be a service that is tied to Xbox Game Pass. I think the eventual model will be:

Xbox Game Pass: Streaming up to 1080p for all Xbox Game Pass library
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Streaming up to 4k for all game purchases, or XGP library

Microsoft's focus is Xbox Game Pass and everything funnel's through it. Think of it like Office 365...all the new things go through it to keep subscribers.

I also think they could do other models as well:

Xbox Game Pass: Streaming to devices of screen size 10" up to 1080p for all XGP library
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Streaming to all devices up to 4k for all gaming

There's a couple different ways MS can do this but my first option is what I'm going with.
That has always seemed like the play. It seems like MS is intent on killing it's subscribers with value and options.
 

OG_Thrills

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
4,655
I'm not sure if this has been posted but this looks interesting.


WCCFmicrosoftswitchcontrollerpatent2.jpg

WCCFmicrosoftswitchcontrollerpatent.jpg
 

SeanMN

Member
Oct 28, 2017
2,185

UraMallas

Member
Nov 1, 2017
18,806
United States
As far as I am concerned, if Gamepass includes xCloud streaming from the cloud for no additional charge, that is as good as MS subsidizing it and giving it our for free. I see no difference to the consumer only in semantic arguments on forums. That's giving away xCloud for free.

So, I agree with Hudson. xCloud will be free.
 

Dan8589

Banned
May 30, 2019
320
Perhaps MS could moneyhat the new LOTR MMO that Amazon is doing alongside the TV show as a console exclusive. It's free 2 play but gamepass could give you the sub option I suppose. Although it's third party so not really fair to lock down from PS5.
 
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