Kinda Funny Games Daily: Xbox Says There Will Definitely Be Future Consoles - Detailed Summary

Episode: Xbox Says There Will Definitely Be Future Consoles
Release Date: November 15, 2024
Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr., alongside Angie Hicks and Barrett Courtney

Introduction

The episode kicks off with the hosts sharing light-hearted banter about their personal lives and recent activities. Blessing Adeoye Jr. mentions juggling late-night outings and morning routines, setting a casual and engaging tone for the discussion.

1. Xbox's Commitment to Future Consoles

Main Discussion:
Phil Spencer, Microsoft's gaming CEO, recently confirmed in an interview with Rolling Stone that Xbox will continue to develop new consoles in the future. This announcement comes amid speculation about the company's shift towards a multiplatform strategy, emphasizing the versatility of Xbox across various devices.

Key Points:

• Phil Spencer's Assurance: Spencer emphasized that the Xbox Series X and Series S are not the final consoles, hinting at ongoing hardware development.

  "We'll definitely do more consoles in the future," Spencer confirmed (05:57).

• Xbox Handheld Rumors: There is ongoing speculation about an Xbox handheld device, which Spencer indicated is still years away from release.

  "Other devices may refer to the often reported Xbox Handheld, which Spencer said earlier this week was in the pipeline but was likely still years away," according to Chris Scolion at Video Games Chronicle (05:27).

• Multiplatform Strategy: Spencer articulated that Xbox's focus is on creating unique value for players and creators rather than incremental hardware upgrades.

  "We think about hardware that can create unique value for our players or creators on our platform... a new device really give you a unique experience on screen in some way," Spencer explained (06:00).

Host Insights: Greg Miller reflects on Xbox's messaging strategy, noting the dual communication approach targeting both casual and hardcore gamers.

"I feel it's a needed conversation to settle down... trying to speak to two different audiences," Miller remarked (07:16).

Angie Hicks agrees, praising Xbox's hardware messaging compared to PlayStation's approach and speculating on potential future console releases.

"I think Xbox does a way better job than PlayStation when it comes to messaging hardware," Hicks stated (10:40).

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller on Xbox's future consoles:

  "I think they have their heads. Like I think their minds are in the right place as far as how they're treating at least their hardware," (07:53).

• Angie Hicks on PlayStation's potential response:

  "Maybe by 2026 we're talking about the next Xbox console," (09:19).

2. Avowed's Premium Edition and Early Access

Main Discussion:
Avowed, an upcoming title by Obsidian, is introducing a premium edition priced at $90, offering players five days of early access. This move aligns with recent trends where premium editions include additional perks such as skin packages, digital art books, and soundtracks.

Key Points:

• Premium Edition Details: The $90 Avowed premium edition includes a skin package, digital art book, game soundtrack, and five days of early access starting February 13th, five days before the standard release on February 18th, 2025.

  "Avowed is the latest game to offer early access as part of a more expensive edition for $90 SL90," reported Sophie Hicks (23:44).

• Comparison to Starfield: Similar to Microsoft's Starfield, Avowed's early access is available to Game Pass subscribers willing to pay an additional fee.

  "Microsoft Starfield also offered this and offered a premium edition upgrade which meant players who planned to play the game on Xbox Game Pass could pay a one time fee to just receive the premium edition contents," Hicks explained (23:44).

Host Reactions: Greg Miller expresses skepticism about the value proposition of the premium edition, questioning the necessity of paying extra for digital extras and minor early access.

"I would not do this. I'm very excited for Avowed. Excited might not be the right word... digital art book, don't give a fuck about soundtrack," Miller commented (25:36).

Barrett Courtney echoes similar sentiments, emphasizing a preference for physical merchandise over digital additions.

"It's going to be a really cool skin... Let me put up a real physical art book," Courtney noted (25:57).

Angie Hicks discusses the potential implications of this trend for Xbox's future offerings, suggesting it might become a standard practice.

"I think this is them setting the stage and they've already been doing this correct... going forward this is how it's always going to be," Miller observed (44:49).

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller on the practicality of the premium edition:

  "But like, for me personally, this is... digital soundtrack. I have to delete this shit," (26:15).

• Angie Hicks on the value of physical items:

  "I'm just going to go. Let me go to Google images, type in concept art for Avowed and get the same exact thing," (26:40).

3. Cancellation of Ubisoft's Splinter Cell Movie

Main Discussion:
Ubisoft has officially canceled its long-anticipated Splinter Cell movie adaptation. Despite multiple attempts since its announcement in 2012, including casting Tom Hardy and attaching director Doug Lehmkuhl, the project failed to materialize due to script and budget issues.

Key Points:

• Official Cancellation: Producer Basil Iwanik confirmed the cancellation, citing challenges with the script and budget despite numerous versions being developed.

  "The movie would have been awesome. We just couldn't get it right script wise, budget wise," Iwanik stated (46:31).

• Historical Context: The Splinter Cell movie has been in limbo for over a decade, with no progress since the initial announcements and casting news in 2014.

• Alternative Adaptation: An anime series adaptation is currently in production at Netflix, set to premiere in 2025, offering a new avenue for the beloved franchise.

Host Insights: Greg Miller laments the cancellation, expressing disappointment but also skepticism about Ubisoft's stability following the failed film project.

"I don't think Ubisoft as we know it's long for this world," Miller opined (47:28).

Angie Hicks reflects on the potential for a future Splinter Cell adaptation outside Ubisoft, suggesting that creative control issues might have hindered the project's success.

"I think Ubisoft Splinter Cell could be good if it's not under Ubisoft," Hicks commented (47:13).

Barrett Courtney adds context by discussing Ubisoft's internal challenges, including overproduction and lackluster game releases leading to a downturn in the company's reputation.

"We had way too many different versions of this. Way too many cooks in the kitchen on what this movie was going to be," Courtney shared (46:40).

Notable Quotes:

• Basil Iwanik on the Splinter Cell movie:

  "We had a million different versions of it, but it was going to be hardcore and awesome," (46:31).

• Greg Miller on Ubisoft's future:

  "I don't think Ubisoft as we know it's long for this world," (47:28).

4. Blizzard's Upcoming Open World Shooter

Main Discussion:
Blizzard Entertainment is hiring for a Design Director of Innovation for an unannounced open-world shooter, sparking speculation about a potential StarCraft-themed FPS. This move aligns with Blizzard's attempts to diversify its game portfolio under Microsoft's ownership.

Key Points:

• Job Posting: Blizzard posted a job ad seeking a Design Director of Innovation to lead strategic innovations on a forthcoming open-world shooter.

  "As the Design Director of innovation, you'll be the vision holder and owner of key strategic innovations on an upcoming open world shooter game," the job description stated (56:05).

• Speculation on StarCraft FPS: Following reports from Bloomberg and Jason Schreier's "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall and Future of Blizzard Entertainment," there is speculation that Blizzard may be developing a StarCraft first-person shooter under former Far Cry executive producer Dan Hay.

  "In my experience, it's both... the studio head has to make business decisions," David Brevik adds (42:52).

Host Reactions: Greg Miller expresses optimism about the project, citing Dan Hay's track record and the potential for innovation under Blizzard's new management.

"I think if he's got a team over there, you know, Blizzard isn't the... it's the Xbox Blizzard. This is a Blizzard that wants to make games," Miller stated (58:03).

Angie Hicks relates this development to broader industry trends of leveraging established IPs to introduce new gaming experiences.

"I mean, it reminds me of League of Legends a little bit where I'm somebody who would never play League of Legends. But then they announced 2xko and I plan to be very obsessed with 2xko," Hicks remarked (59:08).

Barrett Courtney highlights Blizzard's historical challenges with StarCraft adaptations but remains hopeful for this iteration.

"And I think if he's got a team over there... Dan Hayes, talented," Courtney enthuses (58:22).

Notable Quotes:

• David Brevik on decision-making at studios:

  "You have to balance that... what are things that we could do that we think that people will respond positively to," Brevik explained (42:52).

• Sophie Turner on studio decisions:

  "It's all about the business. Right. And so like they, they're going to be the people that are okaying," Turner shared (42:52).

5. Additional News Highlights

a. Ubisoft's Corporate Struggles: Barrett Courtney and Angie Hicks delve into Ubisoft's decline, attributing it to overambitious projects, management issues, and the shift towards a more corporate structure under Vivendi’s influence.

b. Upcoming Games and Releases:

• Tricky Madness: A successor to SSX Tricky, released on Steam Early Access.

  "Tricky Madness is out now on Steam Early Access. It's basically an SSX Tricky Successor style game," Hicks noted (60:15).

• New World Updates: Amazon's upcoming event for "New World: The Return of Turon" features new quests and rewards, including unique items like the Grand Gobbler Warhammer.

  "Players can hunt down the feathered Goddamn it. The Feathered Adventure of Death," Hicks explained (62:12).

c. Community Engagement: The hosts interact with listeners’ super chats, addressing questions about game DLC eligibility for awards and expressing appreciation for listener support. They also announce upcoming shows and events, reinforcing community involvement.

Conclusion

The episode provides an in-depth look at Xbox's future plans, Avowed's premium edition strategy, and the unfortunate cancellation of Ubisoft's Splinter Cell movie. Additionally, insights into Blizzard's potential new open-world shooter offer listeners a glimpse into upcoming industry developments. The hosts engage actively with their audience, fostering a sense of community while delivering comprehensive news and thoughtful commentary on the gaming landscape.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Phil Spencer on Future Consoles:
  "We'll definitely do more consoles in the future," (05:57)

• Greg Miller on Xbox Messaging:
  "I think Phil's been open this week of the Xbox Handheld is real. We're working on it. It's years away," (07:53)

• Angie Hicks on Xbox vs. PlayStation Messaging:
  "I think Xbox does a way better job than PlayStation when it comes to messaging hardware," (10:40)

• Basil Iwanik on Splinter Cell Movie Cancellation:
  "We had a million different versions of it, but it was going to be hardcore and awesome," (46:31)

• Greg Miller on Blizzard's Future Projects:
  "Blizzard isn’t the Blizzard that’s chronicled in Jason's book. This is the Xbox Blizzard," (58:03)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the episode's key discussions, insights, and notable moments, providing an informative overview for those who haven't tuned in.