The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 is soon upon us and you know the tradition! It's Defining Duke. It's Xbox Two. It's showcase season! Compared to prior years, the pressure on Xbox feels a little lessened. The games are in full swing and mostly delivering, Project Latitude is far less controversial, and many are just hoping the company maintains the status quo for once. So, for the games: Is it time for Elder Scrolls VI? Does Halo make its return to the big stage? Does Final Fantasy VII Remake finally hit the platform? What of Persona 4 Remake? Can Playground Games announce Forza Horizon 6 this year? With speculitis flowing through our veins, we heavily debate the "yays" and "nays" of Xbox's next summer showcase for five whole hours. Enjoy!Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro0:05:21 - Health Is Wealth0:17:22 - Write Ins0:26:16 - What We're Playing1:33:39 - Bethesda Predictions2:16:17 - Activision Predictions2:42:05 - Halo Studios2:59:49 - The Coalition3:01:45 - Compulsion Games3:06:05 - Double Fine3:12:34 - Inxile Entertainment3:19:01 - Mojang3:21:47 - Ninja Theory3:29:17 - Obsidian Entertainment3:45:44 - Playground Games3:59:18 - Rare4:06:29 - The Initiative4:10:50 - Turn 104:16:46 - Undead Labs4:22:42 - World’s Edge4:24:50 - Audience inquiries & random predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Much has been said about Xbox's multiplatform shift, but Xbox finally has games AND they're selling. It's truly a momentous occasion! The Dukes bend the knee as they assess a strong month for Xbox bringing four of the five best selling games to other platforms. What does this mean for the Switch 2 ports and Xbox's brand identity? Naturally, we unpack that. We also get into the thick of Bungie's latest plagiarism scandal. Just how damning are the accusations and is Marathon on the brink of cancellation? If it were to get to its release, what does it need to keep the studio alive? Indeed, things look incredibly grim for Bungie and many exit strategies are likely being planned.Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro0:08:19 - Health Is Wealth0:17:35 - Write Ins0:20:35 - Xbox handheld leaks0:25:48 - Xbox is dominating on PlayStation0:38:06 - Microsoft cuts 3% of its overall workforce0:40:04 - Xbox announces “Retro Classics”0:46:30 - Xbox is talking to Steam for its next console0:52:51 - DOOM: The Dark Ages has reached 3 million players0:59:41 - Gears Of War movie has its director1:05:27 - Oblivion Remastered’s completion rate is concerning?1:09:20 - Jade Raymond leaves Haven Studio1:20:18 - Arrowhead’s next game might come to Xbox1:25:03 - Atomfall is getting a sequel or spin-off1:27:33 - Randy Pitchford on $80 for Borderlands 41:37:53 - New Kingdom Hearts 4 screenshots1:44:59 - Red Dead Redemption 2 is getting a current gen update1:45:46 - Cyberpunk Orion details1:47:56 - What We’re Playing2:04:10 - Bungie is caught stealing art… again2:41:23 - Hellblade 2 to PS5 this summer2:50:26 - Avowed director leaves Obsidian3:10:19 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass3:17:39 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Dukes get ready to rip and tear through another set of video games news and releases! Joining us is honorary Duke, Gene Park, to talk about the latest game out of iD Software in DOOM: The Dark Ages. It's the third entry in iD's modern reboot of the franchise and, as always, they've taken a new approach to things. DOOM: The Dark Ages places a shield in your hands and asks you to "stand and fight." How does this feel in comparison to DOOM Eternal's lightning fast combat or the more deliberate nature of DOOM 2016? It finds itself in the middle as all three Dukes have different takes on this one. Its combat, story, enemy variety, pacing, traversal, level design. All of them speak to us (or not) in ways that really highlight this isn't iD's best DOOM, but it's not their worst. It finds itself in the middle and, by the finale, feels like the series has run out of gas. So, what does this team of talented FPS developers do next? Is it time for Quake? Naturally, we discuss all of that and much more.Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro0:16:50 - Health is Wealth0:31:02 - GTA 6 Update0:34:38 - Should Xbox have held the Gears announcement?0:48:15 - Fallout Season 2 drops in December1:00:06 - DOOM: The Dark Ages physical copy debacle1:10:28 - Oblivion Remastered’s continuous issues1:23:26 - Xbox returning to back compat focus?1:37:54 - GTA IV Remaster inbound?1:46:43 - Mafia: The Old Country release date and pricing1:54:21 - Will Borderlands 4 jump for $80?2:07:47 - Marvel 1943: Rise Of Hydra has been delayed to 20262:11:09 -  Capcom is doing better than we understand2:21:09 - Square Enix’s rough financials2:30:39 - Warner Bros Games revenue is in the tubes2:32:13 - Doom: The Dark Ages3:33:16 - What We’re Playing4:00:05 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Well, it finally happened... Dogs and cats are finally sleeping together. Xbox has announced one of its iconic franchises with Gears of War Reloaded coming to PlayStation Day and Date! The Dukes break down the magnitude and ramifications of this major inflection point in Xbox console gaming identity. Meanwhile GTA6 casually reveals an explosive second trailer, Expedition 33 continues to dominate the news cycle, and Xbox Handhelds are leaking all over the place. Joining Cog this week is Brad, to dive into all the latest Xbox News and more!Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:03:06 - Health is Wealth0:11:46 - Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: Three Million Sold0:13:48 - Split Fiction Surpasses 4 Million Sales0:17:08 - PS5's top 3 selling games in April 2025 were all from Xbox0:23:13 - Compulsion Games Role Not to make Blockbusters like COD0:29:47 - Expedition 33 Magical Development Story0:41:43 - Expedition 330:52:16 - Destiny 2 YEAR OF PROPHECY (Star Wars)1:04:35 - GTA Release Date & Trailer 21:24:12 - Expedition 33 Says “Oblivion Remaster Didn't Harm Us"1:36:47 - Gears of War Reloaded On Playstation2:02:44 - Xbox ROG ALLY2 Leaked2:12:56 - Game Pass Pick of the Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Well, we were ready to have a very positive episode, but here we are! Xbox has gone all the way ahead of most of the competition and confirmed the following. Console and accessories prices are jumping immediately. Xbox game prices will reach $80 by the end of the year. In a world where the first party is mostly producing divisive titles sitting in the ~80 open critic range, you have to imagine Xbox’s financial situation can’t be in a brilliant stop to step on a rake ahead of its competition. Yet, that’s where things get even more interesting. Xbox’s Q3 2025 results saw them at the industry’s top publisher while also being the leader in games sold on PlayStation with at least four of their titles in the top 10. Xbox wants their money and the Dukes have plenty of thoughts on this. Is this going to push even more people into Game Pass? Will this give birth to a free tier of Game Pass? What of Cloud Streaming’s growth when consoles are becoming extremely pricey. Meanwhile, it's already May and it feels as if we have enough fantastic games to begin our voting on Game Of The Year! Expedition 33 is the talk of the town alongside Oblivion and rightfully so, but it's fascinating just how many incredible experiences surround them. Unlikely heroes in Last Defense Academy, sleeper indie hits in Towerborne, and much more are around every corner. Who has time for all of this? Hell if we know, but we're just happy to be on the ride 2025 is taking us on.Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:06:28 - Health Is Wealth0:36:44 - Oblivion reaches 4 million players0:41:49 - Expedition 33 has sold 1 million copies0:56:38 - People Can Fly’s Project Maverick revealed1:02:58 - Borderlands 4 gets new release date1:08:47 - Wuchang Fallen Feather launches on July 24th, 20251:10:56 - Robocop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business launches on July 17th, 20251:12:37 - FBC: Firebreak launches on June 17th, 20251:16:41 - Tainted Grail: Fall Of Avalon leaves early access on May 23rd1:19:53 - Baldur’s Gate 3 director on AI1:29:16 - TMNT Splintered Fate is coming to Xbox and PlayStation1:37:31 - Kevin Eastman on the TMNT Last Ronin video game1:41:19 - Capcom teases Resident Evil 91:44:18 - Splinter Cell: Blacklist randomly gets Steam achievements1:47:50 - Elden Ring passes 30 million sales1:50:11 - Microsoft Q3 Results1:57:06 - Expedition 332:34:24 - Marathon2:54:19 - Oblivion Remaster3:16:26 - Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy3:22:29 - Xbox price increase4:04:00 - Respawn suffers more layoffs and cancellations4:19:08 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a pretty unique week for Defining Duke listeners. It's practically no news and all games. Oblivion Remaster truly was shadowdropped. That just happens to be the same week that a bonafide GOTY contender in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 arrives. Oh, we also have Last Defense Academy and Blue Prince to add to that bunch and that's just the last couple of weeks! Joining us to comb through this week and much more is Ebontis, co-host of The Last Word and a variety based content creator.Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro0:04:03 - Health is Wealth0:23:39 - Oblivion’s impact on Expedition 330:39:09 - Fallout 3’s remaster just got more exciting0:47:45 - Honest talk about leak culture1:00:08 - Oblivion Remaster player count1:09:20 - Outer Worlds 2 new gameplay drops1:16:27 - Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 Remake will have a career mode1:18:11 - Star Wars Zero Company trailer reveal1:24:02 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 332:12:12 -  KCD 22:23:16 - Split Fiction2:29:21 - Blue Prince2:36:10 - The First Berzerker Khazan2:46:15 - Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy2:58:08 - Oblivion Remake3:26:52 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I was born 87 years ago. For 65 years I ruled as Tamriel’s emperor. For all these years, I’ve never been the ruler of my own dreams. I have seen the Gates of Oblivion, beyond which no waking eye may see. Behold! In darkness, a doom sweeps the land. This is the 27th of Last Seed. The year of Akatosh 433. These are the closing days of the 3rd Era... and the final hours of my life. Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:13:27 - Health Is Wealth 0:40:48 - Write Ins 0:44:48 - Marathon reveal impressions 1:13:46 - Star Wars Zero Company officially announced 1:17:30 - Mafia: The Old Country release date leaks 1:23:51 - Xbox summer showcase rumors are already here 1:33:35 - Outer Worlds 2 gets new gameplay 1:59:22 - DOOM: The Dark Ages accessories revealed 2:04:39 - Cronos: The New Dawn gameplay reveal 2:08:49 - Triple I Showcase announcements 2:13:04 - Sea Of Thieves heads to Battlenet 2:14:00 - Elder Scrolls Online isn’t going anywhere 2:21:42 - Zenless Zone Zero is coming to Xbox in June 2:22:12 - What We’re Playing 2:40:31 - Oblivion Remastered is real 3:14:04 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass 3:17:20 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following the delay of Fable, it was a coin toss on who would get the nod to follow up Xbox's 2025 summer showcase with a Developer Direct of their own. Now, we have the answer. No, it's not Gears Of War: E-Day and no it's not Halo. It's The Outer Worlds 2! Combined with this reveal, IGN posted over 10 minutes of Outer Worlds 2 gameplay! While it pops the bubble ahead of its full inflation, the Dukes were excited to lay eyes on the game following its December reveal. What has changed? What has improved? Also, what else will we see at this summer's showcase? We're full of guesses, so let's get to speculating! Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:05:46 - Health is Wealth 0:23:54 - Write Ins 0:38:52 - Oblivion Remake is shadow dropping any moment this month 0:48:04 - Xbox’s AI generated Quake II demo 1:02:53 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 details 1:05:38 - Titanfall 3 rumors 1:11:21 - Final Fantasy VII Remake is still Xbox bound 1:16:24 - Hidetaka Miyazaki addresses multiplayer concerns 1:21:48 - Marathon reveal on April 12th 1:28:53 - A Deus Ex return is being pitched 1:31:37 - Zenless Zone Zero is coming to Xbox soon 1:32:23 - What We’re Playing 2:13:59 - Xbox summer showcase announced 2:54:14 - Switch 2 follow up 3:18:04 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The next exclusive from the "Class Of 2018" has arrived! It's South Of Midnight, hailing from Montreal's very own Compulsion Games, and it's another mixed bag. For all the visuals, stop motion, and music do to set the game apart, the Dukes struggled to fall in love with story following its abrupt conclusion. There's a lot to dig about it, but we wonder how the Xbox fandom will react to this after effectively waiting since 2018 for a story that doesn't necessarily wrap it up or make the best use of its gameplay mechanics. Alas, it's another "good, not great" that the Dukes think you should check out at sometime, but can't really justify the 40 bones you'd spend on it outside of Game Pass. In other news, Nintendo has upended the industry with their newly announced game prices which reach as high as $90 on the physical front. How this will have a ripple effect on the industry is easy to guess, but naturally, we dig a little deeper into the conversation than that. Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:23:56 - Xbox handheld teased by ASUS 0:28:15 - How Xbox games are selling on PlayStation and Steam 0:35:09 - Why are Activision games not on Game Pass? 0:38:40 - RuneScape Dragonwids announced 0:48:29 - First look at Star Wars turn based tactics game 0:52:48 - MindsEye is releasing June 10th 0:55:32 - Trails Beyond The Horizon confirmed for Fall 2025 0:59:34 - Atomfall has surpassed 1.5 million players 1:02:04 - Powerwash Simulator tops 17 million players 1:02:41 - Death Stranding reaches 20 million players 1:03:51 - Monster Hunter Wilds sells 10 million units in 1 month 1:05:08 - Expedition 33 has gone gold 1:06:45 - Assassins Creed Invictus is launching this year 1:09:51 - Ubisoft and Tencent’s new partnership 1:18:22 - What We’re Playing 1:54:31 - Nintendo Switch 2 Direct reactions 2:34:56 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A mere UI leak has given birth to many conspiracies on Xbox's potential gameplan to get PlayStation games on their hardware. With the inclusion of Steam tag on the Xbox PC App, it has opened the door for many to wonder if this all inclusive platform is part of Xbox's next generation vision. Naturally, Steam on a next generation Xbox device brings with it a lot of business related questions. How does Xbox make any money at all from Steam games purchased on their hardware? Do they even care about that? Will Xbox's storefront and unified ecosystem be enough to give them an edge when their games are everywhere? The Dukes dive into this plus your many questions on the subject! Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:51:39 - Phil Spencer is showing great interest in TV and Film 1:02:53 - 5 more years of Sea Of Thieves 1:04:59 - Indy finally has a PS5 date 1:08:06 - Xbox introduces Game Hubs 1:12:19 - South Of Midnight early access 1:16:52 - Publishers are avoiding GTA VI 1:21:08 - Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 is finished 1:25:59 - Trails In The Sky Remake release date 1:27:48 - Persona 4 Remake details 1:36:59 - Silksong is planned for June 2025? 1:39:10 - An update on the Greek God Of War rumors 1:43:36 - Assassin’s Creed Shadows hit 2 million players in 2 days 1:49:13 - GameInformer is back 1:57:09 - What We’re Playing 2:32:10 - What Xbox games are coming to Switch 2? 2:43:14 - Xbox is turning into a PC 3:11:11 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's one more game in April? As Xbox plans to publish games like South Of Midnight, feed Game Pass with Clair Obscur and Towerborne, as well as moving their multiplatform push forward with Indy and Forza Horizon 5 all in the same month, there's more. Indeed, the rumor is that the long discussed Oblivion Remake on Unreal Engine 5 will not only be announced next month, but release then too. "When and where" are the immediate questions that rush to the minds of the Dukes! Also, does Bethesda have something else up their sleeve to move so hastily for a game that will likely do gangbusters? We dive in. Plus, more details on Xbox's partner handheld, Starfield PS5 rumors continue to pick up, KOTOR Remake lives on (again), and so much more! Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:51:13 - Knights Of The Old Republic Remake lives on 0:54:54 - Some updates on ID@Xbox 1:01:14 - PlayStation logo appears on Starfield’s official Creations website 1:01:57 - Towerborne has a console release date 1:07:26 - Atomfall is 25ish hours long 1:09:03 - People Can Fly has signed a deal to make a new game for PlayStation 1:13:16 - Jez Corden on State Of Decay 3 1:18:20 - Silent Hill F announced 1:22:33 - Space Marine 3 has been confirmed by Saber Interactive 1:27:12 - Split Fiction has now sold 2 million copies 1:29:21 - Swen Vincke speaks out in defense of single player games 1:32:26 - Ubisoft has reportedly implemented an “anti-harassment plan” 1:35:04 - Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster has reached 5 million sales 1:36:42 - Powerwash Simulator 2 has been announced 1:38:22 - Square Enix’s Life Is Strange Double Exposure reportedly bombed 1:41:40 - Ubisoft’s unique approach to selling off 1:49:48 - What We’re Playing 2:27:56 - Oblivion’s Remake is going to shadow drop next month?! 2:58:43 - Some additional details on Xbox’s partner handheld 3:08:42 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass 3:10:18 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a big week for Xbox hardware fans. A report from Jez Corden has injected new, optimistic life into the conversation. In 2025, Xbox will deliver their first ever "partner device" in another team up with ASUS. It will be a handheld and likely symbolize the next step into what Xbox evisions as the future of their platform. That's no mere guesswork as we also have word that come 2027, a new generation of device will be in our hands. One, a powerful console built more like a PC, and another that serves as the "official Xbox handheld." The Dukes dissect Xbox's hardware plans and what they aim to accomplish in a space where they've lost ground. Undoubtedly, AI will be a big part of Xbox's push into next gen and the Dukes got a peak at that. This week, we learned about "Copilot For Gaming." Not much to be said here. Join us for an existential crisis! Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:16:52 - Bethesda on future Starfield updates 0:33:45 - Activision confirms that BlizzCon will return in 2026 0:36:51 - Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 will ditch 4’s original career mode 0:42:36 - Ori series has sold more than 15 million copies 0:46:36 - Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is headed to PS5 on April 17th 0:53:09 - You’ll need a Microsoft Account to play Forza on PS5 0:59:24 - A Gears Of War 2 remaster was canceled 10 years ago 1:01:43 - Atomfall previews 1:09:45 - Nacon Connect 2025 1:15:21 - A ton of news in the world of EA 1:33:33 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach launches June 26th 1:42:13 - What We’re Playing 2:01:42 - Xbox's next generation hardware plans have leaked 2:35:08 - Xbox announces Copilot For Gaming 3:10:41 - Is Xbox looking into purchasing Ubisoft IP? 3:23:35 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After years of rumors, the Gears Of War Collection has become a bit of a running gag in the Xbox community. If it happens, great. If it doesn't, we never fully believed in it anyway. This week, we have Jez Corden to thank because it made for one of our fastest evolving stories mid-show! Starting off as a discussion of whether or not the Gears Of War Collection would ever happen, we quickly learned it is happening and... it won't have multiplayer. Is this a major dealbreaker for Xbox fans? Naturally, the Dukes debate, but the real question after assessing the early Forza Horizon 5 sales data is if it will matter to those playing on other platforms. Forza Horizon 5 is already beating out hot products with full marketing campaigns that are set to hit the market. Most stunning of all is that despite amassing 40+ million players and being available on multiple platforms for years, Forza Horizon 5's early access edition is the lead seller. It says a lot about how Xbox as a platform is viewed versus their content. So, let's dive in! Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:30:09 - Tony Hawk Pro Skater is back 0:50:44 - A new Gears Of War rumor 1:06:34 - Expedition 33 previews 1:14:46 - Hideki Kamiya still wants to make Scalebound 1:18:11 - CoD leaker doubles down on new Xbox consoles in 2026 1:25:03 - Monster Hunter Wilds has sold 8 million copies 1:27:35 - Sonic Unleashed has been ported to PC by fans 1:34:35 - Turok Dinosaur Hunter suddenly gets released 1:36:27 - Terminator 2D: No Fate arrives on September 5th 1:38:43 - Jason Schreier reports that a new LEGO game is on the way 1:44:48 - Suikoden announcements 1:48:42 - Rockstar Games has acquired Video Games Deluxe 1:49:26 - Steam reaches 40 Million concurrent online users 1:50:12 - La Quimera revealed 1:51:30 - Demon Slayer is getting another game 1:52:30 - Games publisher Acclaim has returned 1:55:35 - Ubisoft’s Far Cry extraction shooter has been rebooted 2:05:38 - What We’re Playing 2:40:40 - Jez confirms no multiplayer on Gears Collection 3:12:17 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass 3:17:35 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It has been a whirlwind of a week for the games industry. Massive studio closures continue at a rapid pace and now we have Fable delay for the cherry on top! Where to begin? Well, for the Xbox faithful, let's sink into Fable first. It was given a 2025 release window at Xbox's 2024 Summer Showcase, but Playground Games has pulled the plug early on that happening. Announced by new head of Xbox Game Studios Craig Duncan, we also got a glimpse at some pre-alpha gameplay for Fable. The game looks great, at least visually, but has left many wondering what's taking so long? Rumors of this game started kicking around in 2018 only for the game to be fully announced in 2020. By summer 2026, we're looking at six full years of building this game up. So, what gives? Is it a PS5 port, the looming release of GTA VI, or something much deeper? The Dukes discuss in Cog's return! Naturally, we dive deep into the mismanagement of WB Games as we have for weeks. To put an exclamation point on things, they have shut down Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and WB San Diego. As their game's division continues its tailspin, the Dukes sift through the wreckage to see if there's any hope in saving what remains of WB Games. We also tackle the conversation around MUSE once more following new comments by Satya Nadella, how NetEase is hitting a speed bump despite the rocketing success of Marvel Rivals, and much more! Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:33:55 - Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 has been rated 0:39:50 - 11 games announced at ID@Xbox showcase 0:43:33 - The truth behind Avowed's development revealed 0:53:23 - Satya Nadella speaks on MUSE 1:08:09 - Bloober Team and Konami announce a deal together 1:09:52 - Some updates on the January hardware performance 1:12:45 - What's going on with NetEase? 1:22:18 - Tekken 8 has reached 3 million copies sold 1:27:16 - Exodus is targeting a 2026 release window 1:29:45 - Persona 4 Remake on the way? 1:32:11 - God Of War remasters soon? 1:33:43 - Dragon Age The Veilguard is already on PS Plus 1:38:27 - What We’re Playing 2:14:16 - Xbox delays Fable to 2026 2:44:16 - WB Games shuts down three studios 3:15:06 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Xbox unveiled MUSE, a generative AI model aimed at boosting creativity and possibilities for gameplay. Published in the journal Nature as well as announced by Microsoft Research, the Xbox team shared findings alongside Ninja Theory on what this new AI model that was trained on Bleeding Edge could accomplish. In the extensive write-ups, we learn about the principles of this AI model, what Xbox's mandate is for it across their first party studios, and even get teased a bit on what it could mean for backwards compatibility. However, is it all sunshine and roses here for Xbox's new approach to game development? The push for AI is on more than ever and it's no longer a matter of "if" but rather "when." Like any tool, its public perception will be dictated by how responsibly it is handled. Joining Matty this week is Brad, to clean up the AI mess, and dive into a whole bunch of other Xbox news. We follow up our last episode's conversation on Avowed, dig into the future of Obsidian, mull over yet another Phil Spencer interview, and plenty more in what is bound to be divisive subject for many listeners. Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro/Avowed follow-up 0:22:33 - How will Obsidian scale after Avowed? 0:27:42 - Bobby Kotick interview 0:37:53 - Another Tony Hawk Pro Skater on the way? 0:45:09 - Jez Corden on Xbox’s next console 0:56:28 - Machine Games grows 0:59:35 - Updates on the leaked Final Fantasy remakes 1:09:14 - Stalker 2 is getting its biggest update yet 1:11:49 - Lost Soul Aside is getting a physical copy! 1:12:44 - Fairgame$ has been pushed to 2026 1:15:07 - System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is getting a release date soon 1:18:47 - Kingdom Come Deliverance passes 2 million copies sold 1:19:57 - Funko Fusion developer 10:10 has reportedly been hit with layoffs 1:22:22 - Visionary art director Viktor Antonov passed away at age 52 1:24:39 - What We’re Playing 2:00:13 - Xbox introduces MUSE 2:35:24 - Phil Spencer interview 2:41:28 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass 2:43:30 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a long build up, the boys have played and finished Avowed! Joining the Dukes is Gene Park where we discuss everything from our combined experience with Avowed, to a preview with South Of Midnight, and even Sony's recent State Of Play. While there are few subjects to tackle, each of them have a lot of meat on their bones. So, let's not delay any further. Is Obsidian's latest RPG worth the dive? Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 00:07:31 - State of Play 01:53:21 - WB Games continues to plummet 02:17:48 - Warhorse Studios updates 02:27:40 - Elden Ring Nightreign launch date 02:31:05 - GTA6 is still on for 2025 02:36:11 - What We’re Playing (Avowed) 04:02:43 - Game Pass Pick of the Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining this episode is Obsidian's very own Carrie Patel to tell us all we need to know going into Avowed! Everything from framerate and role-playing mechanics to the future of the Pillars franchise is covered in our deep dive with the game's director. Also, we get a bit into what's behind the secret sauce that allows a team like Obsidian to release so many games in a short period of time while the rest of the industry toils away on one-and-done projects. That's not the only news to come out of Obsidian as the lead writer of Fallout's most loved entry in New Vegas just returned to the studio. John Gonzalez is known for not only his work on the Horizon series, but also his iconic characters created such as Mr. House, the Strip families, Caesar, and so on. Could Obsidian be cooking on Fallout? Well, not according to John, but we theorize nonetheless. Naturally, we get into the plethora of PS5 ports announced this week in Forza Horizon 5 as well as the Age Of Empires series plus plenty more in a girthy week of Defining Duke! Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:12:02 - John Gonzalez, lead creative designer on Fallout: New Vegas is back 0:21:33 - It’s raining PS5 ports! 0:31:31 - Gears Of War Trilogy Collection leaks? 0:36:09 - Breaking down Xbox’s Q2 2025 stats 0:59:05 - The Sleeping Dogs saga 1:04:05 - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth had a strong launch on Steam 1:08:48 - Devil May Cry 1 Remake possibly in development 1:13:51 - EA suggests that Dragon Age would’ve done better as a live service game 1:28:39 - First look at the new Battlefield 1:34:40 - Hideki Kamiya confirms that Platinum lost a ton of talent 1:41:24 - Some Capcom announcements 1:43:42 - Multiversus is going offline 1:47:19 - Fun economic updates for ya 1:52:49 - What We’re Playing 2:33:58 - Interview with Carrie Patel 3:17:16 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass 3:22:02 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a strong financial performance in December 2024 and a non-disastrous Phil Spencer interview, gamers are seemingly starting to bite on Xbox's vision a bit. After managing to fund games like Kunitsu-Gami, Ninja Gaiden 4, and reportedly picking up the phone to talk about Ori 3, Xbox appears to be driving all of their capital into making the unlikely games actually exist. If Xbox's future as a third party publisher is looking like this, it means that excellent games are enroute and that is a win for everyone. Do the Dukes agree?! Perhaps. You're going to have to listen to find out, obviously. Nerd. Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:18:21 - Sony Interactive Entertainment announces that they are appointing Hideaki Nishino as President and CEO 0:34:57 - Ninja Gaiden 4 was in talks 6-7 years ago 0:42:35 - Gears Of War E-Day in 2025? 0:50:39 - The Gears Of War Judgment developer is back on Gears! 0:57:36 - Ori 3 is happening? 1:10:27 - DOOM: The Dark Ages is strictly single player 1:12:47 - Some updates on future Halo projects 1:25:42 - MLB The Show 25 is not coming to Xbox Game Pass 1:31:38 - BioWare is dramatically shrinking down 1:48:14 - Ubisoft is making cuts 1:49:18 - Split Fiction has officially gone gold 1:49:57 - Warner Bros Gaming division will have a new president 1:53:48 - What We’re Playing 2:22:26 - Xbox’s bold risk from 2024 is finally paying off 2:27:48 - Destin Legarie’s Phil Spencer interview 2:54:56 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The January Developer Direct has come and gone! With it, Xbox has finally achieved what many fans have desperately sought out for them to do since this generation started back in 2020: Have consistent releases in the front half of the year. Indeed, you'll be getting three major games from them between April 8th and May 15th on Game Pass. Those titles are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, South Of Midnight, and DOOM: The Dark Ages. That's not all as the mysterious fourth (fifth?) showing is a strong return for Ninja Gaiden. A fourth entry is real and inbound for Fall of this year. Today, you can play Ninja Gaiden 2 Black which aims to straighten out problems over a decade old. With the return of 2D and 3D Ninja Gaiden, it truly is "The Year Of The Ninja" and the Dukes couldn't be happier about it. Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:23:52 - Xbox Financials 0:36:25 - PlayStation’s live service initiative is a failure 1:18:07 - Extas1s has shared more games leaving Xbox 1:25:41 - Respawn’s upcoming Star Wars RTS game reveal soon 1:30:23 - Dragon Age Veilguard director leaves BioWare 1:39:25 - Hollow Knight Silksong is still real 1:41:40 - EA Origin is shutting down 1:42:34 - Some new sales numbers 1:43:55 - What We’re Playing 2:01:28 - Xbox Developer Direct 2:59:33 - BioWare Sales Update 3:12:19 - Indiana Jones sales 3:19:12 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass 3:24:11 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As expected, the Xbox Developer_Direct is set to arrive soon and it will boast four games. Those titles are South Of Midnight, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and a mysterious fourth game that's rumored to be from a "legendary Japanese IP." Naturally, the Dukes have many guesses about that, but also if there will the be usual fifth game that shows up like it has since Developer Direct became a thing. We won't have to wait long to find out. What we'll need to wait a while for is if Xbox will survive beyond 2030. No, that's not hyperbole. Outlet The Information reports that the Xbox business was set to shutdown in 2021 unless Game Pass subscriptions went up. What the rest of the write-up depicts are spooky times for the Green Team as it seems more and more like these moves by Xbox are more for survivability. Oblivion Remake continues to be a horribly kept secret, so we get into some new gameplay details on that, and also into what's going on with Ubisoft as Assassin's Creed Shadows sees another delay. You can get all of that, plus your weekly throat coat, all here on Defining Duke! Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro 0:26:02 - Bombshell report on Xbox’s financials 0:53:47 - Final Fantasy 7 to Xbox 0:55:34 - Marvel Rivals revenue on Xbox 0:58:50 - Unannounced Bethesda game listed on a French retailer 1:08:20 - Why Starfield did not have gore and dismemberment 1:11:10 - Assassin’s Creed: Shadows delayed to March 20th 1:21:52 - Larian Studios goes dark 1:22:29 - Blood Of Dawnwalker reveal 1:24:08 - Godfall developer Counterplay has reportedly shut down 1:26:32 - Smite 2 goes free to play 1:31:33 - What We’re Playing 1:56:00 - Avowed gut-check 2:04:06 - Game reveal nerves 2:25:32 - Xbox Developer Direct 2:50:48 - Xbox shipping games on PlayStation and Switch 3:10:49 - Oblivion Remake gameplay details 3:37:01 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices