Topic: Official Push Square Xbox Thread

@Sam_ATLUS I guess it depends on your perspective, situation etc but the general idea of Game Pass is that 'every month' for a 'small' fee, you get access to some big Day1 releases as well as access to a curated list of games spanning over 20yrs of gaming. This month, for example, R6: Extraction is 'free' a $40 game for essentially $10 but also get Hitman Trilogy, The Anacrusis ($25 in Early Access), some other indies and, if you subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate, which includes Games with Gold and EA:Play, you also get Mass Effect: Legendary.

Basically, the Game Pass model is about offering 'great' games Day1 every month. That's to 'encourage' you to subscribe and then keep you subscribed for next month. MS ideally need at least 12 big games that 'people' want to play to get them in to Game Pass and keep them Subscribed. Which considering the cost of games - even an indie costs $20+ these days - can save the 'consumer' a lot of money. If you buy 3 'PS5' exclusives a year, that's $210 but for $120 you could of played MLB21, Outriders, MSFS, Psychonauts 2, FH5, B4B, Hades, Halo, Aliens: Fireteam, Medium etc in 2021 and R6:Extraction, Starfield, Stalker2, Plague Tale, Warhammer:Darktide, Scorn, Redfall and whatever else comes to Game Pass in 2022 - far more games you can play for your money so the 'value' is 'unrivalled'

As I said, it does depend on the person of course. If you have 'little' time to game and would rather buy the few new games a year and/or 'happy' to scour the sales/bargains to play games that are no longer $60+, then spending $10 a month maybe isn't worth it. Especially if you also have a 'huge' backlog to play. That $120 a year can buy a few games you really want with no 'conditions' (like PS+/Gold & Game Pass games have - remain Subscribed to keep playing) so if you don't play a 'lot', then its 'value' is reduced. That's $120 you have spent out and, if you stop, you have 'nothing' - apart from the time, memories and experiences that $120 may not of allowed you to have otherwise. That could be '2 or 3' games you could have instead so its certainly about individual perspectives - own a couple of games that no doubt will drop in value or potentially have a LOT more experiences for your money (depending again on the person because they may not have 'time' to game a LOT)

But for a lot of Game Pass subscribers, the value is often what brings them in. Its great with 'social' gamers too as everyone of your friends on Game Pass has access to the same games so easier to find games you all have to play together and as they are 'free', everyone can download and play together. It also allows you to try games that you were on the fence about, games you wouldn't normally buy. Not sure if the Artful Escape, Hades or Death's Door are your thing, not paying $20+ to find out, try them free and decide. Game Pass Ultimate includes PC/Mobile Game Pass too so you can play all those games on 'any' device and your progress is saved - no need to buy multiple versions and your progress is carried over too. It also allows 'streaming' to any supported device. On my Series X, I use streaming to play some little indies without having to wait to download to play or play on my laptop which isn't built for 'gaming'.

At the end of the day, its a bit like being given the Choice to keep buying Movies/Music on Bluray/Vinyl or subbing to a service where you can watch/listen anywhere (not just on your Bluray/Record player) and not just that Film/Album, but hundreds of other Films/Albums you can watch/listen too as well. When the 'next' movie/album releases you want, that's free to watch/listen to anywhere or you can 'pre-order/buy' the new Bluray/Vinyl to play on that '1' device it works on.

As indicated, Each to their own. It may not suit you, your 'ideals' or circumstance but in terms of 'value', $10 a month for $100's of new Day 1 releases, let alone all the 'older' games on there, is great value. To play R6: Extraction (maybe not your 'ideal' game, nor mine) on PS5/Xbox is $40 but $10 on Game Pass (maybe even $1 for your first month) but the month before had Halo, month before FH5. On just these past 3months, you've saved money as a year of Game Pass is $120, yet those 3 games would of cost $160 - add in all the other 'little' releases- the Gunk, Aliens: Fireteam, Hitman:Trilogy etc also and that 'value' keeps 'rising'.

@RogerRoger Thanks. It sounds like it could be nuts after just reading the Overview for Split/Second.

Never really knew it until I looked them up now, but probably a big reason why it never got a remaster or anything is because Disney closed the studio down in 2011. A shame since they had some pretty good racing games, mainly motorcycle ones like the Moto GP series and Pure. Anyways, even if it did get a free remaster, it would have had to be Xbox doing it themselves like they did with some Xbox One X enhancements last gen (something PlayStation only did for their own games).

@RogerRoger It's been awhile since I played it so you are probably right. I am a big fan of the franchise and your right there's not to many good games so maybe I overlooked the flaws on that one.

Speaking of Lego Jurassic Park did anyone play Lego Demensions?

@Tasuki I wish I’d got Lego Dimensions at the time. I really really want the Doctor Who expansion but it’s a mess trying to get that game these days.

@nessisonett Yeah Lego Dimensions was great but trying to get all sets was a bit much. I started it towards the end when everywhere was discounting the sets, I even managed to get a few sets at a local dollar store for $1.

In theory it was a cool idea and the game was actually pretty fun and well done. I wouldn't be against them releasing it again minus all the sets though just have all the levels and such as DLC.

I actually enjoyed a number of the Lego games too.

Those based on films (Indiana, Pirates, Harry Potter etc) are typical of the series in that you get the 'Lego' take on the same story beats of the films so if you enjoyed those movies and the 'typical' Lego experience, then certainly are worth picking up.

The first Indiana had the 'Trilogy' of films and being an 'early' game was certainly more 'basic' than the latter games with 'fewer' different skills characters could possess. When you get to the more recent 'Super-hero' games with flight, lasers, super sized strength etc required to unlock areas in 'free-play', the older ones seem more limited but that same 'general' game-play loop hasn't really changed too much. Most of the changes over the years seem to be more iterative (more ambitious, more character types, larger maps, adding vocals etc and more 'creative' as they made their own stories rather than adapting a movie but if you like the 'charm' of Lego and especially if you enjoyed the franchises (Star Wars, Indy, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Marvel, DC etc) then they are all worth buying, but if you are only used to 'newer' games, the older ones may seem a bit more limited in scope but that Lego Humour and Charm is still present...

MLB22 free on Game Pass again this year...

https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/01/sonys-mlb-the-show-22-l...

Great interview with Tim Schafer (Double Fine) which also talks about the MS acquisition, what its 'meant' to Double Fine and how they are 'operating' and allowing their studios creative freedom, supporting them to realise their ambition.

I thought Crossfire X's trailers looked good and I was excited to see what Remedy could do for an FPS single player campaign but... I haven't seen a single positive opinion about it yet :/

@Voltan Same here. It's a shame it seems like it sucks (so far at least). It's as if it's only made by Remedy in name only, putting nobody that worked on Control on it. Obviously I have nothing to back that up with, but you would think it would have at least been decent.

@Voltan Seems like its a very generic FPS. Its as if they expect the 'name' to sell - which considering CrossFire is the most played video game worldwide, with 6 million concurrent users and 1 billion registered players in February 2020, according to developer Smilegate, maybe they felt they had to make a 'token' campaign.

Well at least you can 'try' it (or 1 part of it) without 'wasting' any extra money on it...

@BAMozzy thing is, apparently the multiplayer is pretty bad too

… and right there, you have crystallised the attitude that many of us are concerned about in terms of how Gamepass could eventually go on to negatively effect the quality level of games being produced in future. It has created an excuses culture in regards to how poor games are received… and where excuses are considered acceptable, a lot of people including myself believe that overall quality will ultimately drop.

@colonelkilgore Well that's down to the Publisher and whether they want more playing on game pass or buying elsewhere. Publishers will inevitably try and put games out that are going to 'fail' on a commercial or community (as online players are necessary to a 'good launch') basis so depends which is more important to them.

That's not the fault of MS or Game Pass because MS NEED great Games and have delivered - Psychonauts 2, Deathloop, MSFS, FH5, H:I, SoT. If MS doesn't have Great Games, regardless of what other publishers want/need and/or do, then People won't subscribe - they won't play 'bad' games from other publishers whether they are on game pass or not. Some people may want a 'generic' CoD 360 era like campaign to play for 'free' when its not worth 'buying' but games like that are hoping you like it so get hooked into buying Mission 2.

When it comes to Subscription services. whether its Game Pass, Spartacus or whatever, they are ALL reliant on the strength of their First Party content because ultimately, those other publishers are either looking for 'high' numbers (so no price barrier to worry about but probably some long term monetisation plan) or for Commercial Sales so not going on a Subscription service until sales are exhausted and they have 'monetisation' options for their PUBLISHER. Game Pass first Party games are the games that will sell you on ANY subscription service because those other Publisher games will be available anywhere they 'can' and haven't been coerced into platform exclusivity.

If CrossfireX fails, that's a fail on Remedy and on Smilegate as the Publisher too, not the Game Pass model. The Game Pass model is still like a Virtual Console ecosystem with other Publishers either thinking they'll benefit more long term by the Subscription model or Sales for launch. For them to be successful, they no doubt need a 'great' game too so get more people playing and build a big community fast or they know its going to be a 'hit' and sell well, hold its price well, then it makes more sense to go the 'Sales' ONLY route where possible so again need great games.

Whether they are on Console or a Sub service, the Platform has to deliver its own GREAT first party content to make you want to 'join' - whether the entry price is a $500 console or whatever device you have for gaming and a Subscription. Without their own GREAT games, no one Subscribes, buys their device etc, they go where the 'great games' are and play all the other 'publishers' games they want to as well.

In an 'all' subscription future, its still the same principal - 'first party content' because the other publishers will want their content everywhere - so sign up to the Subscription service with the best first party content. Those 'games' still have to sell 'Hardware' right now because that's still the better way to play right now, being able to download and play locally is better, so the principal's the same.

In the future, other Publishers are going to have to compete with the 'first' party games for your time, not your cash. They are going to want to 'release' everywhere where EVERY first Party game is not only competing for your time, they are trying to be the ''best' games, otherwise you'll go and sub to Sony, Nintendo, whoever and have the opportunity to play 'bad' games from other Publishers too...

However you look at it, Games are competing for your time. You want to be where the 'best' games are because the 'rest' are available elsewhere. That was true of the whole of the PS vs Xbox era - go where the 'best' first party games are (to quantify best, I mean best for 'you' as a gamer) because the rest you can play anyway. Same will happen with subscription services - the First Party will determine which service you want to Sub to because it has the 'best' games, and the other Publishers will all be looking at long term funding in their games because their 'sales' have basically dropped off completely so need to have a big appeal to keep people invested before the next 'big' first party game comes out...

@Voltan I thought it was a huge game in Asian markets (predominantly China) but only because other options for FPS aren't available (China) or because valve charged Internet cafes additional monthly rates for games like TF2 (South Korea). I've saw a clip of some multiplayer gameplay, looks pretty grim.

100% right… if it turns out to go the way that many are concerned that it will… it’ll be the fault of the zealots who are ‘fine’ with games being absolute rot as they’re essentially ‘free’.

@colonelkilgore Long term, it still hurts the publisher because they wont get the long term player retention they want/need for their game to succeed, for their long term financial plan to be successful.

First Party games still need to be GREAT games that people WANT to play so are willing to 'buy' a console and/or Subscribe. If other publishers are ALL competing for your time (as they are) whether they put them into Game Pass as well as try to sell it, or only release with a $70 price tag, they are still 'competing' for your time. Rot games will 'rot' because people will be playing GREAT games - you can actually decide for yourself at NO charge, whether the game is 'worthy' of your time with Game Pass instead of whether a game was 'worthy' of the $70 price you had to pay to spend your time.

IF every game is available in a Subscription service, free of 'additional' charge, you are still going to join the service with the 'GREAT' games and decide which other 'publishers' games are worth your time - therefore GREAT games will continue to be made with the 'ROT' not getting high player numbers, not much critical acclaim to make people want to play, etc whilst the GREAT games are all contesting for players time....

@BAMozzy look, I’m well aware that this ship has already sailed in regards to the industry moving towards a subscription model… just have some standards man, it’d be good for everyone.