Defining Duke: An Xbox Podcast

In a quieter week for Xbox, we deliver to you our longest episode in show history. Don't say we never spoil you!

Timestamps:

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

0:00 - Intro8:25 - Health Is Wealth1:17:30 - Nickname ideas for the Dukes1:21:02 - We might have a Helix handheld nickname issue1:25:53 - Xbox’s 25th anniversary is soon1:31:44 - Why do canceled games almost always look great?1:38:13 - Phantom Blade Zero reviews are in1:40:49 - So, your future GOAT game used AI…1:55:06 - Why does developers flocking to Fallout generate excitement?2:04:10 - Xbox overextends in missed Netflix deal2:18:34 - Arkane Lyon’s leash gets extended2:28:38 - Original Xbox games seem to be getting achievements soon2:34:35 - Call Of Duty is losing momentum2:45:23 - Inside Xbox’s COO exiting the company3:01:20 - Xbox is working on their review situation3:13:28 - Microsoft offers 60,000 buyouts3:23:59 - The Gears Of War: E-Day budget situation3:46:31 - Xbox execs are missing performance targets3:51:25 - The financials are in for Xbox4:06:40 - Mass Effect rally continues on4:42:43 - What We’re Playing5:19:09 - Wrapping up
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 hour Duke? Happy days!

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

0:00:00 - Intro0:05:17 - Health Is Wealth0:43:37 - Nicknaming The Dukes0:46:23 - Disc to digital benefits0:48:41 - Is Xbox moving too fast?0:54:03 - When are more retro Xbox games getting achievement and PC support?0:56:23 - What is the rest of 2026 gaming schedule looking like?1:01:10 - Fallout Day 20261:06:45 -Xbox hasn’t forgotten physical media1:20:23 - Xbox buyout was explored1:39:32 - Xbox Cloud Gaming prices revealed1:44:58 - AMD FSR 4.1 is coming to Xbox consoles and handhelds1:50:14 - BioWare is shutting down2:40:04 - A new sub franchise is headed to Call Of Duty2:43:04 - Nuance in the AI conversation?3:13:36 - Star Wars Battlefront 3 is on the menu3:31:47 - Another new update is coming to Cyberpunk 20773:35:46 - What We’re Playing4:10:06 - Massive investigation on Xbox reveals next gen pricing, changes to Game Pass, and plenty more
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blink and you might miss the new big thing Xbox is doing! Last week, it was XP. This is the home to Xbox's Products, Places, Partnerships, and Productions. Basically, where everything that is beyond the "box" goes. Sure, fine, that's a lot to talk about on its own. However, a wave of recomps, games running on browsers, and AI powered mods have led to yet another initiative to be stood up rather quickly. This time, it's Xbox Labs, and Xbox aims to take hold of the emerging "creator" space where they will sell new products. If that wasn't enough, a new survey leaked online and tells us that Xbox is looking at making literally everything exclusive outside of Call Of Duty. So, the Dukes heads are spinning to say the least. Let's chat through it all as we always do in what has become an incredibly unpredictable time for all of gaming.

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

0:00:00 - Intro0:08:32 - Health Is Wealth0:34:05 - Super Mario World slander0:38:36 - The last game mechanic to make you go “huh, that’s neat”0:46:20 - Xbox still wants new IP0:54:41 - Xbox announces the Nano controller1:01:04 - Gears Of War: E-Day sales estimates are in1:32:41 - Destiny 1 Remaster inbound?1:38:54 - Epic is making a full AI game2:17:46 - College Football is in jeopardy and Todd Howard is likely depressed to hear this2:26:34 - Physical games are doing just fine2:35:14 - More Silent Hill games inbound2:38:28 - Great news for Star Wars: Zero Company2:41:26 - What We’re Playing3:00:59 - Xbox Labs is the newest Xbox initiative to be announced3:27:26 - Xbox reveals XP3:53:08 - Major exclusives coming to Xbox?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The aggression of Asha Sharma and Xbox's new leadership group continues on! In a leaked town hall, we learned of many of Xbox's plans for the future including a "family" of devices for Helix, incoming changes to Game Pass, and the streamlining to how games reach the platform. One of the more noteworthy comments was Asha's insistence that Xbox has not "earned the right" to avert their gaze beyond the console platform. This is something clearly in staunch opposition to what the prior leadership team stood for as they explored everything from gaming through TV apps to the Cloud. With the focus on the current generation of consoles, what does this mean for games even in the 2030s? The Dukes think you should get very cozy with the idea of still playing games on these devices even up to a decade from now.

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

0:00:00 - Intro0:10:09 - Health Is Wealth0:28:54 - What game are we dropping everything for to obtain the Thic?0:39:53 - A licensed game that could finally get its due0:45:11 - What is next for Xbox Game Studios?0:55:13 - Gaming for spooky season0:59:26 - Fear of layoffs looming at The Coalition1:19:44 - The Forza Bros are getting upset1:30:48 - Rebs Gaming drops new Halo leaks1:49:08 - A used PS5 pro is $1,400 at GameStop2:03:29 - State Of Decay 3 Beta coming soon2:10:03 - Layoffs begin at Ninja Theory2:17:45 - Fan favorite PlayStation series set to make comeback?2:32:16 - Capcom looking to turn RE Engine into an AI Generation Engine2:41:28 - Kena: Scars Of Kosmora delayed to 20272:43:47 - What We’re Playing3:12:22 - Xbox Helix details leak from internal Town Hall
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy 300 to all our fellow Dukes! For those of you have stuck by our side through both personal and professional highs and lows, we're eternally grateful that you're here. To the surprise of some of you, the Dukes DO take a lot of time to reflect and celebrate. Beyond that, we get into the main attraction. Xbox's first console exclusive in years is here in Gears Of War: E-Day. Cog and Matty have played the campaign. Did it deliver? There's only one way for you to find out.

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

0:00:00 - Intro/Reminiscing on 300 episodes of Duke0:48:44 - Xbox Ally or Steam Deck?0:53:02 - Mythic Achievements are real1:09:00 - Xbox is NOT for sale1:23:21 - What’s happening inside Destiny 2’s unvaulting?1:34:52 - Unpacking the Physint budget drama1:51:07 - Satya Nadella says Xbox’s streamlining is great1:55:08 - Ex Bethesda dev says Starfield 2 is unlikely2:18:16 - Witcher 3 Remaster is setting records2:23:15 - Why Remedy didn’t use yellow paint in Control Resonant2:27:31 - PlayStation reportedly polling about physical games2:37:00 - Looking Ahead At Game Releases - October 20262:50:12 - What We’re Playing3:33:44 - Rebs Gaming’s inside report on Halo’s future
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices