Defining Duke: An Xbox Podcast

As the "Curse of the Dukes" continues, we have another massive reveal that occurred so quickly after our latest episode of the show was produced. In the last week, we've learned a lot about Xbox's direction for their future and, to their credit, they're being incredibly direct about it. Introducing Project Helix: the codename for Xbox's next bit of hardware that is capable of playing your PC and console games. Following the announcement, they revealed a chockful of information on their plans at this year's Game Developer Conference. "Xbox Full Screen Experience" has evolved into "Xbox Mode" and that arrives on PC in April. After months of testing on the Xbox Ally, Xbox deems this feature ready for the big leagues. As for the next Xbox itself, alpha versions of the hardware will be out by early 2027 for developers. Is it possible we also see a retail release by holiday 2027? Best of all, there is a tease of more to come with Xbox's backwards compatibility program which has lied dormant for years. Is it possible they have additions in store or maybe (just maybe) achievements being added to classic games? Will these classic games be native to the platform or just streamed? Indeed, there are many questions surrounding the brand, but the wind is blowing in a positive direction for them and that's mostly due to seemingly having their ducks in a row on just how they wanted to communicate what their plans actually are.

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

0:00:00 - Intro0:08:31 - What We’re Playing0:39:55 - Xbox reveals Project Helix1:13:45 - Satya Nadella renews his vows with Xbox1:34:41 - Opening platform to game developers
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Many have said that you can't put the genie back in the lamp, but PlayStation begs to differ. After years of flirting with PC releases (many of which were delayed after the game's initial launch), Sony's gaming group is erecting the walled garden. Naturally, some Xbox fans are looking over at these moves and wondering if the new leadership regime at Xbox can pull off a similar feat. Have these platform holders been running from their fate all along? Can Xbox even dream of undoing all their years of work on damaging their brand? The Dukes sound off on a topic that we imagine will cycle around for a while yet.

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:07:52 - What are we excited about in video games?0:16:32 - We came so close to a Fallout remaster0:22:06 - Highguard is officially shutting down0:34:34 - Nacon is in trouble0:38:44 - What is happening to WB Games?0:48:05 - DOOM: The Dark Ages DLC is like a sequel0:52:38 - Halo MCC gets a surprise update0:56:13 - A look into Assassin’s Creed’s future1:03:44 - Bloodborne Remake was almost real1:22:35 - Pokemon Winds & Waves revealed1:33:20 - AI game reviews are trickling in1:51:09 - What We’re Playing2:56:09 - PlayStation is mostly walking away from PC
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The winds of change are blowing through Xbox! Two of their three leaders that have guided the entire Series generation in Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond are out. Staying is Matt Booty, who was also promoted (!), and joining as the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming is Asha Sharma. Despite Sarah Bond seemingly being groomed as Phil's successor, Asha steps in with a background that touts her as President of Microsoft's CoreAI alongside time spent at Instacart and Meta as an executive leader. Similarly to when Phil inherited the mess from Don Mattrick, Asha has her work cut out for her. Joining the Dukes is none other than the man to blame for all this nonsense, Brad Ellis. Together, the trio comb through the initial Microsoft blog post that broke the news. From there, we dig into an article by Tom Warren of The Verge who lays the blame of many of Xbox's shortcomings at the feet of Sarah Bond. Like many in our audience asked, we discuss if this is a hit piece, the truth, or somewhere in between. Lastly, Asha Sharma and Matt Booty sat down to chat with Jez Corden about the new lay of the land for Xbox. There are some answers and many questionable non-answers that lead to conversations of their own. Together, let's unpack what is a seismic change for Xbox as the brand continues to feel like it's hanging on by a thread.

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:06:36 - What We’re Playing0:35:06  Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond depart from Xbox
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It's the Todd Howard show this week! In a mega interview, we have plenty of juicy information to pick through. How are things going with Elder Scrolls VI and what's the direction for that game? What's going on with Creation Engine 3? Are there any new Fallout games enroute? How are things hanging after the TV show? The questions are many, but the answers are far more tantalizing!

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

0:00:00 - Intro0:14:22 - A reminder to play Lies Of P0:21:44 - Defining Books0:27:54 - Checking on Matty’s wardrobe0:38:19 - What old game would we give DLC to?0:42:42 - Gabbing about the latest State Of Play1:07:24 - Steam reviews include PC specs now1:09:52 - Highguard was “secretly funded” by Tencent1:20:13 - Do PlayStation exclusives still matter?1:37:00 - PS6 delayed to 2028 and beyond1:51:32 - No MTX in Crimson Desert1:58:22 - Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 dev speaks on multiplatform push2:04:07 - A new .Hack game was announced2:06:14 - What We’re Playing2:36:16 - Todd Howard interview
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As Grand Theft Auto VI begins to lock in its November 19th release date, we're already started to see publishers scramble with their release plans. A recent report out of The Verge firms up that Xbox, like much of this industry, will be attempting to evade the blast zone. As such, they are moving some games up and there's a chance others fall out of the year. Joining Matty this week is Last Stand's own Brad Ellis to talk about everything from Halo Campaign Evolved to Gears Of War: E-Day as we debate and discuss the respective windows of these games. The main question that lingers in our head is if Xbox is avoiding Grand Theft Auto, does that leave December as an option? If not, can all of their 2026 calendar make it out in the anniversary year or would it be best to delay some games into early 2027 for additional polish and breathing room?

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

0:00:00 - Intro0:02:33 - Health is wealth0:04:58 - Lies Of P reminder0:08:39 - A write in section0:10:40 - Checking in on Brad’s Trails progress0:17:55 - Book check0:21:57 - Greedfall vibe check0:30:17 - Have we played Resident Evil Outbreak?0:36:27 - Valve breaks silence on the Steam Machine0:50:31 - Is it safe to lock in GTA 6 for this fall?0:58:48 - Diablo 2 DLC in 20261:05:48 - The absolutely insane Mindseye drama1:13:59 - Obsidian says it took over 5 years for people to like New Vegas1:23:29 - Yakuza Kiwami 3 is the final Kiwami game1:28:31 - Resident Evil Requiem’s game length1:35:46 - Highguard team suffers layoffs1:42:59 - 2XKO layoffs1:51:57 - What We’re Playing2:21:23 - Xbox’s 2026 release schedule leaked2:45:28 - Next gen Xbox details leaked
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