205: Xbox talks Call of Duty exclusivity and app store rules, Scalebound REVIVED?

Jez and Rand get into it with another Xbox Two Podcast! This week, we discuss the reactions to the Xbox Partner Showcase, we talk Blizzcon rumors and speculation, discuss Xbox's big re-org, as well as layoffs and firings going on at PlayStation.  SPONSOR: Get 20% OFF EVERYTHING at MANSCAPED.com with our checkout code XB2! Boxers, razors, cologne, beard products, and MORE! GO AD FREE: Join us on Patreon.com/XB2 to go ad-free and get exclusive access to extra shows, and guaranteed Q&As! TIMESTAMPS:  00:00:00: Intro. 00:20:00: Xbox Series S price hike in Brazil, Blizzcon schedule, GOTY nominations. 01:30:00: Xbox budget increases, Alan Wake 2 impressions, Xbox partner preview, Satya interview. 02:10:00: Xbox leadership restructured, Doug Bowser on Xbox acquisition. 02:33:00: PlayStation layoffs and firings, Spider-Man 2 thoughts. 03:02:00: Patreon Q&As. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Loka 20233h 52min

Jez and Rand are joined by Gen-Z's favorite Xbox YouTuber MrMattyPlays to get some insights into the future of Xbox, ABK, Bethesda, and more! Aired first exclusively on Patreon.com/XB2 on October 17, 2023. Follow MrMattPlays on Twitter and on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 Loka 20232h 1min

Jez and Rand get into another beefy Xbox Two Podcast! This week, we discuss Xbox and ABK's bright future together, Xbox's marketing ramp up for the holidays, Starfield's big success story, and Halo Infinite's resurgence?! SPONSOR: Get 20% OFF and FREE worldwide shipping at http://MANSCAPED.com with our code XB2. Razors, boxers, cologne, and TONS of epic gifts for this holiday! #ad Go AD FREE on Patreon: http://www.PATREON.com/XB2 and get two extra monthly guest shows early, and more! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00: Intro. 00:35:00: Mid-gen Xbox, skill-based matchmaking, leveraging ABK. 00:58:00: Blizzcon discussion, Odyssey gameplay? Phil Spencer interview. Xbox marketing ramp up. 01:40:00: Halo Infinite revival. Starfield success. 02:30:00: Phil Spencer discussion, Pete Hines leaves Bethesda. 03:00:00: Patreon Q&A! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Loka 20233h 54min

Aired originally exclusively on Patreon.com/XB2 on October 10, 2023. Jez and Rand gear up for the latest XB2+1 guest show for the Xbox Two Podcast, joined by Digital Foundry's insightful editor John Linneman. In this ep, we discuss the future of Xbox, digital vs. physical, the state of the games industry, John's history, and much, much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Loka 20231h 26min

It's time for a celebratory Xbox Two Podcast! Finally, after 22 months of regulatory battles, Microsoft has closed and finalized its deal for Activision-Blizzard. We discuss what all of this could mean, with guest appearances from Colt Eastwood and Shpeshal Nick. SPONSOR: Get 15% OFF with our code XB2 at Valari.gg, gaming pillows that your back will THANK you for: https://glnk.io/8l99j/xb215 #ad Go ad-free and support us on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/XB2 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00: LIVE. 00:12:00: Xbox ACQUIRES Activision. 01:15:00: Xbox's next acquisition? 01:45:00: Activision games to Xbox Game Pass, Colt Eastwood joins the battle. 02:20:00: Shpeshal Nick joins the battle to discuss the future. 02:30:00: PS5 Slim, Xbox mid-gen upgrades? 03:00:00: Patreon Q&A. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Loka 20233h 57min

Jez and Rand talk the latest Xbox news in this week's XB2 show. We discuss the reports that Xbox will close the ABK deal on Jez's birthday?! Redfall finally gets updated to 60 FPS, Rand offers some thoughts on Forza Motorsport, and much more. 🎧 SPONSOR: Grab RAYCON EARBUDS at 20 to 40% off with code BIRTHDAY at http://buyRaycon.com/XB2 !! #ad 🎧 💚 Join us on Patreon! Ad-free shows, two exclusive podcasts per month, guaranteed Q&As, and more! http://patreon.com/XB2 💚 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00: Intro 00:12:00: What we've been playing (Forza, Darktide, and more) 01:15:00: Indie GOTY and Contraband thoughts. 01:30:00: Gears 6 speculation and rumors. Xbox's "super hero" game. 02:00:00: ABK approval next week? Game industry problems. Xbox and Sega. 02:35:00: Redfall patched, length vs. value in games. 02:55:00: Patreon Q&A: Jez's celebrity encounter, top 5 games of the year, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Loka 20233h 51min

Jez is BACK from Iceland and hanging out with Rand_Al_Thor_19, the man with the 100K subscribers! This week, we recap last week's insane news cycle, from the wild Xbox leaks, to Phil's emails, and more. We talk PlayStation's Jim Ryan leaving and the future of the industry in general, and much more. SPONSOR: Get 20% OFF at MANSCAPED.COM with our checkout code XB2. Boxers, razors, shavers, cologne, and MORE! PATREON: Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, guaranteed Q&As, and more! http://patreon.com/XB2 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00: Intro! 00:28:00: KOTOR killed? Embracer issues. 00:44:00: Next-gen Xbox architecture, Starfield vs. BG3 vs. Cyberpunk. 01:38:00: Kamiya leaves Platinum, Capcom doesn't want to be acquired. 01:44:00: Xbox leaks, Phil "wants" Nintendo, Xbox heads to Japan. 02:53:00: Jim Ryan leaves PlayStation, and the future of gaming. 03:15:00: Closing and Patreon Q&A. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Syys 20233h 53min

Join Rand, Colt Eastwood, and Lord Cognito to discuss one of the biggest weeks of Xbox news so far this year! JEZ sure picked a good week for a vacation huh? (Timestamps will come a bit later cuz it's super hard uploading and formatting the show on my phone. If you need them sooner they're up on Rand's YouTube!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Syys 20233h 55min