The first 60 Days of Asha Sharma's tenure has been MORE than eventful! News of an Xbox Game Pass price drop and removal of Day One Call Of Duty from the service has reverberated throughout the games industry. What does this unprecedented price drop mean for Game Pass, future tier integrations, and COD moving forward? Cog enlists the unique perspective of Ebontis to break down all these ramifications. Beyond that, a fun Asha Sharma vs Shawn Layden interaction "debate", bold statements from Jason Ronald on Project Helix, and a huge week of Xbox news!

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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
0:05:18 - Health Is Wealth
0:15:56 - warmups
0:21:38 - Jason Ronald shuts down 3rd-party Helix console rumors
0:30:37 - Starfield’s PS5 numbers are in
0:42:54 - Asha Sharma wants to chat with Shawn Layden
0:58:19 - Does Major Nelson want to go back to Xbox?
1:03:23 - Shuhei Yoshida reveals that Jim Ryan fired him
1:16:15 - Metro 2039 revealed
1:20:19 - Mass Effect showrunner denies rewrite reports
1:29:38 - Pragmata sells 1 million copies in 2 days
1:34:22 - Gears Of War movie update
1:39:05 - Former Halo executive and Xbox Film/TV lead has left Microsoft
1:42:38 - Elden Ring movie gets release window and casting details
1:45:55 - Xbox Unveils Forza Horizon 6 Controller And Headset
1:49:39 - What We’re Playing
2:46:40 - Xbox drops Game Pass price and Day 1 Call Of Duty from the service
3:19:41 - Halo Studios reportedly abandons battle royale?

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As the Asha Sharma regime begins to take shape, rumors of ending Day One Call Of Duty On Xbox Game Pass are heating up! In addition to Game Pass price drops, are exclusive Xbox games also back on the table? Thanks to recent discussions on The Xbox Two Podcast regarding these topics, Cog enlists Jez Corden and Rand Al Thor 19 to break these down further. Beyond that, another busy week of more Xbox Game Showcases, more Halo Studio drama, and how the release year of Xbox in 2026 is taking shape!

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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
0:05:12 - Warmup Up Questions
0:24:59 - Matt Booty Official Xbox Podcast Interview
0:35:51 - Xbox First Look: Metro 2039: New show format
0:55:19 - Halo Studios drama continues
1:23:13 - Playground Confirms Fable Delay Rumor Is False
1:35:50 - Diablo 4 Could Be Coming to Switch 2
1:43:51 - WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers Dev Team Dissolved
1:50:32 - What We’re Playing
2:26:31 - Xbox Having 'Very Big Discussions' About Exclusivity
3:18:11 - Xbox Considering Ending Day One Call of Duty on Game Pass & Lowering Price

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Remember the 2020 trailer for State Of Decay 3? Turns out, that trailer was greenlit when the game was just a Microsoft Word document. Indeed, the team was barely above a handful of people and yet it got a full on trailer! That's only the start of today's story which leads us into the start of a private alpha playtest for the game. Indeed, it appears that this game truly began its work sometime in 2023 at best. The Dukes have thoughts, but much of it leans into the 'glass half full mentality' thanks to an interview by Sunny Games. In this, we learn about State Of Decay 3's direction for its co-op mode, combat, base building, choice and consequence, and plenty more. Beyond that, it was a busy week for Xbox as we finally are seeing movement on the achievements from. Naturally, there's also Halo drama to get into because when isn't that a thing?

Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.
0:00:00 - Intro
0:20:31 - Game Pass refunds are dead?
0:21:41 - Xbox theme parks
0:25:12 - Halo Campaign Evolved release date leaks
0:41:20 - Xbox is finally updating achievements
0:56:29 - Mass Effect show being made for non-gamers
1:12:36 - Xbox continues to tinker with back compat
1:17:12 - Steam Deck 2 release date news
1:23:44 - What We’re Playing
2:19:49 - State Of Decay 3 has a pulse
2:55:35 - Halo Studios has more drama

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Once more, Xbox's summer showcase finds itself on the Sunday of Summer Games Fest weekend! It's there that they'll pull the lid off their 25th anniversary celebration with a deep dive on Gears Of War: E-Day alongside what will no doubt feature the likes of Fable, Halo, and plenty of other games. The Dukes find themselves mighty curious what Coalition has planned for Gears Of War this time around. Much like Halo, Gears Of War is known for its suite of modes that made it so dominant during the 360 days. Seeing how Halo Infinite struggled to ship with campaign, forge, and multiplayer attached, can Gears have a similar issue with its campaign, horde more, and multiplayer? Speaking of multiplayer, will this latest rendition appeal to the wall bouncers or the casuals? Furthermore, how far will the gameplay be taken from an innovation standpoint when this is the youngest we've ever seen Marcus and Dom? The questions are many, but the outcome is tantalizing as Developer Directs during the summer have established themselves as games where there is far more than usual to be shown off. All of our answers arrive on June 7th, but why not listen to the Dukes gab about this and much more until then, right?

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:11:17 - A new segment?
0:13:52 - Leak culture in video games
0:23:45 - Xbox Partner Preview recap
0:35:43 - Why Xbox killed their “This Is An Xbox” campaign
0:38:43 - Updates and rumors on Halo Campaign Evolved
0:49:54 - Bethesda shuts down Elder Scrolls Blades
0:54:50 - Crystal Dynamics is making a Lord Of The Rings game
1:07:31 - Eidos Montreal layoffs
1:19:15 - Disney interested in buying Epic Games
1:26:07 - Shift Up acquires Shinji Mikami’s studio
1:33:42 - Nintendo's 2026 schedule leaks
1:45:53 - What We're Playing
2:17:53 - Xbox Summer Showcase revealed

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As tradition dictates, we recorded a roughly four hour show during a relatively light news week. Turns out that there was much to be said about those select topics. The Dukes revisit the hotly debated DLSS 5 topic with fresh information from a new interview with Nvidia as well as comments from their own CEO. The AI rabbithole admittedly runs deep this week as we also get into the closure of Sora as well as Capcom's plans for generative AI. From one hot button topic to another, we discuss the recent layoffs happening at Epic Games. When an industry's top selling game in Battlefield and most popular live service in Fortnite can't avoid layoffs, who can? The dynamic duo dive into the sustainability of game development and why indie just seems like the place to be now. Top of the Dukes' list is the recent report on Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma. It is said that she is assessing how to make Game Pass more attractive and is considering a price reduction. She is also investigating package deals, such as one with Netflix, as a way to bolster the service. Can this be enough to help the service grow? Is it even worth chasing when the 100 million subscriber dream is dead? As the episode's length suggests, we have plenty to say, so stop reading and get to listening!

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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
0:14:53 - What games are we looking forward to?
0:24:42 - How can Copilot For Gaming navigate paying creators?
0:33:29 - Marathon sales update
0:52:49 - DLSS 5 updates
1:24:15 - OpenAI shuts down Sora
1:32:34 - Capcom on how they plan to use AI
1:44:06 - Epic Games layoffs
1:59:18 - Forza Horizon 6 PC requirements
2:02:19 - Minecraft Dungeons is getting a sequel
2:03:58 - Is Final Fantasy for old heads?
2:15:51 - Sony shuts down another studio
2:19:30 - Nintendo’s interesting digital pricing changes
2:22:49 - Dragon’s Dogma 2 DLC inbound?
2:36:40 - Sonic Frontiers Definitive Edition leaks
2:41:14 - What We’re Playing
3:20:51 - Xbox Game Pass price cuts incoming?
3:37:52 - Chris Charla interview on Xbox Helix SKUs

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After over a year of silence, Starfield's newest wave of content is here. The Dukes got to see things running behind the scenes and get a feel for Bethesda's new vision for the sci-fi RPG. It appears they're gearing up for more incremental updates rather than swinging in with a massive expansion pack each year. Between the Free Lanes update, Terran Armada, and the PlayStation 5 version, there's much for us to go over. Perhaps more of the hot button topic is what is transpiring within AI. This time, it arrives in the form of DLSS 5 and to say there was backlash would be an understatement. The sizzle reel that showed off this new technology on the likes of Starfield, Hogwarts Legacy, Resident Evil Requiem, and the like was openly mocked, reaching beyond the games industry. In fairness, some are hopeful that this technology could lead to better looking, cheaper games. Can it? Well, pull up a chair, friend. We have much to discuss.

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:09:41 - Remembering Camelworks
0:25:13 - What will happen to Series X/S versions of games?
0:29:19 - Jeff Kaplan tells you to shut up if you haven’t played a game
0:43:22 - TMNT x Magic The Gathering
0:49:04 - Xbox backwards compatibility rumors swirling
0:54:07 - This is an Xbox campaign being retired
1:02:11 - Gaming Copilot is coming to Xbox
1:17:57 - PC revenue will overtake consoles by 2028?
1:30:37 - LEGO Batman’s release date has moved up
1:36:01 - Cyberpunk 2077 has no plans for new DLC
1:38:50 - Exodus gameplay first look
1:42:48 - Resident Evil Requiem sales update
1:45:19 - Bravely Default shadow drops on Xbox
1:49:27 - Marvel Maximum Collection gets a release date
1:51:36 - PSSR 2.0 update
1:57:54 - PlayStation Portal update
2:02:48 - Switch 2 gets shocking upgrade
2:06:13 - What We’re Playing
2:24:45 - DLSS 5.0 revealed
3:24:06 - Starfield DLC & PS5 Release

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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 - Intro
0:08:31 - What We’re Playing
0:39:55 - Xbox reveals Project Helix
1:13:45 - Satya Nadella renews his vows with Xbox
1:34:41 - 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 - Intro
0:07:52 - What are we excited about in video games?
0:16:32 - We came so close to a Fallout remaster
0:22:06 - Highguard is officially shutting down
0:34:34 - Nacon is in trouble
0:38:44 - What is happening to WB Games?
0:48:05 - DOOM: The Dark Ages DLC is like a sequel
0:52:38 - Halo MCC gets a surprise update
0:56:13 - A look into Assassin’s Creed’s future
1:03:44 - Bloodborne Remake was almost real
1:22:35 - Pokemon Winds & Waves revealed
1:33:20 - AI game reviews are trickling in
1:51:09 - What We’re Playing
2:56:09 - 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 Playing
0:35:06  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 - Intro
0:14:22 - A reminder to play Lies Of P
0:21:44 - Defining Books
0:27:54 - Checking on Matty’s wardrobe
0:38:19 - What old game would we give DLC to?
0:42:42 - Gabbing about the latest State Of Play
1:07:24 - Steam reviews include PC specs now
1:09:52 - Highguard was “secretly funded” by Tencent
1:20:13 - Do PlayStation exclusives still matter?
1:37:00 - PS6 delayed to 2028 and beyond
1:51:32 - No MTX in Crimson Desert
1:58:22 - Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 dev speaks on multiplatform push
2:04:07 - A new .Hack game was announced
2:06:14 - What We’re Playing
2:36:16 - 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 - Intro
0:02:33 - Health is wealth
0:04:58 - Lies Of P reminder
0:08:39 - A write in section
0:10:40 - Checking in on Brad’s Trails progress
0:17:55 - Book check
0:21:57 - Greedfall vibe check
0:30:17 - Have we played Resident Evil Outbreak?
0:36:27 - Valve breaks silence on the Steam Machine
0:50:31 - Is it safe to lock in GTA 6 for this fall?
0:58:48 - Diablo 2 DLC in 2026
1:05:48 - The absolutely insane Mindseye drama
1:13:59 - Obsidian says it took over 5 years for people to like New Vegas
1:23:29 - Yakuza Kiwami 3 is the final Kiwami game
1:28:31 - Resident Evil Requiem’s game length
1:35:46 - Highguard team suffers layoffs
1:42:59 - 2XKO layoffs
1:51:57 - What We’re Playing
2:21:23 - Xbox’s 2026 release schedule leaked
2:45:28 - Next gen Xbox details leaked

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