Defining Duke: An Xbox Podcast

Everything from Forza Horizon 6 and Kiln to Beast Of Reincarnation and Fable was shown off here! While the other games made their own noise, the Dukes (including Gene Park) were most captured by Fable. Judging by the noise online, so were many, many other people. For the first time in a long time, it feels like Xbox has a broadly appealing hit on their hands. Playground Games showed off everything from combat and choices to the economic and social simulation elements that always made Fable such a joy to play. With this comes the new introduction of "Living Population" where 1,000 NPCs all have their own hobbies, schedules, voice actors, and conversations. This is all designed to bring to life the replacement for Fable's famous morality system in the form of a reputation system that is similar to what is seen in Fable 3. Are there any snags for the Dukes with these changes? What has us most hyped? It's time to dive into what is now one of the most anticipated games of 2026.

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:12:57 - Forza Horizon 6
0:20:04 - Beast Of Reincarnation
0:29:07 - Kiln
0:39:05 - Fable
1:30:56 - Ubisoft undergoes massive shakeup
1:43:10 - Fallout TV show thoughts so far
2:22:05 - What We're Playing

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After years of secrecy and many delays, Xbox is set to pull the lid off one of its most anticipated RPGs at the upcoming Developer Direct. First rumored in 2017 and announced in 2020, Fable has been baking at Playground Games, the prolific racing game studio, for a long, long time. Now, Xbox promises a deep dive on everything from combat and choice to British humor and chickens. Is it do or die time for Fable? How does its early year showing shake up the already packed summer showcase? Will we finally get a release date? Perhaps just a release year? Indeed, there are so many questions, but most of these will be announced very shortly!

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:06:26 - A time games did play for us
0:12:04 - The Rook speaks
0:14:41 - Baby Dukes on the way
0:18:04 - Motivating ourselves after work
0:24:22 - Would Matty interview Todd Howard again?
0:36:29 - Avowed is headed to PS5 with its biggest update yet
0:50:54 - Forza Bros collect their biggest win yet
0:59:50 - Hellblade 3 is the focus
1:10:16 - Towerborne releases February 26 for $25
1:16:55 - Masters Of Albion releases on April 22nd, 2026
1:21:39 - Crimson Desert’s map size debate
1:26:07 - Is ATLUS finally revealing Persona 6 this year?
1:32:43 - Division 3 will have as big an impact as Division 1
1:38:19 - Details on the secret Witcher 3 expansion
1:42:54 - Stellar Blade Boss speaks out on AI use case
1:47:59 - Meta closes several VR studios
1:58:44 - Everything we learned about Divinity in Larian AMA
2:19:46 - What We’re Playing
2:42:16 - Developer Direct confirmed for January 22nd

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Xbox didn't miss a beat to kick off the new year. In a scratch pad by Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, he spoke to how we need to accept AI as slop versus sophistication. As one would imagine, this had the adverse effect as "Microslop" began trending all over social media. The timing could be better as the rise of AI datacenters have caused a massive spikes in hardware prices. So much so that there are now reports that both Xbox and PlayStation may delay their upcoming hardware as a result. The question now becomes if a delayed Xbox system ever sees the light of day since it feels like 2027's new hardware was to be an offramp and the benefit of plans already being in motion. Time would tell, but for now, let's eat some "slop."

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

0:00:00 - Intro
00:05:37 - Holiday break updates
00:17:29 - Fallout season 2 thoughts
00:28:03 - The state of the Health Is Wealth grind
00:33:16 - Vince Zampella passes away at 55
00:49:02 - Bethesda wants to make a 600 hour Fallout game
00:58:11 - Xbox console sales are downright terrible
01:04:04 - A New Witcher 3 expansion in 2025?
01:11:44 - Clair Obscur dev on what’s next
01:18:39 - Sony patents AI playing games for you
01:26:32 - The Ubisoft Holiday Hack
01:29:41 - Update on Exodus leadership changes
01:39:46 - What We’re Playing
02:17:49 - What to expect from Xbox in 2026
02:43:21 - Next gen consoles are delayed?
02:55:51 - Satya Nadella says to stop calling AI “slop”
03:17:58 - Zenimax Lead Departs After Xbox Cancellation

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After 2025, it's safe to say the years of saying "next year is their year" are over for Xbox. When it comes to the prior 24 months, it has not gone according to the Duke's plans whatsoever. With that in mind, we have dared to look ahead in spite of all of that. The games, the unimaginable business decisions, and yes, even hardware. What is in store for this brand next year? Tons of surprises, no doubt, but just how many?

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Xbox has seen a lot of changes in the last two years and that's putting it lightly. Everything from a disconnect with their own base to price hikes galore has led to a near complete disenfranchisement with the brand. Today, the Dukes gather and do their best to scrounge up the positives in a relatively down year. What shined so brightly in 2025 for Xbox? Well, I'm glad you asked...

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As Lord Cognito long predicted, the AI conversation reached a breaking point online when people saw one of the industry's golden children announced that they'll be using generative AI for their game's development. That team is Larian Studios who is responsible for the Divinity franchise alongside the incredible Baldur's Gate 3. The CEO of Larian, Swen Vincke, said that it will be used for mostly pre-production stuff along the lines of whiteboxing or even company e-mails. However, he also let it slip that concept art ideation will be part of that process as an optional tool. Well, social media did not like this at all. It has turned into one of the most split topics to round out 2025. So, where do the Dukes stand? Matty, a longtime critic of AI's usage in development beyond a tool, happens to be a massive Larian fan. Does he bend the knee? What of Lord Cognito who always expected this? Does he blink at such a revelation? Perhaps, it's all overblown. There is a reality where we're years down the line and Larian is on a long list of developers who are all doing the same thing. Time shall tell, but let's chat about what we know for now.

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:06:25 - Health Is Wealth
0:26:41 - The Xbox Bowl
0:30:12 - Backlog games we want to play in 2026
0:35:09 - Games we missed during The Game Awards
0:38:23 - It’s actually Mega Man 12
0:43:23 - Clearing up some Warhammer nonsense
0:47:26 - Katsuhiro Harada leaves Bandai
0:55:58 - Elder Scrolls VI update
1:12:30 - John Romero’s Xbox game survived cancellation
1:14:55 - New Call Of Duty sub series inbound?
1:23:30 - Exodus gets new leadership
1:33:34 - Expedition 33 gets a new update
1:35:37 - Marathon gets a March 2026 release window
1:44:30 - Phantom Blade 0 is a timed PS5 exclusive
1:45:16 - Dead Island 3 is a long, long ways away
1:46:00 - Star Wars: Fate Of The Old Republic arrives before 2030
1:59:58 - Mega Man Star Force Collections arrives early 2026
2:00:41 - Resident Evil is about to be stacked for a few years
2:01:47 - Updates on Persona 6
2:06:24 - What We’re Playing
2:27:04 - Larian Studios is using generative AI
3:19:35 - Forza Motorsport is done
3:23:10 - Xbox teases Developer Direct

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Star Wars: Fate Of The Old Republic.

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:35 - Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic
0:15:50 - Pragmata Release Date
0:17:26 - New Divinity Game
0:23:50 - Coven of the Chicken Foot
0:25:26 - Ontos
0:27:00 - 4:LOOP
0:29:23 - Order Of The Sinking Star
0:30:52 - South of Midnight gets PS5 and Switch 2 reveal
0:33:50 - Exodus
0:39:34 - Control Resonant
0:41:42 - Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight
0:43:48 - Tomb Raider
0:47:37 - Saros Delayed
0:49:42 - Star Wars: Galactic Racer
0:52:04 - Award winners
1:08:25 - Resident Evil Requiem
1:12:03 - Gang of Dragon
1:20:02 - Invincible VS Release Date
1:22:17 - Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred
1:23:59 - Total War: Warhammer 40,000
1:27:37 - Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve
1:32:31 - Phantom Blade Zero Release Date
1:35:41 - Mega Man Dual Override
1:42:48 - Highguard
1:56:29 - Wrap Up

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Despite any gripes with Xbox this year, there's no denying that 2026 presents a fun challenge for them. Fable, Forza Horizon 6, Halo, and Gears Of War E-Day are all slated to drop next year. However, a new wrinkle has been introduced in the ambitious RPG, Clockwork Revolution, which hails from inXile Entertainment. After a seven minute trailer from this summer's showcase, we felt this thing had to be ready to go soon. Sadly, the RPG titan tempered our expectations when the trailer ended with the familiar statement from its initial reveal: "Coming in due time." Well, if a LinkedIn profile is to be believed, Clockwork Revolution may join the fray of a busy year for the "biggest publisher in gaming." Naturally, we hone in on GTA 6 which creates a splash radius so large that every publisher will be avoiding them for the fall. How Xbox navigates this will be interesting as we have yet to consider overdue titles like State Of Decay 3 and third party deals. Buckle up, friends! It's going to be a wild ride.

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:06:49 - Health Is Wealth
0:11:42 - Birthday video games
0:24:49 - Holiday gaming plans
0:30:43 - Our reveal predictions for The Game Awards
0:37:07 - What is that Game Awards statue?
0:41:43 - Avowed roadmap updated
0:50:38 - Microsoft might want to add AI to Game Pass
1:00:04 - Xbox Game Pass is done for the year
1:05:04 - CD Projekt Red wants the new Witcher trilogy done in 6 years
1:28:49 - Make or Break moment for Yacht Club Games
1:38:21 - The art controversy with Marathon has been settled
1:43:00 - There will be a Hitman 4
1:45:49 - Ubisoft cuts plans for Assassin’s Creed Shadows DLC
1:51:10 - Splinter Cell director returns
1:54:35 - Bloodlines 2 sales flop
1:58:23 - Is Shadow The Hedgehog getting his own movie?
2:01:41 - What’s next for Metal Gear Solid?
2:08:11 - Control 2 reveal at The Game Awards?
2:09:19 - Some sales updates
2:10:42 - What We’re Playing
3:01:50 - Xbox’s 2026 release rumors

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Thanks to the likes of OpenAI, hardware manufacturers are scrambling to adjust prices amidst a shortage of RAM. As a result, things are about to become more expensive again! Unlike companies like Lenovo or PlayStation who seemingly bought stock in advance to help avoid price shock, Xbox appears to be ready to pass this one onto the consumer. Naturally, the "Xbox refugees" have turned their attention toward the Steam Machine which could fill a void in our gamer hearts. However, the Dukes find it hard to imagine a hero in this stock shortage story. Just how much will the Steam Machine be after Valve admits they will not be subsidizing and are just looking to make the device competitive? Will it look good beside a PlayStation 6 or next gen Xbox? We have a lot of questions, little answers, and even less money.

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

0:00:00 - Intro
0:04:41 - Health Is Wealth
0:14:29 - Let’s chat some more about Charlie ‘4 Hours’ Cox
0:22:50 - Xbox’s November 2025 update
0:31:40 - Default Game Profiles come to the Xbox Ally
0:35:06 - The Xcrocs are (sadly) real
0:41:13 - Battlefield 6 versus Black Ops 7
1:04:07 - Destiny 3 is in the works?
1:09:10 - A crazy week in the world of Ubisoft
1:31:50 - TMNT is getting the Sonic treatment
1:43:28 - Leaked messages of what got Rockstar employees fired
1:46:03 - Intergalatic: The Heretic Prophet is years away
1:50:00 - Stellar Blade 2 will be multiplatform
1:50:59 - Death Stranding 2 coming to PC soon?
1:52:57 - Exodus trailer confirmed for The Game Awards
1:56:57 - Cyberpunk’s sequel is ramping up
1:59:42 - SEGA admits their definitive versions could hurt sales
2:13:12 - What We’re Playing
2:44:17 - Valve talks Steam Machine value as Xbox is expected to jump their prices again

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As was originally reported, Xbox brought out a Partner Preview in November. It was chockful of everything strange like a co-op alien shop simulator or a thuggish rabbit beating up baddies to more traditional first person horror titles. The catch was that every game we saw throughout was a Play Anywhere title, a program that many of Xbox's players still yearn for the platform to leverage more. All in all, the Dukes enjoyed the show, especially given it dropped ahead of the biggest show of the year in the Game Awards where announcements are typically prioritized. Beyond that, we dive deep into the Valve rumor mill. Half Life 3 is everywhere! Is it finally happening and are the Dukes believers? We get into that plus updated thoughts on the Steam Machine now that we've had some time to digest the triple-whammy Valve hit us with last week.

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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
0:13:32 - Discussing The Game Awards nominees
0:31:43 - The myriad of Half Life 3 rumors
0:36:54 - Valve’s focus for the Steam Machine
0:51:16 - Xbox Ally is exceeding expectations
0:55:09 - Xbox releases game publishing documentation to the public
0:59:26 - Obsidian has yet to use generative AI
1:03:17 - Activision caught using AI generated assets in Black Ops 7
1:12:01 - Bethesda responds to Fallout 4’s anniversary issues
1:28:04 - Krafton is now the publisher of Hi Fi Rush, but there’s a catch
1:31:37 - New comments by Sarah Bond on Xbox’s future
1:37:18 - PlayStation was indifferent to market shrinking in Japan
1:46:07 - Where is Yoko Taro?
1:48:58 - A new Ratchet & Clank game got revealed
1:56:42 - Don’t call it a Concord comeback
2:00:35 - Silent Hill Townfall’s release date leaked
2:02:15 - Ubisoft canceled Splinter Cell for xDefiant
2:10:02 - Red Dead Redemption 1 gets next gen update
2:10:56 - Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 reaches 4 million sales figure
2:13:38 - First look at Zelda movie
2:14:27 - Death Stranding is getting an original anime on Disney+
2:17:16 - Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass
2:19:42 - What We’ve Been Playing
3:11:50 - Xbox Partner Preview

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