Game Pass Gamecast

Join the Bonus Accessory crew every Friday as they dive head first into all things Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, & PC gaming.  Since its initial delay to next year, 343 Industries has kept relatively quiet about Halo Infinite after criticism it faced from its initial game play reveal. But the Kirkland, WA developer is now pulling the curtain back just a bit on Master Chief’s newest adventure, including the reveal of a new Fall 2021 release window. This week, we dive into all of the new updates from Microsoft’s flagship franchise, including the changes made to the overall art style, Joseph Staten taking over as creative director on the project, additional details to character models, the new “coating” system for customization and much more. Does this update hit the mark for fans? Plus, Cyberpunk 2077 is officially out world wide, and while many are enjoying their trip to Night City, some alarming issues regarding seizure triggers are beginning to arise given the game’s lack of ample warning. Could this have been completely and easily avoid given the correct approach? Also, 2021’s edition of PAX East, West, and Unplugged have been scheduled, but given the current health crisis, is a June start date being a bit too unrealistic? All of this and much more on the newest episode of the Game Pass Gamecast! Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications to be the first to listen to new episodes as soon as they drop every Friday!

Join the Bonus Accessory crew every Friday as they dive head first into all things Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, & PC gaming.  There once was a point where Bioware was held as one of of gaming’s strongest developers, such as Bungie, Bethesda, Naughty Dog, and more, but flash forward to 2020 and two disappointing launches later, it could only be up from here right? Well, that is until two prominent members of the studio left in Casey Hudson and Mark Darrah. This week, we examine what the future of Bioware truly holds at this point. Where does this newest blow leave two of gaming’s biggest RPG franchises in Mass Effect and Dragon Age, let alone the revamp of 2019’s Anthem? And maybe the biggest elephant in the room: can Bioware live up to their own lineage and release another great title in the future? Also, Fortnite’s newest season has launched, reverberating through different dimensions, and with it, so leaks of potential upcoming skins including Microsoft’s flagship character Master Chief. Does Fortnite have the potential to dethrone Super Smash Bros as gaming’s history museum, with what appears to be a road filled with various franchises being represented, and just how much steam does this game truly have left? Plus, playing PS2 games on your Series X & S, Sea of Thieves gets a battle pass, new games coming to Game Pass and much, much more coming up on the newest episode of the Game Pass Gamecast! Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications to be the first to listen to new episodes as soon as they drop every Friday!

Join the Bonus Accessory crew every Friday as they dive head first into all things Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, & PC gaming.  Gaming produces some of the most passionate fan bases in entertainment and art, both from those who create them and play them. But sometimes, that can go a little too far, specifically when it comes to console wars and the sometimes childish takes that come with them. Phil Spencer thinks that same tribalism could be one of gaming’s biggest issues right now. This week, we examine why this hateful position in gaming still even exists, why it’s commonly confused with good competition and why continued success from all hardware manufacturers is a good thing. Plus, Xbox Game Streaming has been cemented officially for a few months now, but it doesn’t look like expansion to new platforms is off the table, even when it comes to smart TV apps. Could this platform be a boon for Microsoft when it comes out (as soon as the next 12 months) or will more hardware options akin to an Amazon Fire Stick be a better long term option? Also, The Game Awards nominees have been announced & a few Xbox titles have made their way into the spotlight , specifically Ori and the Will of the Wisp. But what about major titles who miss the mark of release due to the early nature of nominee submission, such as Cyberpunk 2077. Would it be more logical to fit all of the current year’s nominations in the current year by moving the event to January, or does the December cap still feel like the best option? All of this and much more on the newest episode of the Game Pass Gamecast!

Join the Bonus Accessory crew every Friday as they dive head first into all things Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, & PC gaming. While Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and S seem to be off to a great start at launch, the launch lineup clearly remains a sticking point for many (and rightfully so). But has Halo Infinite’s departure from the launch window of the new systems really hurt sales of the systems as much as initial thought? Phil Spencer doesn’t. This week, we breakdown a new interview involving Xbox’s head honcho and why he thinks that launch lineups may not be as impactful as many think when it comes to initial sales of new hardware. So you know what that means? It’s time to play Devil’s Advocate. Plus, 343 Industries is planning to give fans a “high level” update to Halo Infinite’s development within the next few weeks, but just don’t expect it at the Game Awards (which we believe is a smart move). What does this “high level” update need to highlight for fans to walk away satisfied? Also, while Bethesda titles may not be exclusive to Xbox platforms in the future, Xbox chief executive officer Tim Stuart believes they will be offered as running “best” or “better” within the Xbox ecosystem. Is offering purposely weaker versions of titles to other platforms a slippery slope to slide, or will Xbox’s low barrier to entry mitigate these concerns? All of this and much more on the newest episode of the Game Pass Gamecast!

Join the Bonus Accessory crew every Friday as they dive head first into all things Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, & PC gaming.The Xbox Series X & S are officially out in the wild and the gaming world is getting in on the next gen actions (except for Travis and his defective Series X, but we have a lot of Series X stuff to talk about so he'll have to power through the next gen pain). While both console are seeing record sales, it seems like he's not alone with launch day issues with the Series X. With hardware defects now an issue at launch for the third console generation in a row for Microsoft, is this negative consistency potentially harming the faith from fans and could the Series X’s disc drive issues potentially help the sales for the Series S? Plus, as we revel in the launch of next gen, Phil Spencer highlights some dark days from the launch of the Xbox One, even noting that Microsoft almost potentially exited the games industry. Could we one day see Microsoft leave the console wars to focus on software a kin to that of Sega, or will they always have a home in gamers’ living rooms thanks to their deep pockets? Also, Codemasters, developers of the Dirt and Formula 1 racing franchises, has officially agreed to acquisition terms with Take Two Interactive. Is this the right move for a development studio in a niche genre, outside of just the financial stability? All of this and much more on the newest episode of the Game Pass Gamecast!

Join the Bonus Accessory crew every Friday as they dive head first into all things Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, & PC gaming. The hype is palpable, the anticipation is high, and everyone is geared up and ready for the launch of the Xbox Series X & S next week. Reviews have begun to pour in and we finally have a good sense of what to expect from Microsoft’s next gen offerings. This week, we comb through and examine a plethora of reviews regarding the Xbox Series X & S, and break down just what the critics are saying. Everything from the final build quality and the heat of the system, to its performance under pressure, to how the launch library finally looks, we try to set the scene if you’re planning on getting in on the next gen fun starting on Tuesday. Plus, we’ve got new details regarding Bethesda’s Starfield right from Todd Howard himself, all of the entertainment apps coming to the Xbox Series of systems at launch, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s actual file size and much, much more. So buckle up and get ready for your newest episode of the Game Pass Gamecast! Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications to be the first to listen to new episodes as soon as they drop every Friday!  

Join the Bonus Accessory crew every Friday as they dive head first into  all things Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, & PC gaming. It’s no secret that Halo Infinite’s development hasn’t been the smoothest. From losing both its creative director and executive producer last year, it’s poor reception to its initial gameplay reveal (and then delay announcement) as well as bring back series veteran Joseph Staten, it’s clear that something with the title’s development has been well unclear. But now the project faces another blow to its team in the form of Game Director Chris Lee leaving the project. But is this all part of the new plan? This week, we try to piece together what the hell Halo Infinite’s future looks like, if this project is still on the rails, and if Lee’s departure could indicate an even longer delay than many seem to think. Plus, Phil Spencer & Todd Howard both offer new perspectives into the Bethesda & Xbox exclusivity discussion. Is the inevitable decision going to be one that isn’t as clean as many hope? Also, EA is set to pay out big after the Dutch court sides with its gambling authority over lootbox issues. Is the gaming industry in a perpetual loop when it comes to gambling and lootboxes? Will we every see true evolution with them? All of this and much more on the newest episode of the Game Pass Gamecast! Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications to be the first to listen to new episodes as soon as they drop every Friday!

Join the Bonus Accessory crew every Friday as they dive head first into  all things Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, & PC gaming. With the Xbox Series X & S’s launch right around the corner, the acquisition of Bethesda, and much more, it’s been quite a whirlwind in the world of Xbox. Recently though, Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer sat down to do a special interview that not only answered a lot of questions, but also gave us a few more. This week, we dissect his latest interview as well as his thoughts on the potential of exclusivity with Bethesda’s big franchises like the Elder Scrolls, Fallout and more, the longevity of the Xbox Series S, the future of Xbox titles on Nintendo platforms and much more. Also, former Blizzard vets Tim Campbell and Tim Morton have announced the formation of Frost Giant Studios and are focused on bringing a new RTS experience to fans. What should fans expect from the well versed RTS vets and what exactly makes a great RTS for old and new fans alike in 2020? All of this and much more on the newest episode of the Game Pass Gamecast! Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications to be the first to listen to new episodes as soon as they drop every Friday!

Join the Bonus Accessory crew every Friday as they dive head first into  all things Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, & PC gaming. Microsoft has confirmed its launch titles releasing beside the Xbox Series X and S next month, and it seems to confirm the fears of many fans, that being: what software is actually driving you to buy into the system day one? This week, we examine if the features of Microsoft’s next gen systems, such as Quick Resume, Smart Delivery, Xbox Game Pass and more are enough to justify the day one purchase, and even with the very bright future ahead for Xbox Games Studios, could the slow trickle of first party content in its first year cause the systems to potentially stumble out of the gate? Also, Microsoft and GameStop have entered into quite the unique situation, with Microsoft sharing revenue from all Xbox digital sales with the long time games retailer. Could this be enough to help GameStop be competitive in the inevitable all digital future? Plus, the new UI for the Xbox ecosystem is dropping within the week on Xbox One consoles and will represent what you will see when you boot up your new Xbox Series console on Day One. Is simplicity the right approach to user interface, after seeing the feature set that Sony is offering in the PlayStation 5’s UI? All of this and much more on the newest episode of the Game Pass Gamecast! Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications to be the first to listen to new episodes as soon as they drop every Friday!

Join the Bonus Accessory crew every Friday as they dive head first into  all things Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, & PC gaming. Things are really starting to heat up in the world of Microsoft and Xbox as we inch closer to the Xbox Series X’s November 10th release date, but from recent reports it may not be heating up in all of the right ways. This week, we talk about the potential heat concerns stemming from the preview build of the Xbox Series X that members of the media have begun reporting on and just what issues fans could face at the launch of Microsoft’s next gen console. Also, Phil Spencer confirms that xCloud, Microsoft’s cloud gaming initiative, is coming to PC and Consoles…eventually, as the team continues to implement a full suite of future features to the service. Could Microsoft own the cloud gaming market, given Google and Amazon’s current position, when it is added, and really, will it need to? Plus, Yves Guillemot has addressed Ubisoft’s efforts to effect long term cultural change within the gaming titan’s wall, combating sexual and mental abuse to its employees. With the games industry growing day by day, why does it have such a hard time moving past its horrid boy’s club mentality and becoming more inclusive? All of this and much more on the newest episode of the Game Pass Gamecast! Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications to be the first to listen to new episodes as soon as they drop every Friday!