After confirming that there is no red line on any Xbox games coming to Playstation and other platforms, Microsoft officially launched its new marketing campaign that doubled down on its open platform strategy. But will this strategy, at the cost of the Xbox console gamer, work? Is Xbox actually forward facing in this strategy?

Out of no where 343 or should I say Halo Studios made some huge announcements and revealed the future look of Halo games with the move to Unreal Engine 5. It impressed many but also caused some controversy. Metaphor: ReFantazio is Atlus' fastest selling game, with excellent Steam player counts and huge critical success despite the concern trolling from some odd concerns of the internet.

We have now had both Sony and Microsoft present their games shows this week. Expectations should have been high for the State of Play but with a fanbase beaten down in submission, anything from first party, even a singular title, would have pacified the fanbase suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. And that's exactly what happened! Is Ghost of Yotei enough to justify years of anaemia from Playstation and its first party studios?

After several reports about Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy Rebirth underperforming on Playstation, Square Enix have finally officially confirmed the reports. What does this mean for the future of Final Fantasy? Is the appeal of this legendary IP waning? Is this because of the exclusivity strategy? Final Fantasy 16 also released on PC this week but to not so spectacular player numbers on Steam. We also got a look at reported early look at the Switch 2 and some reported specs that put it alongside the PS4 Pro and Xbox Series S. Nintendo has also decided to do what Nintendo loves doing and that's file a lawsuit, this time against Pocket Pair behind the hit game Palworld. Vince Zampella of EA confirmed that a new Battlefield was in the works and is going back to the series' roots, Xbox had a showing at TGS (which hasn't happened yet at the time I am typing this so it could be a whole nothing burger), a State of Play is coming next week and ANOTHER Remaster from Sony that nobody asked for is happening with Horizon: Zero Dawn. I got all this and more to discuss.

Sony finally revealed the worst kept console secret that is the PS5 Pro that has been met with lots of criticism and ridicule after a very limp presentation and a shocking price reveal. Will PS5 Pro make a splash that it needs to with the hardcore? Is the price indicative of the perils of a lack of competition in the console space? Microsoft also announced another 650 employees losing their jobs at Xbox.

PlayStation and its live service and multiplayer pivot is not going so well. Concord from Firewalk Studios has seen abysmal numbers of players on Steam and doesn't seem to be making a meaningful splash on console either. The reviews are also middling yet some diehard fans maintain that the game is good. To make matters worse, Marathon's director at Bungie has been fired over inappropriate conduct. This comes off the back of reports that the game's development is not going well. Will Marathon be another failure in Sony's strategy? In other news, Black Myth Wukong shuts down many naysayers with its blistering success and raises questions regarding the validity of concerns regarding diversity in games in the West. Call of Duty Black Ops 6's beta hits and the marketing is in full swing, showing lots of potential. Square Enix confirms that it will now double down efforts with Xbox and Final Fantasy 14 appears to have performed strongly according to Square. What does the future of Xbox look like now that it has essentially become a third party publisher?

Well there it is. The nail in the coffin of the glorious console war that has raged on between Xbox and Sony for decades. With Xbox's first party title Indiana Jones now confirmed to be coming to Playstaton and Spencer essentially admitting that the floodgates are open, most Xbox exclusives will merely be timed exclusives going forward. We have a lot to discuss and starting now, I will be having guests on the show!

Joining me will be Colt Eastwood! ►    / @colteastwood