Unlocked

As we await the verdict in the Microsoft vs. FTC trial regarding the fate of Xbox's Activision-Blizzard acquisition, we dig into some of the other things happening in the world of Xbox, from the future of Banjo-Kazooie (if there even is one) to Ubisoft's rumored Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake to this month's hidden gem on Xbox Game Pass, and more!

00:00:00 - Intro & FTC v. Microsoft Updates

00:08:17 - Xbox & Bethesda at gamescom 2023

00:18:48 - Will We Ever See Another Banjo Kazooie Game?

00:36:40 - Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Getting a Remake?

00:48:39 - Outro

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With the Microsoft vs. FTC trial concluding, with a verdict expected next week, we discuss and analyze seven big things we've learned so far, from the fate of Bethesda game exclusivity to the other publishers Microsoft considered buying and more! Plus: our own investigative report into the state of The Initiative and the Perfect Dark reboot.

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We have so much to talk about on this milestone episode! We recap some of the games we saw and played at Summer Game Fest, then discuss how Xbox is absolutely STACKED with AAA exclusive first-party RPGs for the next several years, then pour one out for the Xbox One as Microsoft officially stops making games for it, and THEN we finish this extra-long episode digging into all of the crazy revelations that are coming out as we speak during Microsoft's trial against the FTC regarding the Activision-Blizzard acquisition. Enjoy!

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Happy Summer of Gaming! In this special SoG episode of Podcast Unlocked, Ryan McCaffrey, Stella Chung, Destin Legarie, and Kat Bailey discuss their favorite reveals and surprises from the Xbox/Bethesda Showcase and the Starfield Direct. Xbox came out firing on all cylinders with some hot new reveals from their best studios. From Starfield to Clockwork Revolution and FINALLY some new information and scenes for Fable, there's a lot to cover, and it's all just icing on the cake! There's so much more, so stay tuned for that!

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On the eve of the biggest Xbox event of the year, we keep to our tradition and make a total of 12 predictions for the upcoming Xbox Showcase. From Fable to Avowed to Gears of War and beyond, we've got a dozen ideas about what we might see this Sunday. Plus: we discuss the recent report about Redfall's troubled development, gush about Diablo 4, and more!

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Diablo Franchise General Manager and old friend of Unlocked Rod Fergusson joins the show this week to celebrate the launch of Diablo 4. Rod talks about the challenges of joining Blizzard mere days before the COVID-19 pandemic, why he left Gears of War behind after 15 years, which Diablo 4 class he'll be playing first, and much more!

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Mortal Kombat 1 has been announced, and it's bringing its unexpected title to next-gen consoles in September. Meanwhile, Alan Wake 2's voice actor may have just spoiled the release date for Remedy's upcoming survival-horror sequel. We discuss these two games, along with the Fall release calendar for Xbox that's now starting to come into focus. Plus: we're not buying the idea that GTA 6 might be out next year, and more!

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Xbox's deal to acquire Activision-Blizzard gets a key approval from the European Commission, even while the UK's CMA doubles down on its opposition. A quote from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has us wondering what Microsoft might be willing to do in the UK if they don't get the green light. Plus: Starfield has...jetpack sex? Don't worry, we'll explain. And more!

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Phil Spencer's recent comments about Xbox's third-place standing in the video game marketplace have created quite a stir in the Xbox community. We play Phil's quote and then spend a LOT of time reacting to and discussing it. Plus: it's the First Annual Xbox Games Showcase Draft! We compile a list of the games we think are most likely to make an appearance at next month's Showcase. Some of our choices might surprise you!

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Redfall is out, and unfortunately it's basically a worst-case scenario. We talk through our personal impressions of the game so far, and then get into a larger discussion about what it means for Xbox customer confidence, the intense pressure that now falls on Starfield, and where Xbox can go from here.

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