Unlocked

In a surprise plot twist, Microsoft's Activision-Blizzard acquisition has been BLOCKED by the UK's CMA regulatory authority. We spend most of the show discussing the ramifications of this as well as what Microsoft might do next. Plus: we kick off the show with some quick impressions of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor!

Presented by Dead Island 2

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Longtime Halo senior developer Joseph Staten, the subject of last week's Unlocked, has announced where he's going next: Netflix! We discuss what this means for Netflix's gaming efforts before turning our attention to the newly announced departure of another longtime Halo developer, Frank O'Connor. Plus: Diablo 4's community interactions continue to impress, and more!

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As Halo Infinite creative director Joseph Staten confirms his departure from Microsoft altogether, we reflect back on his many contributions to some of the very best Halo games and also look ahead at what the future of Halo might look like. Plus: Arkane Austin drops some disappointing news about Redfall, Miranda gives her very positive hands-on impressions of Minecraft Legends, and more!

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ID@XBox dropped some exciting new trailers today and the Unlocked crew is here to update us on the latest indie games coming to Xbox! Stella Chung, Miranda Sanchez, and Taylor Lyles share their thoughts on games like The Explorator, Homestead Arcana, The Last Case of Benedict Fox, and the new Vampire Survivors: Tales of the Foscari DLC! We also touch on cheaper storage expansion for the Xbox as well as an unfortunate delay for ARK 2. Tons of fun stuff happening this week, so don't miss out!

00:00:00 - Intro & ID@Xbox Reactions! 

00:17:17- ARK 2 Delayed to 2024 

00:25:25 - New Xbox Controller Made From Recycled Parts? 

00:37:14 - Cheaper Xbox Storage on the Way & Outro

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Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 4, and more Resident Evil 4. At least that's what Brian Altano played this week. Join us on this episode as we let Brian gush over his love of RE4, discuss changes coming to Game Pass, and some bummer MultiVersus news. 

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:21 Resident Evil 4 Remake

00:23:00 Game Pass changes

00:38:05 MultiVersus leaves open beta

00:50:42 Outro

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We all played a ton of the Diablo 4 beta this past weekend, and we were all also lucky enough to play Redfall recently as well. We've got a LOT of thoughts about both. Join us!

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Hitman developer IO Interactive is starting to talk about its new online fantasy-RPG project. Plus it's got a James Bond 007 game in the works. We discuss those, and then debate whether or not they might -- or should -- be Xbox's next acquisition target. Plus: Zombie Telltale is saying all of right things about its decision to delay The Wolf Among Us 2 into next year, guest panelist Cameron Hawkins agrees to take one for the team and eat a KFC Double Down in order to get Diablo 4 beta access, and more!

00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:06 - IO Interactive Working on a Fantasy RPG
00:21:04 - Should IO Interactive Be Xbox’s Acquisition Target?
00:35:57 - The Wolf Among Us 2 Delayed & Outro

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Starfield finally has a release date, so we kick off the show discussing why this new September window makes a lot of sense for Bethesda Game Studios's next big RPG. Plus: we share nine moves we think Xbox should make in 2023, and more!

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Tons to talk about this week! We start by discussing our disappointment in the new gameplay showcase for Rocksteady's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Then we analyze Tango Gameworks founder Shinji Mikami's departure from the studio and why we think The Evil Within 3 is still happening. Plus: Mortal Kombat 12 gets announced in an unexpected way, Call of Duty will get a full-game release this year after all, and more!

00:00:00 - Intro & Housekeeping

00:03:19 - What’s Up with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League?

00:21:29 - Shinji Mikami is Leaving Tango Gameworks

00:28:13 - WB CEO Announces Mortal Kombat 12

00:38:12 - Call of Duty and Forza Horizon 5 News!

00:47:10 - Outro

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Microsoft makes 10-year deals to bring Call of Duty to other platforms with not one but TWO different companies in an effort to get regulators to approve the Activision-Blizzard acquisition. We discuss how Microsoft might be nearing the endgame of this corporate chess match. Plus: we're stoked for the Diablo 4 beta, Ubisoft makes a puzzling statement about attending E3, and more!

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