The XboxCast

Obviously The Fish Plays Bass

Because what other instrument would a fish play?
 
Rockbeasts has been announced and looks to be the sleep hit we never knew we needed. Creatures big and small all come together in this unique RPG that is going to be filled to the brim with the best puns ever. And we're hyped for it! 
 
That Annapurna Interactive Showcase took place and there were announcements for announcements. From game devs confirming they are working on their next game, to release dates for games you've never heard of, the entire show could have been an email. At least according to us. We're not massive indie fans, so we're pretty sure some hidden gems are slipping under our radar. If we missed something exciting, be sure to let us know. 
 
Phil Spencer has said that generative A.I. is going to be amazing for game preservation. We have some doubts after seeing the current state of things, but like any good Microsoftie, Phil is making sure to lock step with the wider Microsoft as they march to the drumbeat of A.I. in everything. All we ask is for our Xbox to be a little smarter... What do you think? Is A.I. in video games a good thing? Or is it one giant Silicon Valley bubble? 
 
Not to be outdone, the head kahuna of Microsoft - Satya himself - has started crooning about the role of A.I. in video games. Particularly, how import gaming data is to Microsoft in helping to train their models. Just think - you'll go off to work one day and your A.I. avatar gets to stay home and unlock achievements for you. Because who wants to play their games anyway? It's much easier to let A.I. beat that boss, get that perfect three-star score, or manage your inventory. Actually, that last one sounds like the perfect use of A.I. in video games. Never having to deal with inventory management ever again will make it all worth it.
 
All this and much, much more in this week's episode of The Regular Show!
Make sure you've joined our Discord to take part in our amazing community events. 
The next one up is the world famous #AprilAchievementChallenge!
 
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100% More Finger

Lee has 100% more finger in this episode.
Or is it due to being replaced by AI?
 
Xbox has a roadmap? Wait. It's a roadmap created by an Xbox fan, and not from Xbox Studios themselves. That more like the Xbox we know and love - no advertising, and expecting fans to do all their work for them. That aside, the roadmap is pretty impressive. Going all the way back to 2020, it showcases only the games Xbox Game Studios have actually released. This generation seems to be all about the games, and we've got them in spades. 
 
There's a new third part Xbox controller, and its a monster! Four controllers in one and called the best controller for PC and Xbox gaming. The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot surely looks impressive, with being able to swap out the controller modules for your perfect layout. Now you can try out symmetrical thumb-sticks just to feel how wrong they are. 
 
And Ubisoft is Ubisofting all over their financials - posting what looks to be incomplete sales data. But in a twist, its not incomplete - that's just how far Ubisoft sales have fallen. 50% down in one quater alone. Will AC Shadows come in to save them? Or is it going to be the final nail in the coffin, causing them to be sold to Tencent? 
 
We're in the midst of #FriendlyFeb! So, make sure you've joined our Discord to enjoy the fun. Any #FriendlyFeb game reviews you put in Discord have a chance to be read out on the podcast. 
 
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Rooster-dor

It's like matador, but for roosters.
A more exciting way to make chicken skewers.
 
The reviews are in for South of Midnight, and boy is it shaping up to be a very special exclusive. Couple this with the reviews from Avowed, and Xbox is finally looking to be in the swing of things. Will they be able to keep up this momentum? Or will it all be undone by putting all these games on PlayStation in a years' time? 
 
Do you long for the gold ole days of RPGs, where every level up felt earned, where every item drop was a special occasion? A time before we got the dopamine riddled new hack-n-slashers? Well, you're not alone. The creator of Diablo 2, David Brevik, has shared a longing to get back to these types of games. 
 
And could Final Fantasy be coming to Xbox? New rumors are hinting that we may even see FF7 Remake and FF16 on Xbox this year! But do you care? It's been so long, and Xbox has been putting out so many great games on Game Pass - from AAA blockbuster to indie gems - that it looks to be too little too late for Square Enix.
 
We're in the midst of #FriendlyFeb! So, make sure you've joined our Discord to enjoy the fun. Any #FriendlyFeb game reviews you put in Discord have a chance to be read out on the podcast. 
 
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The Age of Games Coming To PlayStation

PlayStation gets even more Xbox games.
While Xbox gets..? The warm fuzzies of being everyone's friends?
 
Age of Empires, Age of Mythology and Forza Horizon 5 are all headed to PlayStation. There really are no more red lines inside Xbox. How soon will see Halo or Gears of War on PlayStation? All while Xbox is talking about winning people based on hardware, services and experiences. Almost like the games themselves aren't experiences? Seems like Activision Blizzard is not going to pay for itself, and Microsoft is calling on Xbox to collect.
 
Multiversus is shutting down. Yip, the game that released, then pulled, then re-released somehow never managed to find an audience. Who would have thought? Unless its due to be re-re-released this time next year? Bold strategy, Cotton, let's see if it pays off. 
 
Rebel Wolves, ex-devs from CD Projekt RED, are showing off their first game. On a mission to make the best RPG's in the world, this CGI trailer looks to have all the best bits of The Witcher distilled. We're looking really forward to hat they cook up, when they cook it up. 
 
And we're in the midst of #FriendlyFeb! So, make sure you're in our Discord, and join in on the fun. 
 
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Xbox Copilot: Welcome to Season 9

A new Xbox is coming, and we know the name.
Introducing Xbox Copilot!
 
Welcome to Season 9. We're glad you're here! And hello to all the new listeners. Let us introduce ourselves. We're The XboxCast - a podcast from Australia/New Zealand all about the life of an Xbox gamer in the lands of Down Under. From sky high tech prices, to being left off world maps, the ANZ experience is always fun. 
 
As a welcome back, we go over January's Developer Direct - DOOM, South of Midnight, and a surprise Ninja Gaiden 4 announcement. Oh my! So much to look forward to. And what is this? All of it going to PlayStation... Sometimes Xbox really makes it hard to be a fan. But Microsoft will Microsoft, and boy, do we get into it. 
 
We promise, we're not always so ranty!
 
And get yourself ready for #FriendlyFeb! Our February event kicks off soon, so make sure you're in our Discord, and join in on the fun. 
 
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The Game Awards (Alternate Version)

It's the Game Awards Show, but different!Thanks Lee!
 
Before we sign off officially for 2024, we have one final episode for you - its The Game Awards - again. But slightly different. 
 
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The XboxCast Present: The Game Awards for 2024

It's time to play the musicIt's time to light the lightsIt's time to reveal our game awards tonight
It's time to put on makeupIt's time to dress up rightIt's time to raise the curtain
On the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, XboxCastationalGame Awards tonight!
 
Our final show of 2024, and as is custom, we bow out with our version of The Game Awards. But we do things differently. See, we don't judge games we've never played, we don't get paid to declare winners (but if you would like to try change our minds - get in contact!), we don't award games just because they sold well. 
 
NO! We nominate games that we've played throughout the year only. Our hands on experience is what sets us apart from every other game award show. And not just because we're awarding games that came in 4 years ago either. 
 
On a more serious note, The XboxCast does this because of you. Whether you tune in every week on our live stream, or listen when you can, you guys make it all worth it. We hope you enjoyed the laughs, the rants and just the general nonsense we get up on the podcast. Thank you for hanging out with us - on the podcast, in our Discord, near or far. 💚
 
From the whole XboxCast - Kyle, Lee, Simone and Producer Paul - have a Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Years. 
See you all in 2025 for season 9!
 
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Dark Puck: The Game Awards Breakdown

Some guy named Geoff hosted some game awards show.
Naturally we're here to tell him how wrong he was.
 
It's time for The (fake) Game Awards! Hosted by the guy we all love to intensely dislike - Geoff! This year saw some very good nominations, but the questions on everyone's lips is will the gaming media media all over these awards, and who will be told to Wrap It Up? 
 
If you are one of the lucky few who didn't manage to catch any of the announcements, or the winners, then you're in luck! Neither did Kyle. So, you're both going in blind to these awards. Were there any exciting announcements? And just how much did Sony pay to win Game of The Year?
 
As always, this is all in jest. Just a warmup, while you wait for the award show that really matters - The XboxCast's Game of The Year show! Coming up next episode...
 
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It's Just a Little Indy Game

Xbox happened to drop a little Indy game to round out the year.
And it looks like it's on track to be the real Game of The Year! 
 
Indiana Jones is out to rave reviews. Tens all across the board, but the looks of it. Well done Machine Games! And on the back of that, Xbox has decided its strongest line up in years is also going to PlayStation. Just when you think Xbox is ready to compete, they shoot themselves in the foot. Thanks Sarah!
 
As games expand to budgets in the millions, years long development cycles and thousands of people all getting laid off, we ask has the AAA bubble burst? It certainly looks that way when you see a game like Concord that didn't even last 2 weeks before being shut down and forgotten about. Is this due to the nature of the industry changing or could this be due to DEI policies? Kyle has some ideas, and he does like a good rant.
 
In some positive news, Lee actually likes most of the new games coming out this week. Consider that a win. Both for him, and you, our listener! No longer will you have to hear him verbally eye roll with each announcement. 
 
Remember to vote for your personal Game of the Year! Because we believe in Play Choice here. Have your say for the best and worst games you played this year, and the best responses will be read out in our final show of the year. 
 
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Lee & Paul Take Over

It's the Lee & Paul Take Over Episode!
 
Lee is out of sorts as he has to push buttons and talk at the same time! How will he ever cope? Luckily Paul is around to keep him in check. Will he handle it, or will it all fall apart? Listen now to find out.
 
Remember, our Game of the Year voting is open now! Have your say and tell us what games are your personal GotY across all the categories. Because here at The XboxCast, we believe in Players Choice. You're welcome. 
 
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#TerrorTober: Monster Mash Roundup

This week on The XboxCast we welcome back Producer Paul!
 
We all talk about the huge number of games we played over the last month, well mostly Diablo...at least Paul has been playing something different.
 
Thankfully our amazing listeners actually play games and there is a rundown from all the stories they post in our Discord. Which you should totally join, by the way. 
 
As you all know our next event is Game of the Year, have you picked yours yet?
Our helpful run through of the big games that have come out this year, and what we still have to look forward to, will Indy arrive late and clean up?
 
Thank you for listening!
 
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If you like this type of content, and want more, then jump into our Discord and let us know!
 
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Kong & Godzilla Vs The Power Rangers

Welcome to the world's first concept podcast. 
What is a pod? What is a cast? Are we even real? 
 
Do you collect game maps? What map are you most proud of? What is the oldest game map you own? 
Kyle dreams of having a map room full of (surprise!) maps. But the twist is they're all from games! It's like highbrow nerdiness! Imagine having Morrowind, next to the map from Anno 2205, next to a map of Sanctuary... Ah, a man can dream!
 
It doesn't matter - because we bring the news and new games this week, right into your earholes. 
Xbox had a Partner Preview and released some games. And showed off even more games! It seems that when the media said Xbox has no games, they took that personally. Xbox's new mandate is to quadruple your backlog and ensure you need to quit your job just to scratch the surface of what Game Pass offers. 
 
We have new games! The best games! Games that Lee has to play. You have to hump into our Discord and tell Lee to play these games. If anything, he has to play Date Everything! The game were your house appliances come to life and you get to romance them to your hearts content. Is the dishwasher as sassy as they first appear? Or maybe your Roomba is really sweet and encouraging? Who will you date?
 
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