
Unlocked
782 episodes — Page 4 of 16
Ep 596What Xbox’s Fall 2023 Looks Like So Far – Unlocked 596
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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 595Xbox’s Activision-Blizzard Deal Greenlit in EU…but it’s Not Over Yet – Unlocked 595
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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 594Xbox Games Showcase Predictions, Round 1 – Unlocked 594
EPhil 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 593Redfall’s Poor Launch Tests Xbox Fans’ Patience – Unlocked 593
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 592Xbox’s Activision-Blizzard Deal Is Done. Now What? – Unlocked 592
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 591Can Netflix Make Awesome AAA Games? – Unlocked 591
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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 590Thanks for All the Great Halo, Joseph Staten – Unlocked 590
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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 589ID@Xbox April Showcase: Our Thoughts and Reactions - Unlocked 589
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 588Resident Evil 4: Remake Has Us in its Grips - Unlocked 588
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 587We Played Redfall and Diablo 4, Let’s Talk! – Unlocked 587
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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 586Should IO Interactive Be Xbox’s Next Acquisition Target? – Unlocked 586
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 - Intro00:04:06 - IO Interactive Working on a Fantasy RPG00:21:04 - Should IO Interactive Be Xbox’s Acquisition Target?00:35:57 - The Wolf Among Us 2 Delayed & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 5859 Moves Xbox Should Make This Year – Unlocked 585
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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 584Mortal Kombat Leaks, Mikami Leaves, and More in a Wild Xbox Week – Unlocked 584
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 583Activision-Blizzard Buyout Drama Heats Up - Unlocked 583
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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 582Xbox Game Pass: Good for Gamers, Bad for Game Sales? – Unlocked 582
Microsoft admits in a court filing as part of the proposed Activision-Blizzard acquisition that game sales suffer when games get added to Xbox Game Pass. We discuss why it doesn't really matter, why Game Pass matters for games both big and small, and more! Plus: why Kotick has to go if the acquisition is approved, Dead Island 2's release date changes AGAIN (but for the better this time!), and plenty more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Secret Single-Player Titanfall Game Reportedly Canceled by EA 00:03:36 - Xbox: Game Pass Cannibalizes Game Sales 00:23:23 - Kotick to Stay as CEO of Blizzard/Activision is Microsoft Deal is Blocked? 00:31:08 - Hi-Fi Rush Easter Egg Teases Evil Within 3? 00:41:21 - Dead Island 2’s Release Date Moves UP a Week 00:48:43 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 581Our Titanfall 3 Dreams Might Be Dead – Unlocked 581
A busy week of Xbox news has us discussing the recent cancellation of a secret Titanfall single-player project at Respawn and why we sadly may never see Titanfall again. Plus: live-service multiplayer games are getting shut off left and right, so what does it mean for the industry? Also: how will DC's plan to integrate video games into the DCU go over with developers, MLB The Show 23 adds a wonderful new feature that celebrates a key part of baseball history, Tim Schafer heads to the Hall of Fame, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Secret Single-Player Titanfall Game Reportedly Canceled by EA 00:24:36 - Marvel’s Midnight Suns and Xcom Director Isn’t Thrilled James Gunn’s New DC Connected Universe 00:35:29 - Crossfirex and Knockout City Are Officially Shutting Down 00:51:31 - MLB The Show 23 Will Feature Legends From the Negro Leagues 01:01:22 - Tim Schafer Inducted Into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame 01:10:22 - Unlock-Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 580Hi-Fi Rush Must Be Celebrated – Unlocked 580
Now that we've had a week to play Hi-Fi Rush and see the incredible viral reaction to it, we had a deep and extended conversation about Tango Gameworks' surprise rhythm-action release. We discuss why it was exactly what Xbox was needed, whether we might get a sequel, and more. Plus: the second half of the podcast is dedicated to an equally deep and heartfelt conversation about the state of 343 Industries and the Halo IP. 00:00:00 - Intro & How Much Fun is Hi-Fi Rush? 00:35:10 - 323 Industries Report from Jason Schreier 01:12:28 - Unlocked Block Trivia 00:37:29 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 579Xbox Direct Reactions and Analysis – Unlocked 579
We recorded Unlocked immediately after Microsoft's Xbox Developer Direct presentation this week. These are our in-the-moment reactions to the excellent presentation, from the deep-dive on Redfall (including a May 2 release date to look forward to) to another look at the gorgeous Forza Motorsport (though it came without any release date attached) to the surprise new game from Tango Gameworks, Hi-Fi Rush, that's available right now! And in our final segment, we spent some time discussing the current uncertain state of Halo in the wake of the layoffs at 343 Industries. 00:00:00 - Intro & Redfall Reactions! 00:14:33 - Hi-Fi Rush is Out NOW 00:24:38 - Forza Motorsport Looks So Good! 00:37:29 - The State of 343 Industries & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 578Our Xbox Direct Predictions – Unlocked 578
Spawn on Me host/creator Kahlief Adams returns to Unlocked to tell us all about Spawn on Me's upcoming awards show, The Spawnies. He then sticks around as we all make our predictions for next week's big Xbox Developer_Direct event. We predict release dates and a whole lot more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Kahlief Adams for The Spawnies!00:26:29 - Xbox Developer Direct Predictions!00:47:29 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 577Xbox Developer Direct Event Confirmed for January – Unlocked 577
Microsoft has finally confirmed a Developer Direct event that will showcase Redfall, Forza Motorsport, Minecraft Legends, and Elder Scrolls Online with a separate standalone event for Starfield coming at a later date. This will be a deep dive into the games with much less presentation and more gameplay according to the team at Xbox. As the titles listed are promised for the first half of 2023 we can't wait to see more. 00:00:00 - Intro & Housekeeping 00:01:39 - New Xbox Developer Direct is on the Way! 00:18:03 - Ubisoft Delays Skull & Bones for the 6th Time 00:33:34 - 5 Forza Horizon Devs Form a New Studio 00:40:31 - Xbox Implements New Power Saving Settings & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 5769 Xbox Predictions for 2023 – Unlocked 576
00:00:00 - Intro & Housekeeping 00:06:04 - Xbox Predictions for 2023 00:35:24 - QA Workers at Zenimax form a union 00:41:20 Xbox Games With Gold 00:48:32 Trivia! 00:52:32 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 575Our Favorite Xbox Games of 2022 – Unlocked 575
Our last episode of 2022 focuses on our personal favorite Xbox games of the year. From the biggest AAA blockbusters to the smallest under-the-radar indies, these are the 10 games we enjoyed the most on our Xboxes in 2022. Plus: Microsoft's latest salvo in the ongoing battle against the regulators AND Sony in the quest to get the Activision-Blizzard acquisition approved manages to make Sony look bad...but also doesn't make Microsoft look so hot either. We're off next week but back for 2023 starting on Wednesday, January 4. Happy holidays! 00:00:00 - Intro & Housekeeping 00:04:09 - Our Personal Xbox Favorite Games of 2022 00:33:30 - More on the Microsoft/Activision Story & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 574High on Life Is a Blast – Unlocked 574
High on Life has arrived, and it closes out Xbox Game Pass's 2022 on a high note! We rave about Justin Roiland's comedy-FPS and discuss what we love about it. Plus: we share our frustration about Xbox's no-show at The Game Awards last week, and why we feel like it was the straw that broke the camel's back for many Xbox fans. 00:00:00 - Intro & Housekeeping 00:07:29 - High On Life Impressions 00:21:00 - Xbox’s No-Show at The Game Awards 00:44:30 - Who Wins Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 573The Xbox Game Price Increase Is Finally Happening – Unlocked 573
Xbox has decided to increase the prices of their next-gen games created specifically for the Xbox Series X|S hardware to $70. This is after being priced at $60 for the last 16 years. Phil Spencer had teased a price increase for either the console, Xbox Game Pass, or their games shortly before this announcement. This week the Unlocked crew reacts to the news and also the surprising agreement Xbox and Nintendo made to keep Call of Duty on Nintendo gaming platforms for the next 10 years.00:00:00 Intro 00:02:10 Xbox first-party games price hike 00:17:25 Microsoft commits Call of Duty on Nintendo systems for 10 years 00:32:16 Halo Infinite winter update 00:38:15 Elden Ring DLC available for free 00:41:00 Remedy is working on Control 2 00:45:30 What we expect from The Game Awards 2022 00:50:10 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 572Marvel’s Midnight Suns Interview w/ Creative Director Jake Solomon – Unlocked 572
Marvel's Midnight Suns creative director Jake Solomon joins us to discuss Firaxis' new superhero strategy-RPG -- including a couple of Easter eggs that big Marvel fans should look out for. Plus: Todd Howard gives a vague hint about what to expect from MachineGames' Indiana Jones game, we've got ideas for how to reinvigorate Xbox Games With Gold, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Housekeeping 00:03:00 - Indiana Jones Game Is a 'Unique' Mash-Up of Different Genres 00:11:20 - The Callisto Protocol: Helix Station Podcast Ep. 4 Preview 00:14:13 - Xbox Games With Gold for December 00:24:41 - Will We Ever See a Ninja Gaiden Revival? 00:28:03 - Marvel’s Midnight Suns Interview w/ Creative Director Jake Solomon 00:49:40 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 571Splinter Cell Remake: Finally, We Get an Update – Unlocked 571
As Ubisoft Toronto developers discuss their design philosophy behind the Splinter Cell Remake and show off a bit of concept art, we react to their plans for Sam Fisher's long-awaited return. Plus: Dead Island 2 gets delayed again, Sonic the Hedgehog's co-creator gets arrested, Phil Spencer's "Call of Duty on PlayStation" press tour continues, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:39 - More Splinter Cell Concept Art Surfaces! 00:22:32 - The Callisto Protocol: Helix Station Podcast Ep. 4 Preview 00:25:19 - What’s the Deal with Dead Island 2? 00:31:44 - Phil Spencer Says CoD Will Stay on PlayStation (for the 100th time) 00:44:05 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 570Remembering Kevin Conroy’s Impact on Batman Video Games – Unlocked 570
Our Xbox crew mourns the passing of legendary longtime Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy, discussing how his presence and performance in the Batman: Arkham games helped elevate not just those games but the entire superhero game genre. Plus: our impressions of this week's new Xbox-exclusive releases Somerville and Pentiment, CD Projekt Red shares notable news on both Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3's next-gen update, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:58 - Halo Infinite Forge Impressions 00:07:18 - Somerville and Pentiment Are Here! 00:17:13 - The Callisto Protocol: Helix Station Podcast Preview 00:20:10 - Remembering Kevin Conroy 00:34:45 - Rockstar Turns Down Eminem-led GTA Movie 00:45:11 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 569Gears of War is FINALLY Getting a Movie (and Show) – Unlocked 569
Join Stella Chung, Parris Lilly, Gary Whitta, and Destin Legarie on covering the big news that Netflix announced a Gears of war movie and adult animated show in partnership with The Coalition, talking about the Halo Infinite Winter Update, and Take-Two Interactive’s new milestone with Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTAV. 00:00:00 - Intro & Our Thoughts on a Gears of War Movie/Series from Netflix 00:21:25 - The Callisto Protocol: Helix Station Podcast! 00:24:20 - Halo Infinite Winter Update Discussion 00:43:37 - GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 Hit New Milestones & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

IGN Presents | The Callisto Protocol: Helix Station
trailerSubscribe to the horror series set in the universe of “The Callisto Protocol,” the hotly anticipated game from Striking Distance Studios. Helix Station was once the jewel of the Jovian system, but it’s been a decaying ghost ship ever since its Carpenter drive went supercritical. When a dangerous escaped criminal seeks refuge there, officers of the Black Iron Prison force a pair of veteran skip tracers to help recover him. But once on Helix, they discover murderous alien life forms, as well as unspeakable horrors from their past. Starring Gwendoline Christie and Michael Ironside. IGN is publishing and distributing Helix Station in partnership with Striking Distance Studios, creator of the game The Callisto Protocol. The first two episodes of The Callisto Protocol: Helix Station are available now, with new episodes dropping every Thursday. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts. Listen & Subscribe here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 568Phil Spencer Ends the Call-of-Duty-on-PlayStation Debate – Unlocked 568
Phil Spencer went on quite a press tour this week, leaving us with a lot to discuss, including: a definitive end to the Call-of-Duty-on-PlayStation debate (or is it?), the ongoing Xbox first-party exclusive game drought, the prospect of price increases on Xbox hardware and/or software and/or services, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:42 - Phil Spencer & Call of Duty’s Future on PlayStation 00:12:20 - Will Elder Scrolls VI Be Xbox Exclusive? 00:21:05 - Where Are the First Party Exclusives? 00:48:17 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 567Fallout 4 Goes Next-Gen and the Future of Fallout – Unlocked 567
Fallout 4 is getting a next-gen update for Xbox Series X|S, but is it going to be the only Fallout we get on this generation of Xbox consoles? We lament just how far away Fallout 5 probably is. Plus: Xbox sales figures continue to impress, we're concerned about the departures of the Rocksteady co-founders, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Fallout 4 Next Gen News! 00:17:10 - Xbox Sales & Game Pass are on Fire 00:29:04 - Silent Hill is Coming Back in a Big Way 00:37:03 - More News! 00:47:28 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 566Xbox & PlayStation’s Activision-Blizzard Battle Gets Weird(er) – Unlocked 566
The Microsoft-vs.-Sony drama over Xbox's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard took another turn for the weird this week. We examine each company's latest effort to hilariously downplay themselves and talk up the other guy. Plus: our quick impressions of the just-released Xbox exclusive Scorn and the next-gen only, Game-Pass-day-one stealth adventure A Plague Tale: Requiem; Obsidian's future with Fallout, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Scorn Impressions! 00:12:20 - The Microsoft/Sony Soap Opera 00:39:11 - Microsoft Lays Off Close to 1000 Employees 00:41:26 - Obsidian’s Fallout Future & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 565Xbox Game Pass Makes Bank – Unlocked 565
We finally get some real numbers from Xbox Game Pass, including how much revenue it generated last year and how much Xbox is paying for the Ark games on Game Pass. Plus: one of the developers of Scorn joins us to discuss the imminent new body-horror adventure game, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Housekeeping 00:03:28 - Xbox Game Pass Generates Billions 00:13:38 - Ark 2 on Game Pass 00:22:42 - Deathloop Takes Place in the Dishonored Universe? 00:29:20 - Scorn Dev Interview with Lazar Mesaros 00:49:25 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 564The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2: What We Think of CDPR’s Bold Roadmap – Unlocked 564
We kick off this week's show with our hands-on impressions of Gotham Knights. Then, we spend the bulk of the show discussing the 10-year roadmap released by CD Projekt Red -- five Witcher games, a new Cyberpunk, and a new IP. Was it a good idea for them to be THIS transparent? What do we want out of new Cyberpunk and Witcher games? We talk about all that and more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Housekeeping 00:04:10 - Gotham Knights Preview Impressions! 00:14:13 - CD Project Red Announces Future Roadmap 01:04:48 - Is Legacy of Kain Making a Return? 01:11:05 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 563Who Should Make a New Ninja Gaiden? – Unlocked 563
00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:48 - Our Thoughts on the Modern Warfare II Beta 00:11:18 - Grounded v1.0 is here! 00:14:44 - Team Ninja is Open to Outsourcing Ninja Gaiden? 00:30:14 - Splinter Cell Remake is Getting Rewritten? 00:43:24 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 562GTA 6’s Reveal Was Ruined. Now What? – Unlocked 562
Grand Theft Auto 6 gameplay was leaked via a hacker. So now what? What do we think of the return to Vice City? What, if anything, will change about Rockstar's plan to show us the game on their terms. We discuss that as well as Diablo 4's upcoming endgame beta, hands-on impressions from the surprise demo of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:11:35 - Thoughts on the Rockstar GTA VI Leak 00:23:27 - Going Back to Vice City 00:42:38 - Over 40 Minutes of Diablo IV Gameplay Leaked 00:53:18 - What Does the Rest of 2022 Look Like? 00:57:10 - UK Investigates Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision/Blizzard 01:15:12 - Deathloop Comes to Xbox Game Pass 01:17:12 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 561Jim Ryan Isn’t Happy About Call of Duty and Xbox – Unlocked 561
Our Xbox crew discusses a significant management shake-up at the top of 343 Industries, Sony boss Jim Ryan's public airing of Call of Duty-related grievances against Phil Spencer and Microsoft, the biggest news from the weekend's Disney/Marvel and Ubisoft showcases, the new Xbox Elite controller, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 560343 Industries and Halo: Is the Arranged Marriage Working? – Unlocked 560
Halo and 343 Industries was an arranged marriage from the start. After the latest sting of bad news – the cancellation of split-screen co-op – we spend an hour discussing 343's past, present, and future with the franchise. Is the arranged marriage working? Should Halo even be a "live service" game? It's a complex topic with no clear answers, but clearly it's time to have the conversation. Plus: September's Xbox Game Pass games, the Game Pass Friends & Family Plan goes live in a test market, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:41 - Halo Devs Cancel Split-Screen Co-op 00:13:10 - What’s Happening at 343 Industries? 01:00:30 - Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family is Coming! 01:13:29 - More Game Pass News & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 559Xbox Game Pass ‘Friends & Family’ Price Speculation – Unlocked 559
IGN's Kat Bailey joins Destin and Ryan to discuss the latest leak surrounding Microsoft's seemingly imminent Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family subscription plan. We speculate what it might cost, and how it further adds to Game Pass's already-amazing value proposition. Plus: we talk Madden NFL 23 and sports video games, debate what we want out of the just-announced new Mafia game (including when we want it to be set), and more! 00:00:00 Intro00:01:14 Madden NFL 2300:11:25 Game Pass Friends and Family00:27:25 New Mafia Game00:37:58 Cyberpunk Team Heist Game from Payday Creator00:44:34 Xbox Games With Gold00:51:10 Unlock-Block Trivia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 558Xbox's Fall Lineup Locks In – Unlocked 558
Xbox brought plenty of content to Gamescom, and now we've got a clear picture of what the holiday lineup looks like for Xbox gamers. Plus: Xbox commits to maintaining Xbox prices after Sony raised the price of PS5 in many major territories, Phil Spencer hints at his next acquisition priorities, and more! 00:00:00 Xbox Highlights at Gamescom 00:23:04 Xbox's Fall line-up 00:37:40 Breaking down Phil Spencer's Bloomberg interview 00:47:42 Unlock-Block Trivia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 557We Deserve a AAA Lord of the Rings Game – Unlocked 557
This week, Ryan’s back from a long needed vacation! We catch up on a new Lord of the Rings game coming from Weta Workshop and Private Division as well as talk about game’s we’re looking forward to hearing about at gamescom next week! We also anticipate Marvel and Disney rolling out a brand new Games Showcase next month! Tons of fun stuff today, so come join us in the comments! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:50 - Private Division Working on a LOTR Game? 00:18:39 - Xbox’s gamescom Showcase News 00:37:10 - Disney & Marvel’s Games Showcase Coming Sept. 9th 00:46:30 - Even More Delays! 00:50:16 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 556Xbox Series S Performance Boost & an Activision Update - Unlocked 556
With the news that the Xbox Series S Performance Boost benefiting developers after direct feedback, the Podcast Unlocked crew discusses the success of the Series S console and why they like it. In addition Activision Blizzard not only covered off on an upcoming Modern Warfare stream in the coming months, but there were also a few news bits about the merger with Microsoft that we missed last week. There was a hefty bit of news to discuss this week so join us as we discuss each story together this week on IGN's Podcast Unlocked. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:47 - Xbox Series S to Get a Performance Boost 00:13:30 - Call of Duty: Next Announced 00:30:45 - Xbox Game Pass Tests Out a Family Plan 00:37:00 - Marvel’s Midnight Suns Delayed 00:43:28 - Even More News! 00:53:53 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 555Xbox Making Great Moves for Team Chat, Less so for Summer Events – Unlocked 555
00:00:00 - Intro & Discord is Coming to Xbox! 00:06:57 - What Other Things Should Xbox Improve? 00:15:18 - Halo Infinite Co-op, No Matchmaking? 00:27:24 - What is the Xbox Summer Spotlight? 00:40:25 - Xbox Game Pass August 00:47:55 - What Are We Playing & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 55417 Big Xbox Games for 2023 – Unlocked 554
00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:08 - Our Thoughts on Ask Dusk Falls & FH5 Hot Wheels DLC 00:08:45 - More Games Delayed to 2023! 00:31:25 - What’s Up with Ubisoft? 00:50:53 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 553Concerns About Halo Infinite’s Future – Unlocked 553
00:00:00 - Intro & SDCC Info! 00:02:18 - Halo Infinite Co-op Campaign Beta is great! 00:13:15 - Halo Veteran Devs Start a New AAA Studio 00:39:56 - Grounded Gets a TV Adaptation 00:47:58 - As Dusk Falls & New Game Pass Games 00:55:00 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 552Halo Fans Rejoice! Legendary Halo 2 E3 Demo To Be Released – Unlocked 552
00:00:00 - Intro 00:08:56 - Halo 2 Earthcity Demo Returning? 00:27:00 - Respawn Hiring for an Unannounced Single Player Game 00:36:03 - Skull and Bones Finally Gets a Release Date 00:45:55 - Games with Gold Removing Xbox 360 Games Soon 00:50:25 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 551How Far Away Is Mass Effect 5? - Unlocked 551
00:00:00 - Intro & GotG writer Mary DeMarle joins BioWare 00:24:01 - Ubisoft 'Multi-Game' Showcase Coming in September 00:34:04 - GTA IV and Read Dead Redemption remasters scrapped? 00:41:56 - New Co-op mode for Halo Infinite 00:49:12 - Game Pass Games for July 00:54:40 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 550Hell Freezes Over: Xbox Outsells PS5 in Japan - Unlocked 550
0:00 - Intro 1:25 - Xbox Outsells PlayStation in Japan 22:57 - Halo Master Chief Collection Gets Microtransactions 43:39 - Will Microsoft Change Blizzard's Microtransaction Tactics? 51:38 - Overwatch 2 Replacing Original Game 59:10 - July Xbox Games With Gold 1:00:11 - DICE Doubling Down on Battlefield 1:06:54 - Tony Hawk 3 and 4 Remasters Cancelled 1:11:31 - Trivia and Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 549Our Xbox Showcase Top Picks
We take one last, definitive look back on the Xbox Showcase and the Xbox Showcase Extended now that the dust has settled. We've got some constructive criticism for Microsoft, but we also gush about our favorite games from the event, such as High on Life, Forza Motorsport, Redfall, and Starfield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 548Xbox Showcase Live Reactions
If you missed it when it aired live, here's our reaction show immediately following the Xbox Showcase from Sunday, June 12. We discussed the long-awaited gameplay reveal of Starfield, what Xbox's exclusive lineup for the rest of this year looks like, Redfall, Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 reactions, our favorite games of the show, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices