After a lot of rumors, Xbox released a roughly 23-minute podcast in which its heads came together to address the rumors and talk a bit about the future of Xbox. The big takeaway is that four specific, unnamed titles will be coming to other consoles in the future, but Xbox's stance on exclusivity isn't changing otherwise. Oh, and Starfield and Indiana Jones are not one of those four games.

No fundamental changes to exclusitivity

According to Phil Spencer, two of the four games headi?ng to other platforms are community-driven games. The other two are smaller games that were not necessarily built to be console-exclusive in the first place, and so it naturally makes sen??se to expand onto other platforms.

He didn't share which four titles they were, but rather than the development studios would do so when it made sense. The Verge is currently reporting that these four titles are Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Grounded, and Sea of Thieves, which all fit the bill if you line them ??up against those criteria.

"We see an opportunity to utilize the other platforms as a place to just drive more business value out of those games, allowing ?us to invest in maybe future iterations of those, sequels to those, or other games like them in our portfolio."

- Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox

New hardware news on the horizon

Near the end of the podcast, President of Xbo??x Sarah Bond tested some that some Xbox hardware news is coming soon.

"We've got more to come. There's some exciting stuff coming out in hardware that we're going to share this holiday. And we're also invested in the next generation roadmap. And what we're really focused on there is delivering the largest technical leap you will have ever seen in a hardware generation, which makes it better for players and better for creato??rs and the visions that they're building."

- Sarah Bond, President of Xbox

Welcome to the ??early talks of the next generation, folks. Just yesterday Sony also described the PlayStation 5 as entering the "latter half" of its life cycle, so it's no surp?rise to see Xbox planting the seeds for future hardware development.

The podcast ended with Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty teasing that while there are more than 10 major releases coming? up, they will have more games to talk about in the Xbox June Showcase.

So as we predicted, it looks like the truth was somewhere in the middle. Microsoft is bringing some titles that make sense to the other platforms, but not shifting their overall exclusivity focus. No Halo on your PS5 just yet. But Diablo 4 and other Activision Blizzard games will be heading to the Game Pass, if you're eager for some more Xbox g?ames?? in the near future.

The post Xbox is bringing f?our games to other platforms, and teasing hardware news to come appeared first on Destructoid.

A week later, Xbox is ready to share its new business plans with everyone this Wednesday, February 15. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, Pre??sident of Xbox Sarah Bond, and Head of Xbox Gaming Matt Booty are coming together on the official Xbox Podcast at 3 p.m. EST on February 15 to share updates on th??e Xbox business.

Do??es anyone else think it's weird t?his information is coming in podcast format?

No further details were provided, but you have to imagine the focus will be on reports and rumors that Xbox is planning to br??ing some of its exclusive titles to PlayStation. The rumors have shown just how divisive ga??mers can be, with some praising the end of the "console wars" with the hope of games being available on all platforms, while doomsayers claim this is the end of Xbox.

Me? I think the truth is probably somewhere in between. I highly doubt we'll see every Xbox IP come to PlayStation. I wouldn't expect haptic feedback when firing a Needler from Halo on PS5 or anything like that. But at the end of the day Xbox, and Microsoft, are all about that money. For games like Starfield, choosing to be Xbox exclusive essential?ly means leaving money on the ta??ble, especially when over 50 million PS5 units have been sold.

I guess we'll know for sure when Xbox shares its plans on February 15 at 3 p.m. EST. It will be streamed on YouTube and available via Podcast platforms.

The post Xbox business update c??oming via Xbox podcast on Thursday appeared first on Destructoid.

A little something for everyone

Welcome back! It’s another Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of the Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: The crew discusses their favorite games of 2022 and what their most anticipated 2023 games are. That's not all -- Persona 3 is getting a full remake(!?), Square Enix is teasing something big, ??Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Switch OLED may?? have leaked, and more!

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTW?_??P0IBv_Y&ab_channel=SpotDodge

Spot Dodge is a weekly Nintendo Podcast here at Destructoid where we dedicate an hour or two to go over the latest Nintendo n?ews a??nd discuss the games we’re playing. If you’re a fan of Nintendo Switch, RPGs, or having a good time, Spot Dodge will be a great addition to your podcast rotation. So be sure to subscribe!

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special ??guest. Behind the scenes, Gamurs�Eric ?Weichhart is live-editing this week’s show.

Mary is obsessed with RPGs, John is the Yakuza master, Greg Bargas is our live-service fanatic, and Brett Larsen never stops playing Nindies. As for me, I just think Resident Evil 4 is the best game ever made. S??pot Dodge is a?? Nintendo Podcast with a little something for everyone!

Where to find us

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Twitch channel. ICYMI: We now have a dedicated Spot Dodge YouTube channel! All?? future episodes will be live-streamed and uploaded there.

Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. The live video version will remain?? on both YouTube and Twitch (did I mention you should subscribe?) So ma??ny options!

For more from Destructoid's video team, you can also find us on TikTok and YouTube!

The post Check out Destructoid’s Nintendo Podcast, Spot Dodge! appeared first on Destructoid.

Your right hand comes off?

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: The crew discusses the recent showcases for the Resident Evil and Silent Hill franchises. Resident Evil Village Gold Edition looks excellent and Capcom finally shows off a ton of Resident Evil 4 remake. Bloober Team has been tasked with a considerable job remaking Silent Hill 2 -- Can they pull it off? We're also getting a lot more new Silent Hill experiences.

/??/www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUbzX_RqeRI&ab_channel=??Destructoid

Resident Evil 4 remake looks to be shaping up nicely in many ways.?? First, it's absolutely jaw-dr?opping. Second, I'm so glad they're bringing back Leon's acrobatic follow-up attacks in the combat. And third, Leon's hair is perfect.

However, one negative thing that stood out to me was the lack of camp and comedic undertones in the footage we saw. It looks so damn serious. And while the original had its serious moments, it was all wrapped in corny yet lovable dialogue and characters. The original Resident Evil 4 has so many memorable characters from Leon, Ada, and L?uis, to whacky bosses like Bitores "the big cheese" Mendez, Salazar, and the big bad himself?? Roman Sadler. All came equipped with cheesy dialogue, hilarious one-liners, and all-around charming personalities.

The dialogue in RE4 perfectly toed the line between corny and cringey and brought to life a cast of characters that have stuck with so many gamers to this day. With any luck, Capcom is simply keeping things grounded for the marketing, but in the actual game, things are batshit insane like OG Resident Evil 4.

Our lovely cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Esca??pist, Greg Bargas ??from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, Gamurs�Eric Weichhart is live-editing this week’s show.

Spot Dodge is a weekly Nintendo Podcast here at Destructoid wher??e we dedicate an hour or two to go over the l?atest Nintendo news and discuss the games we’re playing. If you’re a fan of Nintendo Switch, RPGs, or having a good time, Spot Dodge will be a great addition to your podcast rotation.

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Don’t be afraid to join the chat and be pa??rt of the show!

Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. The live video version will remain on both YouTube and Twitch (don’t forget t??o follow and subscribe). So many options!

The post Residen??t?? Evil 4 remake first-look lacks what made the original special appeared first on Destructoid.

Platinum Games really needs a win

Welcome back! It is a new Tuesday, which means tonight there will be a new episode of Spot Dodge: A Live Nintendo Podcast exclusively on Destructoid. Topics: The crew discusses the recent controversy regarding PlatinumGames' "insulting" pay offer of $4,000 USD to veteran Bayonetta voice actress Hellena Taylor for the third installment. Brett M and Brett L also share their thoughts on A Plague Tale: Requiem. Spoilers: It's one of the best games of the year.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-KaasBoLBs&ab_chan?nel=Destructoid

There's a lot of missing information regarding Hellena Taylor and her recent trending Twitter videos calling on fans to boycott Bayonetta 3. With that said, Jason Schreier's report from earlier today paints the situation in a totally different light. Either way, we don't know all the facts and it's very likely PlatinumGames will never make a statement. If the low offer of $4,000 is in fact valid, that's just one?? more thing added to the pile of weirdness going on with Platinum lately.

PlatinumGames has had an odd few years. From creating a Kickstarter for the already-completed game Wonderful 101 (which ended up being successful) to the very flagrant and open statements about being acquired or wanting to bring back Scalebound. Not only that, but the company put out one of this year's worst-reviewed games Babylon's Fall (which has already been shut down). Now, this Hellena Taylor controvers??y is just more signs that things aren't going too well at Platinum. Although I'd love to be wrong.

PlatinumGames has released a lot of titles that many consider masterpieces. So it's a damn shame to see this much controversy surrounding a studio with so much great talent. Hideki Kamiya's unorthodox Twitter happenings don't ??help the company's already-crumbling image either.

Our lovely ??cast from around the web: Brett Medlock (me) and Mary Stowe from Destructoid, John Friscia from The Escapist, Greg Bargas from PC Invasion, and Brett Larsen, our extra special guest. Behind the scenes, Gamurs' Eric Weichhart is li?ve-editing this week's show.

Spot Dodge is a weekly Nintendo Podcast here at Destructoid where we dedicate an hour or two to go over the latest Nintendo news and discuss the games we’re playing. If you’re a fan of Nintendo Switch, RPGs, or having a good time, Spot Dodge will be a?? great addition to your podcast rotation.

Spot Dodge is streaming live every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET on Destructoid’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Don’t be afraid to join t?he chat and be part?? of the show!

Afterward, the show will be available on-demand for audio listeners via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. The live video version will remain on both YouTube and Twitch (don’t forg??????????????????????????et to follow and subscribe)?. So many options!

The post What’s going on with PlatinumGames? appeared first on Destructoid.

Kojima is coming at you in audio form

Hideo Kojima is one of the most prolific game developers of all time, and now he's launching his very own podcast to share his expertise with the world. During the Gamescom stream, Geoff brought in his "very good friend" Kojima, who said that while he's known for the games he makes, he?? was "here today to share some other news," that his "podcast program will be available exclusively on Spotify." Kojima will have various guests on the podcast from across various disciplines in the industry, so it looks like we're going to get a pretty in-depth look at the work of a wide variety of developers.

The podcast will be available with both Japanese and English audio, with simultaneous translation. Geoff Keighley will also be involved with a segment to give players up-to-date industry news. The first episode of the podcast will be available in only a few weeks, dropping officially on September 8. The podcast is officially titled Brain Structure, which seems pretty fitting for Kojima and his brand. Kojima is still working on games, by the way �it ??seems that this is just a side project.

So many gamers admire Kojima and all of the work he's done, ?so I'm betting this is going to be a huge success for Spotify. I know I'll be interested in hearing more and seeing what the feel of the podcast is �game development podcasts and be ?a ton of fun, if you're interested in that kind of thing.

The post Hideo Kojima announces podc?ast exclusivel??y for Spotify appeared first on Destructoid.