Save State Plus

Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter says the next Xbox console might already be dead, arguing that Microsoft’s heavy focus on Xbox Game Pass and a $30 Ultimate tier has weakened the value of owning Xbox hardware. In this video, we break down what Pachter means, how his stance has shifted from earlier predictions, and what this debate says about the future of Xbox consoles, Game Pass strategy, and the wider gaming industry. Based on the Wccftech report.

Former Xbox executive Peter Moore explains why he believes Xbox still has a real chance to succeed, even after years of criticism, strategic missteps, and shifting leadership. Moore discusses the importance of listening to players, lessons from Xbox’s past, and what the platform needs to do to regain trust with gamers. This video breaks down Moore’s comments from his GamesBeat interview and what they signal about Xbox’s future, leadership direction, and long-term strategy.

Highguard’s failure happened faster than almost anyone expected. New reporting reveals the internal decisions, development challenges, and business factors that led to the game’s collapse shortly after launch.This breakdown from Bloomberg covers what went wrong with Highguard, including leadership decisions, production scope, live-service expectations, player retention issues, and why financial support was ultimately withdrawn. It also explains how Highguard fit into the broader multiplayer shooter market and why it struggled to gain traction despite significant backing.By examining confirmed reporting and timelines, this video documents how Highguard went from a highly anticipated live-service shooter to one of the most notable game failures of 2026.

Ex-Microsoft Game Studios head Ed Fries says he’s not worried that new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma doesn’t have direct gaming experience — and he explains why her leadership can still work for Xbox’s future. We dig into the leadership shift at Microsoft Gaming, Spencer’s legacy, and how this transition could shape Xbox going forward.Read the original GamesBeat interview by Dean Takahashi here: https://gamesbeat.com/ex-microsoft-games-leader-not-worried-new-xbox-ceo-has-no-games-experience-ed-fries-interview/I also reference the Sarah Bond Bloomberg Articlehttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-09-20/xbox-president-sarah-bond-predicts-the-future-of-microsoft-s-next-game-console?embedded-checkout=true

First reviews of Resident Evil Requiem are in, and after spending a limited amount of time with the game myself, it’s already left a strong first impression. This is not a full review, but the opening hours showcase confident design choices, smart pacing, and a tone that feels very deliberate for the franchise.In this video, I break down what’s working so far, how Requiem compares to recent Resident Evil entries, and what the broader industry response has been. Even with limited playtime, it’s easy to see why this could become a meaningful evolution for the series.These are early impressions based on limited playtime, not a final verdict.

Breaking news. Xbox’s new CEO, Asha Sharma, has given her first major interview, and her message is clear. Nothing is off the table. In a wide-ranging conversation, Sharma discusses Xbox’s future, leadership changes, console commitment, and how the company is reassessing its strategy after months of uncertainty. She addresses fan concerns, the idea of a “return to Xbox,” and whether anything is truly off limits as Microsoft looks ahead. This interview offers the clearest signal yet of where Xbox may be heading next, and why major changes are still on the table. Source: Windows Central exclusive interview. https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/exclusive-talking-to-new-xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-and-cco-matt-booty

Former Xbox creator Seamus Blackley is sounding the alarm, claiming Xbox is being quietly “sunsetted” inside Microsoft. In a new interview, Blackley argues that Microsoft’s leadership priorities have shifted away from traditional console gaming and toward AI, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise services — with Xbox increasingly treated as a legacy business rather than a growth pillar. He points to recent executive changes, including the appointment of AI-focused leadership, as evidence that Xbox’s long-term identity may be changing. Is Xbox being deprioritized. Or is this a strategic evolution toward a platform-agnostic future built around Game Pass, cloud streaming, and services. In this video, I break down exactly what Blackley said, the broader context around Microsoft Gaming’s recent restructuring, and what this could realistically mean for Xbox players, developers, and the future of the brand.

A bombshell report from Tom Warren at the Verge suggests Sarah Bond was pushed out of Xbox following internal tension, leadership friction, and concerns from people familiar with the situation. Insiders describe her as “tough to work with,” raising bigger questions about Xbox’s culture, recent leadership changes, and the broader shakeup happening inside Microsoft Gaming.In this video, I break down what’s being claimed, and what this means for Xbox’s future strategy as it navigates restructuring, studio pressure, and executive turnover.What do you think is really happening inside Xbox?#xbox #sarahbond #xboxnews #microsoftgaming #gamingindustrySource: https://www.theverge.com/tech/883015/microsoft-xbox-new-ceo-shakeup-notepad?view_token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpZCI6IkpYeERHeWF6NUwiLCJwIjoiL3RlY2gvODgzMDE1L21pY3Jvc29mdC14Ym94LW5ldy1jZW8tc2hha2V1cC1ub3RlcGFkIiwiZXhwIjoxNzcyMjkwNjAwLCJpYXQiOjE3NzE4NTg2MDB9.getJ-3kspePX7CrVmely9uWHy0nEaJuj6YCKKbJMCfU&utm_medium=gift-link

Phil Spencer is officially retiring after more than a decade leading Xbox, marking the end of one of the most influential eras in Microsoft Gaming history. Microsoft confirmed Spencer will remain in an advisory role through the transition as new leadership takes over.At the same time, Sarah Bond is also departing Microsoft, closing the chapter on a leadership team that helped shape Xbox’s platform strategy, Game Pass expansion, cloud gaming push, and major acquisitions. Microsoft has named Asha Sharma as the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming, with Matt Booty elevated to Chief Content Officer.This video breaks down what Phil Spencer’s retirement really means for Xbox, why Sarah Bond is moving on, how Microsoft is restructuring its gaming division, and what these changes signal for the future of Xbox consoles, studios, and strategy.

Veteran games journalist Stephen Totilo from GameFile.news joined me for a conversation about the evolution of gaming journalism, parenting in a digital gaming world, and the rise of platforms like Roblox.Totilo and I discussed what was and the rise of publications like GameFile, and why modern games media is more fragmented than ever. The discussion covers online safety for kids, how social media reshaped news consumption, why court cases matter for uncovering industry truths, and why video is becoming essential for journalists going forward.This episode explores the realities of running a media business, balancing quality reporting with sustainability, and how journalism adapts in an industry driven by platforms, algorithms, and player behavior.See more Stephen at https://www.gamefile.news/Subscribe Here! https://www.youtube.com/c/thedestinchannel?sub_confirmation=1Become a member to support this channel!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgUOWrjLEhmHE9tqYtoeS_g/join00:00 Introduction to Stephen Totilo's Career 02:49 Unique Interview Techniques in Gaming Journalism 06:00 Parenting and Gaming: Balancing Exposure and Experience 08:47 Concerns with Online Gaming: A Parent's Perspective 12:05 The Roblox Phenomenon: Opportunities and Risks 15:04 The State of Gaming Journalism and Media 17:51 Building Gamefile: A New Era in Gaming Journalism 21:05 The Future of Video Content in Gaming Journalism 27:42 The Evolution of Gaming Journalism 32:32 The Impact of Social Media on News Consumption 37:01 The Importance of Court Cases in Gaming 48:50 Analyzing the Fallout of High Guard's Launch 54:51 The Passion Behind Journalism

I sat down with Andrew Eiche, studio head at Owlchemy Labs, to talk about why the games industry is struggling right now and what this moment of contraction actually means.We discuss how funding expectations have warped game development, why investors chase only massive breakout hits, and how that pressure stifles innovation across both VR and traditional games. Andrew explains why this downturn feels less like a collapse and more like a reset, similar to past industry corrections, and what tends to emerge on the other side.The conversation also covers Meta’s influence on VR studios, the risks of being locked to a single platform, how generative AI hype is already cooling investor confidence in games, and why discovery and sustainability matter more than ever. Andrew shares insight into how studios survive these cycles, why mid-sized and niche games often endure, and what developers are quietly preparing for as the market recalibrates.This is a candid, developer-led look at the financial realities shaping the future of games and why the industry may need this reset to move forward.

I sat down with Devin Reimer, co-founder of Astrobeam and former Owlchemy Labs co-founder, to talk candidly about where VR gaming stands today and what developers believe comes next. We discuss why Devin left Owlchemy to start Astrobeam, the importance of VR-native controls, and why the industry feels stuck in a holding pattern right now. Devin also shares his three-year outlook for VR, thoughts on Meta’s recent pullback, wearables, fitness-driven VR, and what developers often get wrong when designing immersive experiences. The conversation touches on Stellar Cafe, startup runway and sustainability, LLM-powered NPCs, ethical AI use in games, and what still gives developers reason to be optimistic about VR’s future. This is an honest, developer-focused discussion about VR’s growing pains, its missed opportunities, and what it will take for the medium to truly break through.

In this interview, Denis Dyack explains why innovation disappeared from AAA games and why he’s trying to build something that can outlive servers, platforms, and shifting business models.We talk about Deadhaus Sonata, player ownership, live-service shutdowns, why modern games feel disposable, and how AAA development became risk-averse despite unlimited resources. Dyack also reflects on Silicon Knights, Legacy of Kain, game engines, moderation, Gamergate, and what kind of legacy he can still leave behind.This is a long, honest conversation about where he believes games lost their way and what comes next.(00:00) Intro(01:36) Deadhaus Sonata Explained(03:48) Legacy of Kain Inspirations & Comparisons(07:02) The Tarot System & Why It’s Different(08:50) Deadhaus Sonata’s Story & Worldbuilding(15:50) Who You Play As in Deadhaus(19:40) How Player Choices Shape Outcomes(23:00) Community-Created Stories(24:38) Community Marketplace & Compensation(26:00) Denis Dyack on Legacy & Mortality(32:23) Why AAA Games Look Better but Play Worse(34:10) What’s Broken in AAA Development(38:15) Legacy, Memory & What Games Leave Behind(44:30) NFTs, Ownership & Misused Technology(47:00) When “Gamers” Became a Dirty Word(49:30) Casual vs Hardcore Design(50:50) Gamergate, Ethics & What Changed(54:03) Moderation in 2026(56:10) The State of Online Conversation(58:45) Who Should You Hire Today?(01:03:10) Staffing, Team Size & Industry Issues(01:05:38) Nintendo’s Treehouse Philosophy(01:20:00) Working With Hideo Kojima

Anthem is now offline forever. In this exclusive postmortem, BioWare Executive Producer Mark Darrah explains what really happened to Anthem, what Anthem NEXT was supposed to be, and how the game’s failure reshaped Dragon Age Veilguard Mass Effect 5 and the future of BioWare.This Anthem retrospective covers the internal fallout from BioWare’s live-service experiment, why Anthem NEXT was canceled, and how its collapse changed the studio’s future RPGs. Featuring candid insight from BioWare insider Mark Darrah, this interview connects the dots between Anthem, Dragon Age, and Mass Effect in a way that has never been publicly explained.If you’ve ever wondered why BioWare feels different after Anthem, this is the real story of how Anthem died and what it left behind.(00:00) Intro(01:56) How Mark feels Now That it's Gone(03:00) Will EA Bring Anthem Back?(04:26) No One Played It Before Launch?(07:40) What Would Have Saved Anthem?(09:00) Secrets Ruined Anthem(12:05) The Flight Problem(13:45) Was Jason Schreier Right?(15:15) Casey's Vision was Unrealistic(18:55) Why Not Call Casey?(19:28) Threatened by Leadership(23:25) Who Was Really in Charge(24:20) BioWare Leverage Lost(28:05) Anthem NEXT (29:45) Was Anthem Profitable?(31:20) What was Anthem NEXT?(32:15) Dedicated vs P2P Servers Killed Anthem(33:55) Anthem Affect on Dragon Age(35:55) Will Anthem Hurt Mass Effect 5?(37:40) Setting the Record Straight

I sat down with Mikey Spano, Chief Creative Officer at Squanch Games, to talk about High on Life 2, launching February 13. We dig into the realities of finishing a comedy-driven game, why humor is one of the hardest things to pull off in games, and how Squanch balances creative ambition with the risks facing modern studios.We also talk about funny games that actually work, why big studios struggle to take risks, how indie games break through via virality, and what players should expect from High on Life 2’s guns, humor, and final act. If you’re curious about comedy in games, indie versus AAA development, or where the industry is headed, this conversation goes deeper than most.

Netflix’s planned buyout of WB Games has taken a surprising turn, with Paramount now emerging as a potential challenger to the deal, adding new pressure to one of the biggest gaming acquisitions in years. This comes alongside major industry shifts across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and PC: Microsoft is expanding Xbox manufacturing with Foxconn ahead of GTA 6, Sony has partnered with Bad Robot Games and posted massive Black Friday wins, Death Stranding 2 has appeared on PC listings, Obsidian updated its Avowed roadmap, and Eidos Montréal’s move toward Japan is fueling new Kojima speculation. With EA’s potential buyout by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and fresh updates from Helldivers 2, Marathon, and Nintendo’s latest announcements, today’s news shows how quickly the entire industry is evolving across every platform.

I sat down with Path of Exile 2 Game Director Jonathan Rogers to talk about everything coming in the next major update, including the long-awaited Druid class, the design challenges behind Wolf, Bear, and Wyvern forms, and how 0.4 moves POE2 closer to full release. Jonathan also explains how the team is improving performance, expanding endgame goals, and preparing players for what comes next.We also dig deeper into GGG’s design philosophy, why the studio has “always been against dark patterns,” and how their approach to monetization and player trust shapes the future of the game. Jonathan shares why he personally wrote the gameplay code for the new league, how POE2 compares to POE1, and why he feels AAA studios “aren’t where the action is” anymore as indie hits gain momentum.Whether you're excited for the Druid, curious about the release timeline, interested in ARPG development, or just want more insight into Grinding Gear Games’ approach, this conversation is packed with new info, behind-the-scenes stories, and a few surprises straight from the source.(00:00) Intro(00:36) GGG Favorite New Addition(01:32) Druid's Evolution(04:02) Endgame Grind(05:50) Important(06:25) POE1 vs POE2 SteamDB Figures(09:00) POE1 vs POE2 Satisfaction(11:05) Steam Deck Performance(12:39) Is AAA Innovation Dead?(14:11) Dark Patterns(19:17) Navigating Community Criticism(20:17) GOTY(21:23) Map Inspirations?(23:35) Script Writing(24:20) Consultants(25:35) Proud Accomplishments(27:19) Wyvern Inspirations(27:40) Top Class(30:30) Time Mechanic (31:50) Cosmetics That Didn't Sell(32:30) Excited Topics(32:54) POE2 Release Date(34:38) Class Equiptment(35:09) Druid Beast Forms(35:51) Messing with Streamers(36:09) Flesh Surgeon(36:49) Maps Repeat Q(37:57) Lightning Arrow Buffs(38:29) Endgame(40:29) Druid Hurdles(42:36) Performance Buffs(44:24) Performance Causes(45:17) Wyvern Inspirations(46:16) Druids Uniques(46:45) Druid Skins

I sat down with Dean Hall, CEO of RocketWerkz, to talk about Kitten Space Agency, its surprising public pre-alpha launch, and the tech powering it. We get into the Brutal framework, KSP comparisons, monetization, fundraising, platform strategy, AI in development, the Steam Machine reveal, and the broader shift happening across the games industry. Check out Kitten Space Agency https://ahwoo.com/store/KPbAA1Au/kitten-space-agency(00:00) Intro(00:26) KSA Launch(02:23) Kerbal Reaction(03:23) KSA Tech(05:36) Distribution Strategy(10:06) Fundraising Success(13:00) Monetization(15:10) The Future of Game Dev(17:54) Steam Machine Thoughts(19:58) Platforms Targeted(22:09) Tech in KSA(28:00) AI Thoughts(34:58) Feedback so Far(38:10) GOTY for Dean?(40:18) Shifting Studio Habits

The next generation of gaming hardware is starting to take shape — and Valve might be the one pushing everyone forward.With the Steam Machine revealing early pricing expectations, anti-cheat updates, the 8GB VRAM debate, and AMD’s new FSR Redstone announcement, the industry is already shifting. Xbox and PlayStation aren’t far behind as both companies prepare their own next-gen strategies.In this episode of Save State Plus, we break down what Valve’s latest moves mean for the future of console and PC hardware, how devs are reacting, and where Xbox and PlayStation fit into the picture.Plus.• Fallout Season 2 trailer shows New Vegas, Lucy, The Ghoul, and major lore drops.• Elder Scrolls 6 remains years away, according to Todd Howard.• New Xbox updates including open publishing documentation for all devs.• Halo Operation Infinite preview.• PlayStation updates — PS Portal usage, Ghost of Yotei sales, Destiny 2 performance, Concord servers coming back online.• Early reactions to The Game Awards nominations.Let’s get into it.Subscribe Here! https://www.youtube.com/c/thedestinchannel?sub_confirmation=1Become a member to support this channel!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgUOWrjLEhmHE9tqYtoeS_g/join(00:00) Show Starts(01:11) PC News(10:30) Xbox News(36:26) PlayStation News(45:28) Nintendo News(49:57) Industry News

Valve’s new Steam Machine dropped and instantly set off alarm bells. Between the 8GB VRAM debate, developer concerns, early reactions, and what this means for the PC and console market, the question is simple.Should Xbox be worried right now?In this episode of Save State Plus, we break down the Steam Machine reveal, the industry response, and where Xbox fits into the picture. Plus.• Fallout Season 2 trailer shows New Vegas, Lucy, The Ghoul and major lore drops.• Elder Scrolls 6 is still years away according to Todd Howard.• New Xbox changes including opened publishing documentation for all devs.• Halo Operation Infinite preview.• Big PlayStation updates — PS Portal usage, Ghost of Yotei sales, D2 performance, Concord servers returning.• And early reactions to The Game Awards nominations.It was a wild week. Let’s break it all down.(00:00) Show Starts(00:15) Steam vs Xbox(26:04) Xbox News(30:22) PlayStation News(53:21) Nintendo News(56:15) All Other News