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Save State Plus
Save State Plus
Author: Destin Legarie
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© Destin Legarie
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Save State Plus is a weekly show dedicated to having conversations about the state of the video game industry. Join us as we have people from all over the industry join to discuss the industry, coverage about the industry, and what the future holds at this specific Save Point in time.
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PlayStation has shut down yet another studio, continuing reports around Bluepoint Games and now Dark Outlaw, and it’s starting to look like a larger trend across Sony’s gaming division, but it wasn't just gaming that was hit.In this video, we break down what’s happening. From canceled projects to restructuring and leadership decisions, the pattern is becoming hard to ignore from the industry. This isn’t just one closure. It’s part of a bigger shift in how PlayStation is operating, and an industry realizing they need change.What does this mean for future PlayStation games, live service strategy, and developers inside Sony?Let’s talk about it.
Huge Xbox News today and a huge thank you to HBADA for sending over the HBADA E3 Pro 2026 Edition. I love the recline feature! Order yours today at Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bqVC8g DESTIN26 or Shopify https://bit.ly/4sEWU5F destin5Xbox is going through a massive shift. A new CEO has taken over, and early reports suggest major changes are already happening across the brand.From potentially cheaper Xbox Game Pass tiers to killing controversial marketing campaigns like “This is an Xbox,” the direction of Xbox may be changing fast.Let's talk about what we learned, what this means for Game Pass pricing, Xbox strategy, and the future of the platform.Sources suggest the new leadership is willing to “question everything” as Xbox tries to win back players and expand its audience.Could this be the reset Xbox needs?
The PS5 Pro just received a significant upgrade to PSSR, and it could change how games look and perform going forward.In a new interview with Digital Foundry, PlayStation architect Mark Cerny explains improvements to PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution), Sony’s AI-driven upscaling technology. These updates aim to improve image clarity, stability, and overall performance across supported titles.In this video, I break down what’s changed, why it matters, and whether the PS5 Pro is finally delivering on its promise.If you care about performance, image quality, and the future of PlayStation hardware, this is one to watc
Xbox Partner Preview March 2026 is officially announced, bringing new third-party game reveals, Game Pass updates, and more. Surprise! Plus New Halo DetailsIn this video, I break down everything confirmed for the Xbox Partner Preview, what Microsoft says to expect, and why recent Halo developments have people speculating about a potential reveal. With new details around Halo’s development and outside studio support, the timing could line up for something unexpected.I cover:• What Xbox confirmed for the Partner Preview• Expected third-party games and Game Pass additions• New Halo details and what they could meanXbox has been building momentum lately, and this event could be another big moment.
Marvel Rivals developers break down how they approach live service design, community feedback, and long-term player engagement.In this interview, the team explains why daily playtesting, fast feedback loops, and player-first decisions are shaping Marvel Rivals differently from other live service games. From hero design to balancing and community-driven updates, this is a rare look at how the game is actually built behind the scenes.If you’ve ever wondered why it's still a top game, this conversation offers a clear answer.
PS5 Pro is about to get some major upgrades.From potential frame generation support to ongoing performance improvements, Sony is quietly preparing significant changes that could reshape how games run on PlayStation hardware.In this video, we break down what Mark Cerny has said about frame generation, what it could mean for PS5 Pro performance, and how Sony’s evolving strategy could impact future PlayStation games.If these upgrades land, PS5 Pro could see a huge boost in visual quality and frame rates.
Xbox is going through another major transition.Recent departures, new leadership roles, and hiring moves suggest Microsoft is continuing to reshape its gaming strategy. From expansion in key regions like Japan to changes behind the scenes, these moves could have a big impact on the future of Xbox.In this video, we break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it could mean for Xbox moving forward.
Death Stranding 2 is pushing visual fidelity to the next level, but how does it actually perform at 4K on PS5 Pro vs a high-end RTX 5090 PC?In this video, I take a look side-by-side at image quality, performance, and differences between console optimization and maxed-out PC settings. The PC version features unlocked frame rates, DLSS, frame generation, and ultrawide support, while PS5 Pro leverages PSSR upscaling and optimized console performance.Is the gap as big as you think, or has PS5 Pro closed it?Tested using DLSS Upscaling, the default setting on PC. I also looked at PICO which looked similar for the intro section, but let me know if you'd like to see more!
The gaming industry layoffs aren’t slowing down.Ubisoft has reportedly ended development at its Red Storm studio, resulting in over 100 job losses, while Crystal Dynamics continues restructuring with additional layoffs. These cuts come as the industry struggles with rising costs, shifting priorities, and ongoing instability across major studios.At the same time, Crimson Desert is already making waves for the wrong reasons. Early reviews have been mixed, and Pearl Abyss saw its stock drop nearly 30% after expectations didn’t match reality.In this video, I break down what’s happening across the industry, why layoffs keep happening, and what Crimson Desert’s reception could mean for the future of AAA games.
I sat down with the Where the Winds Meet developers at GDC 2026 to talk about the game’s mixed critical reception and why players still embraced it.We discuss how the team handled criticism, what surprised them most after launch, and how they balance player feedback with their original vision. The conversation also touches on China’s growing influence in game development, free-to-play sustainability, and the challenges facing Western AAA budgets.After the interview, I also got hands-on with the game and took down one of its early bosses.If you’re curious about the future of Where the Winds Meet and what comes next, this is a fascinating look behind the scenes.Subscribe for more interviews, previews, and industry insight.
Starfield is officially coming to PlayStation 5 on April 7 alongside its biggest update yet. Bethesda is launching the game day-and-date with the Free Lanes update and the Terran Armada story DLC, marking a major expansion of the core experience and a significant shift in platform strategy.Free Lanes introduces interplanetary travel within systems through a new cruise mode, allowing players to move between planets, encounter dynamic events, and interact with their ship and crew in real time. The update also adds X-Tech, a new system for crafting and upgrading gear with legendary modifiers, expanded outpost building tools, shared storage, new points of interest, and additional vehicles.Terran Armada is a new story-driven DLC featuring new enemies, questlines, locations, and rewards, while additional Trackers Alliance content continues to expand the bounty hunting experience.The PlayStation 5 version includes full DualSense support with adaptive triggers, lightbar integration, and controller features, along with PS5 Pro enhancements offering both performance and visual modes.Starfield launches on PS5 at $49.99, with a $69.99 Premium Edition. Existing Premium owners on Xbox and PC will receive the Terran Armada DLC at no additional cost.This release represents the most complete version of Starfield to date and signals a major moment for both the game and Xbox’s evolving platform strategy.
I got extended hands-on time with Pragmata, and after going beyond the demo, it’s clear this game has more going on than Capcom has shown so far.In this preview, I explore the main hub area, take on a massive boss fight, and break down the relationship between the main character and the mysterious girl. I also encountered new enemy types and got a better understanding of how combat and puzzle mechanics work together.Pragmata is starting to take shape in a meaningful way, and some of its most interesting ideas don’t fully come through in the demo alone.This is not a review, but if you’re curious about Pragmata or wondering whether it stands out, this should give you a clearer picture of what Capcom is building.
NVIDIA just revealed DLSS 5 and pitched it as a major leap for graphics, using AI-powered neural rendering to add more photoreal lighting and materials to games. But instead of excitement, the reveal sparked a wave of backlash from players, artists, and tech watchers who think it looks less like an upgrade and more like AI slop. Let’s talk about why DLSS 5 is already so divisive.
How do independent developers actually get their games on Xbox?In this interview, I sit down with ID@Xbox leader Guy Richards to talk about how Microsoft is helping small teams publish games on console, PC, handheld, and cloud.We discuss how the publishing process works today, why Xbox wants to remove hurdles for indie developers, and how small studios can pitch their games directly to the platform.Richards also explains how Xbox is helping developers reach players across multiple devices, why innovation often comes from smaller teams, and what indie developers should do if they want their game to stand out.If you’ve ever wondered how indie games actually make it onto Xbox, this conversation breaks down the process.
Xbox is already making big changes to its ecosystem in 2026, and one of them may not go over well with fans. Microsoft appears to be quietly moving away from its controversial “This Is an Xbox” marketing push while introducing new initiatives like Gaming Copilot and continuing to expand Xbox beyond traditional consoles.⚔️Join Heroes of History now using my link https://innogames.sng.link/Abqbt/rrb2/o7ku&label=Destin and enter code DESTIN to get a head start against Anubis⚡Available only for new players! #HeroesofHistoryPartnerIn this video I break down what these shifts could mean for the future of Xbox. From changes in messaging and platform strategy to new AI tools and ecosystem updates, Microsoft’s long-term vision for Xbox may already be evolving faster than people realize.Is Xbox redefining what the platform actually is? And could some of these changes upset longtime fans? Let’s talk about it.
Marvel Rivals Executive Producer Danny Koo says the hero shooter genre is just getting started. In this interview we talk about why Marvel Rivals has taken off, how the team plans content nearly a year in advance, and why community feedback is critical for making a live service game work.We also discuss the philosophy behind designing Marvel Rivals characters, how abilities and hero identities are translated from Marvel lore into gameplay, and how the team created original characters like Luna Snow. Koo explains how playtest data, surveys, and community feedback help the developers refine the game before and after launch.We also talk about the challenges of launching live service games today, the state of the games industry, and why the team believes there’s still room for more hero shooters in the market.
Xbox has officially revealed early details about its next-generation console, Project Helix, during a Game Developers Conference presentation.The new Xbox hardware is being developed with AMD and is designed to play both Xbox console games and PC games, marking a major step toward unifying the Xbox and Windows ecosystems. Developers were also told the system will feature a custom AMD chip, next-generation ray tracing, and new machine-learning powered rendering technology.Microsoft says alpha dev kits could arrive in 2027, suggesting the next Xbox generation may still be a few years away. The company also discussed broader plans to unify development across Xbox and Windows and expand features like Xbox Play Anywhere.In this video we break down everything revealed at GDC and what it means for the future of Xbox.
Bungie’s Marathon is finally here. The studio behind Halo and Destiny is entering the extraction shooter space with a fast-paced PvPvE experience focused on loot, survival, and tense extractions. In this review, I break down what works, what doesn’t, and whether Marathon actually has the potential to become the next big shooter for Sony.The gunplay feels exactly like you’d expect from Bungie, tight, responsive, and satisfying. But the UI and onboarding feel strange, and that could hold the game back for new players.Marathon launched March 5, 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S as a team-based extraction shooter where players loot gear and attempt to escape before losing everything on death. So does Marathon have the juice to compete in the extraction shooter genre? Let’s talk about it.
IGN rports that Electronic Arts has laid off developers across multiple Battlefield studios just months after the record-breaking launch of Battlefield 6. Teams at DICE, Criterion, Ripple Effect, and Motive were all impacted as EA restructures its Battlefield organization.According to IGN report, the layoffs are part of internal changes meant to better align development around Battlefield’s future and ongoing live service support. The move highlights the ongoing wave of layoffs across the gaming industry, even for teams behind successful releases.In this video we break down what happened at EA, why Battlefield Studios are seeing cuts after a major launch, and what it could mean for the future of the Battlefield franchise.#battlefield #battlefield6 Source https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-lays-off-staff-across-all-battlefield-studios-following-record-breaking-battlefield-6-launchhttps://ir.ea.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2025/EA-Announces-Agreement-to-be-Acquired-by-PIF-Silver-Lake-and-Affinity-Partners-for-55-Billion/default.aspx
Microsoft leadership is sending a clear message about the future of Xbox. During an internal discussion hosted by Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella spoke about the company’s long-term commitment to gaming.The conversation comes during a period of major transition for Xbox leadership and strategy. Microsoft continues to position gaming as an important part of its ecosystem, even as the company evolves its approach to hardware, platforms, and Game Pass.In this video we break down what Microsoft’s message means for the future of Xbox, the gaming division’s leadership changes, and where Microsoft may be heading next in the gaming industry.#xbox #xboxnews #gamingnewsSubscribeSource https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-hosted-microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-we-will-always-invest-in-gaming




