@gameoverthirty
I work at a big corporate thing. I discuss the business of video games. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RallyCarDelta Podcast: https://concisegamereviews.podbean.com/ Long Form Writing: https://gameoverthirty.com/
2/ However, if a developer already has a project in motion, they can continue to build it under the XDK, and it will run perfectly fine on Helix console. I assume MSFT will keep the XDK supported for many years due to patching and support requirements.
1/ This is what I was referring to earlier when discussing when / how MSFT is going to ask that developers follow the unified GDK.
It is looking more likely that it does indeed start on Helix devkits. Meaning, if you're game starts on a Helix devkit, it will built under the unified GDK.
Microsoft reiterated how it should now be faster / easier to get a game moved from PC to #Xbox, using the new GDK process.
developer.microsoft.com/en-us/games/...
Maybe missing holiday 2027? Maybe. Probably?
Additional Info: www.ign.com/articles/mic...
The #Xbox keynote presentation covered most of the bases we were expecting. However, they didn't really say anything about sunsetting the XDK specifically. Instead, the focus seems to be on asking developers to consider what Helix brings to the table and use Play Anywhere.
NCSoft is now the publisher for DEFECT.
This is the #Xbox GDC talk that I'd like to see if I was in another profession.
3/ If they reveal something else, or deviate from that path, I'll be surprised. Maybe it will be interesting, maybe it will be boring, but let's find out.
2/ We already know the broad brush strokes of the future Xbox platform. MSFT wants developers using one development kit / SDK. They will entice developers by explaining that future games will be built on the windows standard, thus they won't need to build / compile two versions.
1/ Remember, GDC is a conference focused on developers. We shouldn't expect some shocking reveal from #Xbox, but rather clarifications on how development will work for future hardware & Windows.
Additionally, I strongly suspect REDSEC didn't hit F2P expectations.
Once the Lehto project(s) collapsed, I have to assume EA was left with many employees all redirected to getting BF6 out the door.
I have a hunch we're seeing the results of that over-hiring and the now defunct idea that there was going to be a BF universe.
Many years ago, when we saw EA hiring for their concept of the bigger #Battlefield universe, I had my doubts any of it would actually get released.
The broader games industry focus is reduction in team size, while still producing content / updates. Even if #Battlefield6 retained higher CCU consistency, these layoffs likely would have occurred at some level.
www.ign.com/articles/ea-...
Dynamic pricing in games is the current nonsensical blame game.
Since supply is effectively infinite with digital games, pricing reflects demand (or lack thereof).
And I'm also a big proponent of individual sales offers (targeted discounts). Dynamic pricing is generally a money saver individuals.
Social media fiction is the dumbest kind of fiction. The idea that any executive would offer up a "blank check" is just complete nonsense.
In fact, this kind of conversation is much more boring than you think.
Someone might want to let GK know how that Xbox Series units actually work. They are already"PC based Xbox hardware devices."
MSFT has been producing glorified Hypervisor machines since Xbox One.
Obviously Helix is a step above that, but it's OK to say the word "console." 😄
The technology to do what they want already exists. For anything built on the Xbox SDK, all they need to do is run an Xbox console hypervisor session. I'm 90% certain that's his current Xbox games (console licenses) will work.
Future games will be developed with the standard Windows SDK.
Xbox EVP / CEO confirms the next Xbox console will play PC and Xbox games (as we expected). Codename is Project Helix.
A "return of Xbox."
I'll wait to see the release version, but everything about #ControlResonant looks better than the first game (in my humble opinion).
Don't get me wrong, Control wasn't a bad game, but I spun off it fairly quickly. This game looks more my style.
news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/0...
This was the very first thing I said when the rumor broke.
All that nonsense about "protecting the brand" is nothing more than a smokescreen for the real underlying reason: It's cost cutting (margin protection).
And so be it, but let's stop pretending this is about the #PlayStation brand.
Given the underwhelming sales of #KillingFloor3, I don't see how it's possible to avoid the layoffs with the current outlook.
On one hand, obviously the game failed to excite buyers, but on the other hand, market saturation is still taking its toll on the overall industry.
(I actually enjoy KF3.)
To be clear, not all game companies are seeing this type of response. It depends heavily on their product mix. The lesson, though, is that PC is in a very different place today. It's one of the only remaining growth markets (generally speaking) and it exists in places where console does not.
Capcom 9mo consolidated trajectory of PC + Console unit sales.
Pretending the games industry is the same type of industry as it was 10 years ago is nonsense. Look back even further and you start to realize just how much has changed.
Capcom is a company that thrives from catalog sales.
While nothing can escape cash flow (down on cash via previous report), Capcom often drives a healthy margin from their back catalog (probably one of the best in the business).
Highguard engaged over 2M players after it launched on Jan 26, 2026.
Highguard will shut down on March 12, 2026.
x.com/PlayHighguar...
I think the natural progression is that some (a select group) will probably want "more" focused games and end up gravitating to specific console and PC games.
But...
Like you said, most of them won't. At the same time, there's an argument they wouldn't have done so anyway. 🤷♂️
The kids are playing Roblox. All of them.
More importantly, when the kids are playing Roblox, they aren't playing something else.
naavik.co/deep-dives/t...
Does Xbox need a "gamer" CEO / EVP?
No, because the entire point of a CEO is to build a functional organization, not run it themselves.
youtube.com/shorts/aMfRk...