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[Topher]

 

[SneakersSO]

Can you elaborate on that?

They don't believe its gonna be a HFR or Forza Horizon in terms of reception, or even a Starfield.

I have no context on what reviewers are expecting from this thing, but I have yet to hear anything 'glowing' or even close to it about it.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

Yeah these guys are next, and to be honest they've never been anything other than a creator of bang average games.

I thought Enslaved and DMC were good

 

[Topher]

They don't believe its gonna be a HFR or Forza Horizon in terms of reception, or even a Starfield.

I have no context on what reviewers are expecting from this thing, but I have yet to hear anything 'glowing' or even close to it about it.

 

[rofif]

Doesn’t matter. It’s a 5 hours psychodelic movie. The audience was limited anyway.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

They don't believe its gonna be a HFR or Forza Horizon in terms of reception, or even a Starfield.

I have no context on what reviewers are expecting from this thing, but I have yet to hear anything 'glowing' or even close to it about it.

Ok, thank you.

 

[clarky]

I thought Enslaved and DMC were good

Enslaved was probably the best thing they've done. DMC is, well not DMC, enough said.

 

[Klayzer]

Xbox's marketing department:

Between you and Topher , it's been super entertaining.

 

[XXL]

Xbox's marketing department:

Xbox Marketing Budget Reportedly 'Reduced' In The Wake Of Microsoft Layoffs

Will we hear less from the company in the coming months?

www.purexbox.com

 

[digoutyoursoul]

Enslaved was probably the best thing they've done. DMC is, well not DMC, enough said.

I enjoyed it mate, thought it was good , I do acknowledge why Devil May Cry fans are not keen to say the least. In hindsight it perhaps should have been reworked a little into a new IP instead.

 

[SneakersSO]

Folks forget but this is the 2nd game from NT for MS. Bleeding Edge was the first. Bleeding Edge is also one of the few games whose servers MS actually shutdown in the wake of its reception and engagement, and this is during the GP era. Let that sink in.

 

[nial]

The fact that all the discussion surrounding this game is people accepting that Ninja Theory is next on the chopping block, is just...

 

[TransTrender]

Serious Q....is this MS's only major exclusive right now?

Quick Google search so maybe there's a more up to date or better answer but here's this:

Here's the full list of all the upcoming Xbox exclusives

With Microsoft gearing up for its 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, we've refreshed and updated our list of all the upcoming Xbox exclusives for 2024 and beyond!

www.trueachievements.com

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Dungeons of Hinterberg
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Avowed
Ara: History Untold
Towerborne
33 Immortals
Replaced
Sopa
Dead Static Drive
Ark 2
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Age of Mythology Retold

So Stalker 2 (if it comes), Avowed, and Indiana Jones.

 

[Dr. Samuel Hayden]

Ninja Theory closure
May 22

 

[DeepSpace5D]

Hard to justify a ton of marketing budget when your internal assessment of its reception ain't so hot.

That is honestly surprising to read, especially when I think back on Redfall and when Spencer said their internal assessment of that one was in the double digits higher than the public reception it received. It seemed like their internal assessments of their own games were (perhaps unrealistically) higher than reality. Has that process changed for them?

The first Hellblade was well received wasn’t it? I assumed this sequel would be as well. At least on the surface, it appears to be more of the same with better visuals.

 

[MagiusNecros]

The fact that all the discussion surrounding this game is people accepting that Ninja Theory is next on the chopping block, is just...

I mean after closing Tango by making good games you gotta think that the outlook for Ninja Theory isn't looking so good.

DeepSpace5D Hellblade 1 gives us an idea of what to expect and if it's more of the same I don't think it warrants $50 or more for a 5-8 hour one and done foray.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

That is honestly surprising to read, especially when I think back on Redfall and when Spencer said their internal assessment of that one was in the double digits higher than the public reception it received. It seemed like their internal assessments of their own games were (perhaps unrealistically) higher than reality. Has that process changed for them?

The first Hellblade was well received wasn’t it? I assumed this sequel would be as well. At least on the surface, it appears to be more of the same with better visuals.

I would be surprised if it didn’t review well. It’s obvious Xbox still has a relationship with some outlets who will provide some kind of boost to the critical reception like Starfield.

Basically after what’s happened lately they need a PR win and I think this game and certain media folk are going to do just that.

Personally I’d like to see a genuine great game without all the bullshit that’s been going on.

 

[JCreasy]

It's starting to feel like they expect this game to bomb and no one in marketing wants to be standing next to it when that happens. Everyone is in survival mode.

It's the most corporate posture you can imagine. Overwhelmingly toxic for a game development ecosystem.

 

[digoutyoursoul]

It's starting to feel like they expect this game to bomb and no one in marketing wants to be standing next to it when that happens. Everyone is in survival mode.

It's the most corporate posture you can imagine. Overwhelmingly toxic for a game development ecosystem.

If the game improves on the first somewhat, it won’t be viewed as a dud surely? Or are you talking about sales?

 

[Kilau]

 

[Schmendrick]

I doubt that game is worth purchasing, but maybe it's finally a valid reason for another gamepass trial membership.

 

[DeepSpace5D]

I mean after closing Tango by making good games you gotta think that the outlook for Ninja Theory isn't looking so good.

DeepSpace5D Hellblade 1 gives us an idea of what to expect and if it's more of the same I don't think it warrants $50 or more for a 5-8 hour one and done foray.

Yeah I’m not sure about the game from a value standpoint compared with its price, but I assumed it would be a critical darling based on how the first one was received.

 

[VideoGameEnjoyer]

Serious Q....is this MS's only major exclusive right now?

No

It's not major or exclusive

 

[DeaDPo0L84]

Wonder how the studio is doing...

 

[MagiusNecros]

Yeah I’m not sure about the game from a value standpoint compared with its price, but I assumed it would be a critical darling based on how the first one was received.

I think it really depends on length. If it's the same length I wouldn't pay more then $30. I did enjoy the first game as I liked the psychological horror component. However the lack of exploration and mediocre combat left much to be desired.

 

[Fbh]

Wonder how the studio is doing...

Probably anxiously awaiting to see how the game does , to decide which Idea to pitch to MS next

 

[bender]

They probably laid off whoever was running the Xbox Twitter account and replaced it with an AI that was trained by studying Clippy.

 

[DavidGzz]

Do you even need to advertise these days? Just make a great game and they will come. Hades 2 was shadow dropped and is selling gangbusters. Word of mouth.

 

[Humdinger]

I'm hoping it's a good game. I enjoyed the first. I'm not that excited for the second, but I hope it turns out well. We shall see.

 

[Varteras]

Folks forget but this is the 2nd game from NT for MS. Bleeding Edge was the first. Bleeding Edge is also one of the few games whose servers MS actually shutdown in the wake of its reception and engagement, and this is during the GP era. Let that sink in.

Sounds to me like Ninja Theory isn't far away from the chopping block. Nor The Initiative for that matter, after what came out about Perfect Dark's struggles. Wouldn't be surprised if those two plus World's Edge are closed within the next month or so. That one just always felt like needless overhead to me.

 

[Hayabusabruh]

They could have at the very least added an exclamation mark and a face or something.

 

[Katatonic]

The expectations for this game have been lowered to such a point that as long as it's semi competent it will score well.

 

[LaughingStock]

I loved the first game. But that was AA indie game. What kind of game is Hellblade 2?

 

[JCreasy]

If the game improves on the first somewhat, it won’t be viewed as a dud surely? Or are you talking about sales?

Yup sales. Marketing’s goals will be tied to sales.

 

[Pop]

Sending the game out to die

 

[cash_longfellow]

The fact that these fuckers at MS are just toying with working people’s lives and families right now, and some people here are okay with that, is beyond me.

 

[Buggy Loop]

The fact that these fuckers at MS are just toying with working people’s lives and families right now, and some people here are okay with that, is beyond me.

What?

 

[ByWatterson]

*uploads a png*

 

[StereoVsn]

Almost as impressive as Redfalls May Update

Too soon?

 

[cash_longfellow]

What?

I’ll simplify for you. Buying studios and/or exclusive rights to games and when they bomb or underperform, just flat out closing the studios…good enough for you, or should I expect another “What?” response?

 

[Buggy Loop]

I’ll simplify for you. Buying studios and/or exclusive rights to games and when they bomb or underperform, just flat out closing the studios…good enough for you, or should I expect another “What?” response?

Who are those peoples "here" okay with all this

Do tell

 

[cash_longfellow]

Who are those peoples "here" okay with all this

Do tell

I mean, I’m not going to go back and quote a shit ton of replies from the last three MS closure threads . That’s on you Buggy.

 

[Buggy Loop]

I mean, I’m not going to go back and quote a shit ton of replies from the last three MS closure threads . That’s on you Buggy.

You're confusing meme'ing microsoft management over their shit decisions and not caring for peoples who lost their job. Don't confuse both. I know it's hard.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

This is so fricking pathetic: "look mommy, I'm doing my homework"

 

[cash_longfellow]

You're confusing meme'ing microsoft management over their shit decisions and not caring for peoples who lost their job. Don't confuse both. I know it's hard.

Yep,..understanding is clearly hard for someone here, and it’s not me…good day.

Side note, if you are going to respond with a weak ass “What?”, be prepared to not oversimplify just to try to pin your weak post on me. Thanks.

 

[Buggy Loop]

Yep,..understanding is clearly hard for someone here, and it’s not me…good day.

Side note, if you are going to respond with a weak ass “What?”, be prepared to not oversimplify just to try to pin your weak post on me. Thanks.

You lump a bunch of peoples randomly in a basket and make the claim peoples don't care about lost jobs. The "what" is because your claim while clear, is insane and so fucking out there. GTFO

 

[adamsapple]

Update the OP Banjo64 you coward!

 

[Draugoth]

 

[MayauMiao]

When compared to Playstation's effort:

 

[clarky]

I loved the first game. But that was AA indie game. What kind of game is Hellblade 2?

AA-A