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Defining Duke, Episode 245 | Getting REAL About Xbox Game Pass...
🕑 Added 2025-09-11 16:00:19 +0000 UTCMuch of the conversation surrounding Game Pass and its sustainability has been about whether or not it can turn a profit. The Dukes themselves have pondered on this very subject for dozens of episodes. At this point, Game Pass is here to stay. The conversation has evolved from how much money the service makes to whether or not it dramatically impacts how games are made. At first, PlayStation alumni Shawn Layden brought attention to this subject. While well respected and incredibly knowledgable, many believed that Shawn bled a bit too much blue for their taste and that his points may be biased. That's fair to say, but what happens when many of Xbox's own start to say the same? Much of our conversation is about what Pete Hines, the former SVP of Communication and Marketing at Bethesda, had to say on Xbox's premier service. However, it's really about the fallout from it. Shannon Loftis, a Xbox lifer who spent 20+ years at the company, sang a similar tune to that of Pete and Shawn. Even MachineGames currnet studio head had thoughts on how Game Pass players dip very quickly. Even recently, Larian's own Swen Vincke had his concerns about Game Pass. Raphael Colantonio, formerly of Arkane and now at WolfEye, shared a similar sentiment. While indie and even AA have found a pocket from which they very much benefit from Game Pass, AAA is speaking out. The question remains: Are players willing to listen in the face of such value?
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:17:57 - Health Is Wealth
0:22:02 - Bethesda finally teases Starfield DLC
0:30:16 - Wolfenstein lives on
0:38:37 - Hollow Knight Silksong breaks records
0:51:10 - Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth due out on Xbox in 2026
0:53:27 - Physical games live on for another generation?
1:05:37 - Dead Island 3 on the way
1:12:19 - Helldivers 3 basically confirmed
1:16:05 - Resident Evil 5 Remake isn’t happening
1:22:44 - Old KOTOR Remake concept art leaks
1:24:35 - Metal Gear Delta sells 1 million copies in 2 days
1:25:22 - 2K is making a “college basketball experience” while EA bails
1:34:37 - Batman Arkham Shadow is getting a sequel
1:39:35 - IO Interactive finally talks about Mindseye launch
1:44:20 - What We’re Playing
2:23:54 - Pete Hines opens up on Xbox & Bethesda
3:12:04 - Xbox’s Tokyo Game Show plans
3:20:02 - Game Pass Pick Of The Week
Comments
NeO JD
After the last one, I’m not even sure I want more Starfield DLC. #KetchupDD
Mr. Scott If You're Nasty
I still think you guys are a little too deferential to developers but a great discussion nonetheless. My favorite show on LSM #KetchupDD
Ed
I come from a business background. School and vocation, non of the business side of gaming sounds “surprising” anything that comes with money is very cut throat. I can see how that becomes shocking to creatives or people that choose to jump into the industry for the love of gaming and story telling. But it, is what it is, unfortunately.
Melchizedek
Two things can be true. Just because Pete made some flops doesn’t make Game Pass healthy for the industry. They’re actually entirely unrelated points that people keep trying to string together as if it’s some gotcha.
Sixth Gen Console Enjoyer
Pete Hines was responsible for multiple flops at Bethesda: Wolfenstein 2, Prey 2017, Evil Within 2, Dishonored 2, Death of the Outsider, Deathloop, and Ghostwire. These are all games that reviewed well and sold terribly. And let’s not even get into his live service flops (76, Youngblood, Redfall). Where’s the accountability? Sounds like he needed GamePass to me.
