Mortal Kombat 1 has been announced, and it's bringing its unexpected title to next-gen consoles in September. Meanwhile, Alan Wake 2's voice actor may have just spoiled the release date for Remedy's upcoming survival-horror sequel. We discuss these two games, along with the Fall release calendar for Xbox that's now starting to come into focus. Plus: we're not buying the idea that GTA 6 might be out next year, and more!

Podcast Unlocked

What Xbox’s Fall 2023 Looks Like So Far – Unlocked 596

Xbox's deal to acquire Activision-Blizzard gets a key approval from the European Commission, even while the UK's CMA doubles down on its opposition. A quote from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has us wondering what Microsoft might be willing to do in the UK if they don't get the green light. Plus: Starfield has...jetpack sex? Don't worry, we'll explain. And more!

Xbox’s Activision-Blizzard Deal Greenlit in EU…but it’s Not Over Yet – Unlocked 595

Phil Spencer's recent comments about Xbox's third-place standing in the video game marketplace have created quite a stir in the Xbox community. We play Phil's quote and then spend a LOT of time reacting to and discussing it. Plus: it's the First Annual Xbox Games Showcase Draft! We compile a list of the games we think are most likely to make an appearance at next month's Showcase. Some of our choices might surprise you!

Xbox Games Showcase Predictions, Round 1 – Unlocked 594

Redfall is out, and unfortunately it's basically a worst-case scenario. We talk through our personal impressions of the game so far, and then get into a larger discussion about what it means for Xbox customer confidence, the intense pressure that now falls on Starfield, and where Xbox can go from here.

Redfall’s Poor Launch Tests Xbox Fans’ Patience – Unlocked 593

In a surprise plot twist, Microsoft's Activision-Blizzard acquisition has been BLOCKED by the UK's CMA regulatory authority. We spend most of the show discussing the ramifications of this as well as what Microsoft might do next. Plus: we kick off the show with some quick impressions of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor! Presented by Dead Island 2

Xbox’s Activision-Blizzard Deal Is Done. Now What? – Unlocked 592

Longtime Halo senior developer Joseph Staten, the subject of last week's Unlocked, has announced where he's going next: Netflix! We discuss what this means for Netflix's gaming efforts before turning our attention to the newly announced departure of another longtime Halo developer, Frank O'Connor. Plus: Diablo 4's community interactions continue to impress, and more!

Can Netflix Make Awesome AAA Games? – Unlocked 591

As Halo Infinite creative director Joseph Staten confirms his departure from Microsoft altogether, we reflect back on his many contributions to some of the very best Halo games and also look ahead at what the future of Halo might look like. Plus: Arkane Austin drops some disappointing news about Redfall, Miranda gives her very positive hands-on impressions of Minecraft Legends, and more!

Thanks for All the Great Halo, Joseph Staten – Unlocked 590

ID@XBox dropped some exciting new trailers today and the Unlocked crew is here to update us on the latest indie games coming to Xbox! Stella Chung, Miranda Sanchez, and Taylor Lyles share their thoughts on games like The Explorator, Homestead Arcana, The Last Case of Benedict Fox, and the new Vampire Survivors: Tales of the Foscari DLC! We also touch on cheaper storage expansion for the Xbox as well as an unfortunate delay for ARK 2. Tons of fun stuff happening this week, so don't miss out!00:00:00 - Intro & ID@Xbox Reactions! 00:17:17- ARK 2 Delayed to 2024 00:25:25 - New Xbox Controller Made From Recycled Parts? 00:37:14 - Cheaper Xbox Storage on the Way & Outro 

ID@Xbox April Showcase: Our Thoughts and Reactions - Unlocked 589

Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 4, and more Resident Evil 4. At least that's what Brian Altano played this week. Join us on this episode as we let Brian gush over his love of RE4, discuss changes coming to Game Pass, and some bummer MultiVersus news. 00:00:00 Intro00:01:21 Resident Evil 4 Remake00:23:00 Game Pass changes00:38:05 MultiVersus leaves open beta00:50:42 Outro

Resident Evil 4: Remake Has Us in its Grips - Unlocked 588

We all played a ton of the Diablo 4 beta this past weekend, and we were all also lucky enough to play Redfall recently as well. We've got a LOT of thoughts about both. Join us!

We Played Redfall and Diablo 4, Let’s Talk! – Unlocked 587

Hitman developer IO Interactive is starting to talk about its new online fantasy-RPG project. Plus it's got a James Bond 007 game in the works. We discuss those, and then debate whether or not they might -- or should -- be Xbox's next acquisition target. Plus: Zombie Telltale is saying all of right things about its decision to delay The Wolf Among Us 2 into next year, guest panelist Cameron Hawkins agrees to take one for the team and eat a KFC Double Down in order to get Diablo 4 beta access, and more!00:00:00 - Intro00:04:06 - IO Interactive Working on a Fantasy RPG00:21:04 - Should IO Interactive Be Xbox’s Acquisition Target?00:35:57 - The Wolf Among Us 2 Delayed & Outro

Should IO Interactive Be Xbox’s Next Acquisition Target? – Unlocked 586

Starfield finally has a release date, so we kick off the show discussing why this new September window makes a lot of sense for Bethesda Game Studios's next big RPG. Plus: we share nine moves we think Xbox should make in 2023, and more!

9 Moves Xbox Should Make This Year – Unlocked 585

Tons to talk about this week! We start by discussing our disappointment in the new gameplay showcase for Rocksteady's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Then we analyze Tango Gameworks founder Shinji Mikami's departure from the studio and why we think The Evil Within 3 is still happening. Plus: Mortal Kombat 12 gets announced in an unexpected way, Call of Duty will get a full-game release this year after all, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Housekeeping00:03:19 - What’s Up with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League?00:21:29 - Shinji Mikami is Leaving Tango Gameworks00:28:13 - WB CEO Announces Mortal Kombat 1200:38:12 - Call of Duty and Forza Horizon 5 News!00:47:10 - Outro

Mortal Kombat Leaks, Mikami Leaves, and More in a Wild Xbox Week – Unlocked 584

Microsoft makes 10-year deals to bring Call of Duty to other platforms with not one but TWO different companies in an effort to get regulators to approve the Activision-Blizzard acquisition. We discuss how Microsoft might be nearing the endgame of this corporate chess match. Plus: we're stoked for the Diablo 4 beta, Ubisoft makes a puzzling statement about attending E3, and more!

Activision-Blizzard Buyout Drama Heats Up - Unlocked 583

Microsoft admits in a court filing as part of the proposed Activision-Blizzard acquisition that game sales suffer when games get added to Xbox Game Pass. We discuss why it doesn't really matter, why Game Pass matters for games both big and small, and more! Plus: why Kotick has to go if the acquisition is approved, Dead Island 2's release date changes AGAIN (but for the better this time!), and plenty more!00:00:00 - Intro & Secret Single-Player Titanfall Game Reportedly Canceled by EA00:03:36 - Xbox: Game Pass Cannibalizes Game Sales00:23:23 - Kotick to Stay as CEO of Blizzard/Activision is Microsoft Deal is Blocked?00:31:08 - Hi-Fi Rush Easter Egg Teases Evil Within 3?00:41:21 - Dead Island 2’s Release Date Moves UP a Week00:48:43 - Outro

Xbox Game Pass: Good for Gamers, Bad for Game Sales? – Unlocked 582

Love video games? IGN's Podcast Unlocked is your source for everything Xbox. If you live and breathe Halo, Gears of War, Forza, and more, Podcast Unlocked has you covered. Tune in every week for the latest video game news for Xbox junkies around the globe.

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Podcast Unlocked

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