We celebrate the Xbox's 22nd birthday this week, anticipate the imminent release of Baldur's Gate 3 on Xbox (bear sex and all), discuss the Xbox nominations (and Starfield's lack thereof) at this year's Game Awards, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast Unlocked

Gearing Up for Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox – Unlocked 621

The Xbox Series X and S turn three years old this week, so we discuss how the latest Xbox console generation is going, both on its own and in comparison to the first three years of other Xbox consoles. Plus: we try to make sense of the new Mass Effect 5 teaser we got for N7 Day this week, and then we discuss the imminent Grand Theft Auto 6 announcement and whether or not it's going to happen at The Game Awards. Join us! 00:00:19:06 Intro 00:06:03:14 3 years of Xbox Series X|S 00:26:26:00 Mass Effect 5 tease 00:44:57:27 Finally some real Grand Theft Auto 6 news 00:52:17:24 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What to Make of the New Mass Effect 5 Teaser — Unlocked 620

The greatest Xbox podcast crossover ever happens now! IGN's Podcast Unlocked and Kinda Funny's Xcast have joined forces for an Xbox podcast tour-de-force. First we discuss the brilliance of Alan Wake 2 and the Max Payne 1+2 Remakes that Remedy is about to go into full production on before discussing Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski's recent comments about Gears needing a reboot. And then the main event: our Xbox first-party studio fantasy draft! Now that Microsoft's Activision-Blizzard acquisition has happened, we thought it'd be a fun time to each draft three studios who we're most excited about for the next five years. Who will get chosen? Who will get left out? Join us, and don't forget to go to humblebundle.com and pick up the IGN Editor's Choice Bundle, the proceeds of which benefit the Extra Life children's charity! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlocked x Xcast: The Ultimate Xbox Podcast Crossover – Unlocked 619

We did the podcast live this week immediately following Xbox's Partner Preview livestream, and we spent the entire episode being pleasantly surprised by both the things Microsoft promised would be there (like Alan Wake 2, Ark: Survival Ascended, and Dungeons of Hinterberg), and the things that were surprises (like Metal Gear solid Delta, Still Wakes the Deep, and The Finals). Plus, we give some constructive criticism on Xbox's latest presentation format. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Xbox's Partner Stream Suprised and Delighted – Unlocked 618

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard is finally done, and so we can finally stop talking about it! Or, well, at least we can stop talking about the annoying will-they-or-won't-they regulatory side of it. Now it's time to talk about the games! We discuss Activision-Blizzard games in the back catalog that we'd like to see lightly refreshed for the Xbox Series X|S (similar to the recent Quake 2 remaster), before taking turns talking about which of their IPs we'd like to see Microsoft bring back as a brand-new game. Plus: Starfield tops the sales charts, Bethesda's "Uncle Pete" Hines says goodbye, and more!       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Activision Deal Is Done. Now What? – Unlocked 617

Some Forza Motorsport vs. Gran Turismo 7 talk kicks off the show before we talk about Halo Infinite's new Season 5 content, discuss how Xbox Game Pass looks set to level up in 2024 with the addition of Activision-Blizzard games, lament the recent layoffs at Telltale, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Xbox Game Pass Will Level Up in 2024 – Unlocked 616

First we give our initial impressions of Forza Motorsport and Assassin's Creed Mirage now that the review embargoes on them have lifted, and then we spend the bulk of the episode giving our top-5 rankings of Xbox's internal game studios (including Bethesda/Zenimax) while also contemplating Phil Spencer's Xbox legacy to date as PlayStation boss Jim Ryan finalizes his ahead of his retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ranking our Top 5 Xbox First-Party Developers – Unlocked 615

We open this week's busy episode of Unlocked by discussing two big new games we just played a bunch of: Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty and Alan Wake 2. After that we discuss Phil Spencer's wish to bring back MechAssault and have a fantasy draft for which Xbox developer should make it -- along with our own picks (complete with preferred developers) for other dormant Xbox franchises we'd like to see return. Plus: we get lost wondering how the heck we're going to play all of the games in this historically busy stretch of major game releases that we're in right now, and more!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will OG Xbox Classic MechAssault Return? – Unlocked 614

In one of our longest Podcast Unlocked episodes ever, we recap, discuss, and analyze every piece of Microsoft's huge FTC case documents leak that revealed the Xbox Series X slim refresh (and its lack of any disc drive), plans for future Bethesda/Zenimax games (many of which are still unannounced), their top-level plans for their next-generation console due out in Holiday 2028, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Xbox Just Leaked…Everything – Unlocked 613

After a quick update on how our Starfield adventures are going, we discuss Phil Spencer and the Xbox leadership team’s big decision to bend the Series X/S parity rules to get Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox, Destin’s big interview with Phil Spencer — including whether or not Microsoft will produce a mid-gen refresh for the Series X — the sad closure of Volition, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Forza Motorsport Impressions 00:14:32 - Will Embracer Sell Gearbox? 00:33:41 - Donald Mustard Retires from Epic Games 00:44:17 - The Xbox Mastercard is Real 00:58:35 - Is Ubisoft Finally Releasing XDefiant? 01:14:06 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Xbox MasterCard Is a Real Credit Card – Unlocked 612

After a quick update on how our Starfield adventures are going, we discuss Phil Spencer and the Xbox leadership team’s big decision to bend the Series X/S parity rules to get Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox, Destin’s big interview with Phil Spencer — including whether or not Microsoft will produce a mid-gen refresh for the Series X — the sad closure of Volition, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro & Replaced Delayed to 2024 00:12:05 - Xbox Drops Parity Requirement & Baldur's Gate 3 Coming! 00:22:10 - Blizzard/Activision & Game Pass? 00:39:10 - Mid-Generation Refresh for Xbox? 01:11:28 - Embracer Group Shuts Volition Down & Outro   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do You Want a Mid-Gen Xbox Series X Upgrade? – Unlocked 611

This is the episode you've been waiting for: Starfield. We brought in our Starfield reviewer, Dan Stapleton, to have a spoiler-free discussion about what we think of the most anticipated Xbox game of the year. We talk about what we like, what we don't, and how it ranks alongside Fallout and The Elder Scrolls.   00:00:00 - Intro & Starfield Review Discussion 01:02:00 - IGN Icons 01:05:51 - Even More Starfield & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What We Think of Bethesda’s Long-Awaited RPG, Starfield – Unlocked 610

Gamescom is underway, and this week's episode is dedicated to a recap and analysis of everything from the Opening Night Live showcase -- from the beauty of Alan Wake 2, Black Myth: Wukong, and Lords of the Fallen to our disgust at the knucklehead stage-crashers who are going to ruin access these events for fans. Plus: We can tell you that we're playing Starfield, and though we can't share any opinions on it yet, we let you know when you can read IGN's review. 00:00:00 - Intro & the Biggest gamescom Announcements 00:40:55 - Modern Warfare 3: Will It Be Good? 00:46:22 - Alan Wake 2 Reactions & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gamescom Announcements: The Good, Bad, and Ugly – Unlocked 609

We're diving into the mystery surrounding STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl's potential release date. Is the December 1 date listed on Plaion's website for real? We've got the juicy details on what this highly anticipated game might bring, from survival mechanics to a dynamic day-night cycle. Xbox is taking a stand against bad behavior with a fresh strike-based program. Learn all about the new enforcement system and how it aims to create a better gaming environment. But is eight strikes before a one-year ban too much? We're breaking down the pros and cons. And hold onto your controllers, because Xbox Game Pass is about to drop a bombshell lineup! From Everspace 2 to Gris, and the eagerly awaited Starfield, we've got the scoop on the upcoming releases that'll keep you glued to your screens.   00:00:00 - Intro & Baldur's Gate 3 is Just SO GOOD 00:18:08 - Is STALKER 2's Release Date ACTUALLY Happening? 00:35:02 - Xbox Has New Strike-Based Program to Combat Toxicity 01:03:32 - Awesome Xbox Game Pass Games BEFORE Starfield 01:11:14 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why We’re Not Buying STALKER 2’s Rumored Release Date – Unlocked 608

Get ready to dive into some exciting EVO news on this episode. We've got a crazy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover heading to Street Fighter 6, and there's a new character teaser for Street Fighter 6 that's brewing some serious curiosity. But that's not all, Mortal Kombat 1 is back with a bang, introducing Reptile, Ashrah, and Havik as fresh fighters. Red Dead Redemption has also been announced as a port for the PS4 and Switch, and a lot of fans aren't happy! And of course, you know we have to touch on some thoughts on Starfield, Baldur's Gate 3, and Forza Motorsport news. It's a packed episode with host Kahlief Adams, joined by Stella Chung and Destin Legarie, so don't miss this one! 00:00:00 - Intro & EVO 2023 News Galore! 00:15:28 - Alien is Coming to Dead by Daylight 00:19:03 - Xbox is Going Big for gamescom 00:29:07 - Could Starfield Learn Anything From Baldur's Gate 3? 00:43:29 - Red Dead Redemption PS4/Switch Port is Coming 00:49:33 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Biggest News from EVO 2023: Reptile, Azucena, A.K.I., and More! – Unlocked 607

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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