Podcast Unlocked

With Microsoft announcing the date for its upcoming Xbox-Bethesda Showcase, we waste no time in making our first round of predictions for the event. From Hellblade 2 to Starfield to Forza Motorsport to Gears 6 and more, we discuss what we think might happen at the biggest Xbox event of the year. Plus: we attempt to unravel the head-scratching mystery that is Embracer Group buying a few Square Enix studios and franchises, including Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, and Thief.

TIMECODES:
00:00:00 - Intro & Xbox Showcase Predictions!
00:50:55 - Embracer Group Acquires a Handful of Square Enix Studios
01:13:48 - Game Pass Games for May & more!
01:14:53 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro

Direct download: Unlocked_050322_audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 7:42pm EDT

The Xbox has its best March since the Xbox 360 era, and IGN's Xbox crew discusses the ins and outs of the numbers. Plus: Gearbox is bringing back Tales from the Borderlands itself – and Ryan has a bone to pick with them – 343 Industries details Halo Infinite's 2022 roadmap, and more!

Direct download: Unlocked_042622_audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 7:24pm EDT

My Xbox and Me host MC Fixer joins us to discuss a big week of Xbox news, from Portal 2's lead writer publicly calling on Valve to greenlight Valve 3 to Amy Hennig getting another shot at a Star Wars game to Sega working on big-budget reboots of Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio and more!

TIMECODES:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:56 - Should Valve Get Portal 3 Done?
00:19:40 - Amy Hennig Working on a New Star Wars Game?
00:29:58 - SEGA on Crazy Taxi & Jet Set Radio Reboots
00:40:50 - CDPR Delays The Witcher 3 Next Gen Release
00:47:46 - WB and the Minecraft Movie
00:53:59 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro

Direct download: Unlocked_041922_audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 5:06pm EDT

This week the Unlocked crew are joined by a very special guest host, Adam Cole! Discussions include speculation about what we can expect from Halo Infinite Season 2, the Kingdom Hearts 4 reveal, and Cyberpunk 2077's upcoming story expansion. Also, have you guys tried Destin's cookies yet?

  • 00:00:00 - Intro & Housekeeping
  • 00:02:20 - Halo Infinite Season 2 Announced!
  • 00:16:48 - Cyberpunk 2077 Story Expansion Incoming
  • 00:24:07 - Kingdom Hearts IV Announced
  • 00:31:35 - Dead Space Remake Coming Early 2023?
  • 00:38:04 - What’s Up with System Shock 3?
  • 00:53:30 - Our “Lifetime” Games & Outro
Direct download: Unlocked_041222_audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 6:08pm EDT

Big news for those who've still been trying to get their hands on an Xbox Series X: the shortage might finally be over. Plus: our Game Pass picks for new Series X owners, the upcoming Xbox Game Pass Family Plan has been confirmed, Unreal Engine 5's completion means a bunch of Xbox exclusives just got one step closer to release, and more!

TIMECODES:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:10 - Is the Xbox Series X Shortage Almost Over?
00:06:27 - Our Recommended Game Pass Games
00:19:10 - Xbox Game Pass Family Plan Incoming!
00:26:46 - Xbox Games for April
00:28:50 - Monkey Island is Back!
00:31:48 - Our Dream Sequel Revivals
00:41:26 - Unreal Engine 5 is Officially Here
00:52:55 - Unlocked Block Trivia & Outro

Direct download: Unlocked_040522_audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Grand Theft Auto Online is now offering an optional new subscription service called GTA+. We dig into what it is, who it's for, and whether or not it's worth it. Plus: Xbox leaders discuss the future of cloud gaming and the present-day success of Xbox Game Pass at the Game Developers Conference, and more!

TIMECODES:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:57 - Rockstar Announces GTA+ Subscription Service
00:17:50 - April Games for Gold
00:23:00 - What’s Coming for Xbox Cloud Gaming?
00:44:30 - Unlock-Block Trivia & Outro

Direct download: Unlocked_032922_audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 7:11pm EDT

Tunic creator Andrew Shouldice joins us for the first half of this week's show to discuss the ins and outs of creating the new Xbox-exclusive action-adventure largely by himself. Plus: our reactions to the announcement of the new Witcher game, our reactions to the report of toxic leadership at Ori developer Moon Studio, and more.

TIMECODES:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:49 - Interview With Andrew Shouldice!
00:39:40 - New Witcher Game in Development
00:56:52 - Moon Studios is Reportedly an "Oppressive" Place to Work
01:16:58 - Unlock-Block Trivia
01:19:43 - Outro

Direct download: IGN_Unlocked_Ep_536_Audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 8:33pm EDT

Three major topics dominate our discussion this week: 1) Our spoiler-free thoughts on the Halo TV show after we all watched the first two episodes. 2) Ryan's spoiler-free thoughts on Tunic now that the review embargo has lifted. And 3) The rocky situation at The Initiative as development on Perfect Dark reportedly struggles to move forward in the wake of many senior development leads leaving the project.

TIMECODES:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:30 - Halo TV Series First Impressions
00:17:21 - Tunic Review!
00:26:52 - Perfect Dark Leads Are Leaving Studio
00:47:14 - Unlock-Block Trivia
00:51:37 - Outro

Direct download: IGN_Unlocked_Ep_535_Audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 1:00pm EDT

Halo Infinite multiplayer's season 2, Lone Wolves, has been announced, and we've got a lot to say about the state of the game so far and how hyped (or not?) we are for season 2. Plus: GTA 5's next-gen graphics modes are revealed. Also: Microsoft, Xbox, and the war in Ukraine.

TIMECODES:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:57 - Halo Infinite Season 2 Multiplayer Announced
00:21:53 - Microsoft Suspends Sales in Russia
00:33:29 - Grand Theft Auto 5 and GTA Online Xbox Series X/S New Features Revealed
00:41:13 - Capcom is Bringing Resident Evil 2 Remake, 3 Remake, and 7 to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series
00:42:28 - Unlock-Block Trivia
00:48:29 - Outro

Direct download: Unlocked_Ep_534_Audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 7:13pm EDT

Our Xbox crew digs into the latest bit of big Call of Duty news: that the series will be taking next year off. We discuss what it means for the franchise. Plus: Elden Ring lives up to the hype, the possibility of Xbox Game Pass coming to Steam (and thus the Steam Deck), and more!

TIMECODES:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:56 - Elden Ring Fever!
00:15:00 - New Call of Duty Pushed to 2024
00:29:09 - Game Pass On Steam Deck?
00:46:49 - Xbox Game Pass For March
00:52:45 - Unlock-Block Trivia
00:55:51 - Outro

Direct download: IGN_Unlocked_Ep_533_Audio.mp3
Category:Podcast Unlocked -- posted at: 8:33pm EDT