The XB2 — An Xbox & Gaming Podcast

Episodi

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  416: Xbox Helix "changes," Fable vs. God of War Laufey, Gears: E-Day multiplayer previews 01.08.2026 3h 37min

  🦈 SPONSOR: http://SURFSHARK.com/XB2 | SurfShark VPN! Get 86% OFF a two year plan, working out to just $2 a month! 🦈 This week, we're talking Xbox Helix and Microsoft's gaming financials, Fable vs. God of War Laufey, Gears: E-Day's multiplayer previews, and much more. Will Xbox ditch Steam? Will Satya give Asha enough time to save Xbox?! Let's talk about it. 💚SUPPORT US on PATREON from $1.99 (50% OFF): Extra shows, ad-free, Q&A section weekly, and MORE! ⁠http://patreon.com/XB2⁠ | Now cheaper!💚 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00: Intro, most anticipated games, hitting the backlog, recent games. 00:20:00: Xbox Helix vs. Steam. 00:55:00: Gears of War: E-Day impressions, Xbox financials, and future strategy. 01:35:00: Xbox Game Studios strategy, future of Fallout, future of Halo. 01:50:00: Digital rights, Xbox Live outages, future of Xbox Ally and handhelds. 02:20:00: Fable vs. God of War, Paramount acquires Warner Bros. 02:42:00: Patreon Q&A, Xbox at Gamescom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  XB2+1 (Ep. 39) Talking Xbox with ZALKER GAMING 28.07.2026 1h 32min

  🦈 Get Surfshark 86% OFF! ⁠⁠http://www.surfshark.com/XB2⁠⁠ | 100% log free VPN for $2 per month! #ad AIRED FIRST ON JULY 21, 2026, ON http://patreon.com/XB2 !! 🙏 THE THIRTEEN NINTEENTHS XB2+1 IS HERE. HANGING OUT WITH THE INTREPID ZALKER GAMING of YouTube! We'll talk Xboxxy things, Xbox exclusives, the tech industrypocalypse, what Xbox needs to do to SURVIVE, and much more. FOLLOW ZALKER on X: http://twitter.com/ZALKER87 and on YOUTUBE: @ZalkerGaming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  415: Xbox back compat returns, Halo Campaign Evolved reviews, Xbox gaming "free" with ads 25.07.2026 3h 33min

  🦈 SPONSOR: ⁠http://SURFSHARK.com/XB2⁠ | SurfShark VPN! Get 86% OFF a two year plan, working out to just $2 a month! 🦈 Jez and Rand gear up for ep. 415 of the Xbox Two Podcast! This week, we talk Xbox Cloud Gaming + ads new "free" tier, we discuss Halo Campaign Evolved's success (or lack thereof) and get into the latest Xbox back compat news. Also, Jez reads ... a BOOK?! 💚SUPPORT US on PATREON from $1.99: Extra shows, ad-free, Q&A section weekly, and MORE! ⁠⁠http://patreon.com/XB2⁠⁠ | Now cheaper! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00: Intro, Jez has buyer's remorse, and reads a book?! 00:18:00: Tomb Raider delayed, Ghost Recon Wildlands leaked, PS5 disc controversy continues. Xbox tax and the state of game journalism. 00:55:00: LG monitors injecting ads into Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming vs. ads. Halo reviews influenced by Xbox hate? 01:20:00: Halo Campaign Evolved thoughts, Xbox back compat on PC. 02:00:00: Circana shows Xbox hardware sales jump, Game Pass vs. Xbox studios, Matt Booty vs. Xbox exclusives. 02:30:00: Patreon Q&A topics and superchats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  414: Bethesda's future REVEALED, Jez interviews Todd Howard, Obsidian's Fallout, Xbox Helix rumors 18.07.2026 3h 12min

  🦈 SPONSOR: http://SURFSHARK.com/XB2 | SurfShark VPN! Get 86% OFF a two year plan, working out to just $2 a month! 🦈 Rand and Jez RETURN for a big week in Xbox gaming news. We discuss the on-going fallout from Asha's cuts, we talk the huge tranche of Bethesda news dropping earlier today, and we discuss Jez's interview with Todd Howard. 💚SUPPORT US on PATREON from $1.99: Extra shows, ad-free, Q&A section weekly, and MORE! ⁠http://patreon.com/XB2⁠ | Now cheaper! TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00: Intro, Xbox to have a disc drive rumor, clickbait, Positron updates?00:20:00: Wolverine PS5 BOYCOTT?! God of War TV show recast. Microsoft accounts HACKED and digital rights.00:47:00: Games played: Buckshot Roulette, DOOM, Halo Campaign Evolved, Assassin's Creed: Black Flag resynced. 01:00:00: Xbox Ultimate Sale, August release schedule, EA College Football drama. Halo Studios mismanagement? Bungie, Marathon in trouble. Analysts predict Xbox Helix' sales, WWE viewing figures tank. 01:25:00: Todd Howard interview, Fallout and Elder Scrolls news. Obsidian's Fallout, Avowed 2 not dead? 02:10:00: Patreon Q&A topics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  413: The Xbox "Reset." 11.07.2026 3h 19min

  🦈 SPONSOR: http://SURFSHARK.com/XB2 | SurfShark VPN! Get 86% OFF a two year plan, working out to just $2 a month! 🦈 It's here, the big "Xbox reset." Jez and Rand discuss the aftermath of project Asha, and whether or not Microsoft has gone too far. Was this the right thing for the health of the brand? Did Xbox Game Studios become too bloated? Or is this all just callous spreadsheetery? TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00: Intro, aftermath of PlayStation's discpocalypse. Will Xbox support discs?00:28:00: The Xbox "Reset," mass layoffs, divestitures, and the future. 00:46:00: Obsidian making a Fallout game? Shrinking core market, impact of AI. 01:00:00: The fate of id Software. 01:20:00: Superchats, Patreon Q&A topics, and final thoughts. 💚SUPPORT US on PATREON from $1.99: Extra shows, ad-free, Q&A section weekly, and MORE! ⁠http://patreon.com/XB2⁠ | Now cheaper!💚 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  412: PlayStation OUTRAGE, Sony ENDS physical games, Xbox layoffs and closures SOON 04.07.2026 3h 45min

  🦈 SPONSOR: http://SURFSHARK.com/XB2 | SurfShark VPN! Get 86% OFF a two year plan, working out to just $2 a month! 🦈 THE END IS NIGH ... for physical discs. Rand and Jez talk the LATEST DRAMA in the Xboxosphere, with Sony KILLING discs and the implications for Xbox Helix. What does Xbox's layoff bloodbath look like now? Is the game industry COOKED? Or is there optimism for the future? Let's talk. 💚 SUPPORT US on PATREON from $1.99: Extra shows, ad-free, Q&A section weekly, and MORE! ⁠http://patreon.com/XB2⁠ | Now cheaper! TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00: PlayStation ending physical discs. Xbox rumors, World Cup. Polygon has the worst article of the year.00:28:00: Cyberpunk hits 40 million sales, Destiny 2 profitability, Steam Machine issues.00:56:00: Xbox Tax, deep dive: the death of physical.02:00:00: Xbox Studio layoffs and closures, Halo Studios' future. Warcraft leaks.02:30:00: Patreon Q&A: Xbox leadership, creative freedom, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  411: Xbox raises prices AGAIN, GTA6 "best" on PlayStation, Destiny cooked, Steam Machine 29.06.2026 2h 50min

  JEZ and RAND talk about the latest Xbox drama: price hikes, the GTA 6 marketing blitz, the death of Destiny, Steam Machine and the RAMagaddon, and much more. Hey guys, sorry for the delay, was travelling! Better late than never. Also on that note, since I was travelling I was calling in on a Bluetooth headset, so apols for strange audio. Should be back to normal next week good sirs. ^Jez 🦈 SPONSOR: http://SURFSHARK.com/XB2 | SurfShark VPN! Get 86% OFF a two year plan, working out to just $2 a month! 🦈 TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00: Rand's desk explodes, Jez gets engaged! Xbox newspocalypse. 007 impressions. Avowed impressions.00:25:00: Console prices increased, state of the market.00:55:00: Is gaming cooked? Delay next-gen?01:28:00: Europe is literally on fire. Bungie layoffs, GTA 6 preorders and marketing debate.02:00:00: Patreon Q&A, community questions and superchat topics (various). 💚SUPPORT US on PATREON from $1.99: Extra shows, ad-free, Q&A section weekly, and MORE! http://patreon.com/XB2 | Now cheaper!💚 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  410: Xbox killing studios?! Xbox gets exclusives back, Xbox Showcase aftermath 19.06.2026 3h 3min

  Jez and Rand get into it for the latest XBOX TWO PODCAST. We talk Xbox Showcase after math, the drama around Asha Sharma's "reset," the implications of Xbox exclusive games, and more. What's going to happen?! TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00: Intro, GTA 6 rumors, preorders, Fall is STACKED.00:20:00: Bungie layoffs, Hellblade 2 reactions, Xbox Showcase. Xbox Studio closures, fiscal strategy.01:10:00: Exclusivity re-evaluated? PR problems, game budgets, Gears E-Day, Xbox brand confidence.01:55:00: Patreon Q&A, industry crash, sell-off rumors.02:20:00: Game Pass value, Bethesda franchises, "Xbox Tax."02:45:00: Industry contraction, oversupply, nostalgia?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  409.5: Xbox to BE SOLD OFF? Asha's "tough decisions," SGF, Showcase, and the marginpocalypse 13.06.2026 2h 44min

  Hey gang, unfortunately Rand's power is out thanks to the tornado hitting Chicago and the surrounding area, so we're rocking a solo show ahead of the regular XB2 410 likely for Monday. I got the XB2 Patreon Q&As here too! 🦈 SPONSOR: http://SURFSHARK.com/XB2 | SurfShark VPN! Get 86% OFF a two year plan, working out to just $2 a month! 🦈 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00: Xbox business health, Game Pass revenue, industry pressure. Xbox restructuring / spin-off rumors.00:38:00: Halo Studios management, studio closure rumors.01:00:00: Xbox Showcase impressions, game reveals, best games. 01:20:00: Patreon Q&A. Future of exclusives, multi-platform plans, Helix changes?01:56:00: SGF surprises, dream crossovers. Free-to-play monetization problems, and Xbox's future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  XB2+1 (Ep. 38): Talking XBOX with JON CLARKE of DayOne! 02.06.2026 2h 52min

  🦈 Get Surfshark 80% OFF! ⁠⁠http://www.surfshark.com/XB2⁠⁠ | 100% log free VPN! #ad ORIGINALLY AIRED: MAY 26, 2026, FIRST ON https://PATREON.COM/XB2 💚 THE THIRTENE EIGHTIETH XB2+1 IS HERE. HANGING OUT WITH XBOX LEGEND ... JON "SIKAMIKANICO" CLARKE. We'll talk Xbox things, how XboxEra's transition to DayOne is going, and Jon's predictions for the Xbox Showcase... and RYAN GOSLING?! FOLLOW JON on X: http://twitter.com/_Sikamikanico_ SEE DAYONE online: http://www.playday.one Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  409: Jez and Rand talk Xbox "hard choices," SHOWCASE predictions, Fable DELAYED 30.05.2026 3h 47min

  🦈SPONSOR: https://surfshark.com/XB2 | Get 86% OFF our fave VPN. BEST privacy, RAM-based servers, NO LOGS, $2 a month with our deal! #ad Time for another juicy Xbox Two Podcast! This week, Jez and Rand talk Xbox Showcase predictions, "logogate," and Asha Sharma's response during the show, the big delay of Fable, 007: First Light, and much more! 💚JOIN US ON https://PATREON.COM/XB2 | 50% off for the Xbox Showcase! Extra shows, Q&As, and more! 💚 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00: Intro, housekeeping, laptop craziness. 00:22:00: James Bond "007 First Light" reviews, Helix and Steam Deck prices.00:52:00: Call of Duty: MW4, GTA6 talk. Asha's "hard choices" ahead.01:18:00: Xbox's "logo gate" and controversy. Fable DELAYED.01:45:00: Xbox Showcase predictions. 02:25:00: CD Projekt RED and Witcher 3 DLC.03:00:00: Patreon Q&A, and Asha Sharma responds to logo-gate mid-show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  408 (Rand is BACK): Xbox fans WANT exclusives, Forza Horizon 6 is MASSIVE, Xbox adds new leaders 27.05.2026 4h 4min

  🦈SPONSOR: SURFSHARK VPN | Get 86% OFF ($2/mo) http://SURFHSARK.com/XB2 | NO LOGS, UNLIMITED DEVICES, MAX PRIVACY🦈 YO YO gang. Welcome to this week's EXPLOSIVE XB2, RAND IS BACK. We talk Forza Horizon 6's absolutely huge successes, the Xbox Player Voice system and the top upvoted feedback items, Xbox's new leadership team, Destiny's demise, and much more. TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00: Intro, Jez's Nintendo confession, Xbox's new leadership.00:18:00: Halo on PlayStation, exclusives vs. Day One Game Pass, Forza Horizon 6 impressions. 01:09:00: What we've been playing, Mixtape "drama."01:27:00: Did EA kill the Xbox Game Pass Family Plan? PlayStation security problems.01:48:00: Fable age rated, Warhorse tackles Middle-earth. Destiny dies.02:15:00: Xbox Player Voice and the top feedback requests.03:10:00: Patreon Q&A. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  XB2+1 (Ep. 37): Talking Xbox with MILES DOMPIER + Patreon Q&A. 19.05.2026 2h 10min

  AIRED FIRST ON PATREON, MAY 12, 2026! 💚 JOIN US ON ⁠http://PATREON.COM/XB2⁠: Q&A's, Extra Shows, and much more! 💚 The MILES is back on XB2+1, and we're going to get into some juicy thoughts on Xbox's future, the state of the industry, what Illfonic has been up to, and much more. 🦈 Get Surfshark 80% OFF! ⁠https://surfshark.net/XB2⁠ | 100% log free VPN! #Sponsor 🟣JOIN US ON ⁠http://DISCORD.GG/XB2⁠: The #1 Xbox Discord community, with giveaways, and more! 🟣 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  407.75: Jez goes solo on Xbox "POSITRON," Xbox Elite LEAKS, Forza HYPE! Mixtape SUCKS?! (or does it... ) 16.05.2026 1h 45min

  🦈 Get Surfshark 80% OFF! https://surfshark.net/XB2 | 100% log free VPN! #Sponsor Jez is solo again for another week of JUICY XBOXXY NEWSSY. Let's discuss the latest happenings, together, friends. Xbox's Elite Controller LEAKED. Thoughts on Subnautica 2, Forza Horizon 6, MIXTAPE, and Xbox's mysterious Positron program. PLS SUPPORT US ON PATREON: http://www.patreon.com/XB2 JOIN US ON DISCORD: https://discord.gg/xb2 TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00: Opening, Subnautica 2, Mixtape impressions, grooming mishaps 00:20:00: Xbox leaks, Elite Series 3, batteries vs docks, FTC docs, cloud controller 00:40:00: PlayStation player counts, Cities Skylines 2, DLC debates, sequel fatigue, Xbox strategy 01:00:00: Console sales, localization challenges, Xbox exclusives, Halo predictions 01:20:00: Disc-to-digital, antitrust concerns, OD & Blade showcase predictions, AI in journalism 01:40:00: Amish money-making, niche IP survival vs franchise dominance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  407.5: Jez goes solo on Xbox's leadership changes, PlayStation financials, and UFOs?! 09.05.2026 1h 37min

  🦈 Get Surfshark 80% OFF! ⁠https://surfshark.net/XB2⁠ | 100% log free VPN! #Sponsor Rand had some IRL to deal with again this Friday, so I went solo with some thoughts on Xbox's leadership changes, PlayStation's financials and Bungie's future, and some other bits and pieces. We'll hopefully be back on Monday for ep. 408! Thanks for bearing with us. 💚 JOIN US ON ⁠http://PATREON.COM/XB2⁠: Q&A's, Extra Shows, and much more! 💚 🟣JOIN US ON ⁠http://DISCORD.GG/XB2⁠: The #1 Xbox Discord community, with giveaways, and more! 🟣 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  407: Does Xbox NEED PlayStation? PS5 DRM drama, Asha talks Xbox financials 02.05.2026 3h 29min

  🦈 Get Surfshark 80% OFF! ⁠https://surfshark.net/XB2⁠ | 100% log free VPN! #Sponsor 💚 JOIN US ON ⁠http://PATREON.COM/XB2⁠: Q&A's, Extra Shows, and much more! 💚 It's time for another Xbox news week! This time, Rand and Jez talk Diablo 4 impressions, Xbox's financials, analytics that suggest Xbox games don't sell all that much on PlayStation, Pragmata, PS5 DRM drama, and much more. TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00: Intro, Diablo 4 impressions, Resident Evil movie, Alien Isolation 2 teased.00:30:00: Xbox financials, Asha's transparency, Game Pass goes modular?01:05:00: Exclusivity re-evaluation, Alinea analytics data.01:42:00: Project Helix vs. Steam, platform strategy concerns. Pragmata impressions. Vampire Crawlers impressions.02:05:00: PS5 DRM drama, digital rights.02:20:00: Patreon Q&A and final thoughts. 🟣JOIN US ON ⁠http://DISCORD.GG/XB2⁠: The #1 Xbox Discord community, with giveaways, and more! 🟣 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  406 (for real this time): Xbox going back to exclusives? Big Xbox Game Pass price drop, "Microsoft Gaming" is dead 25.04.2026 3h 49min

  🦈 Get Surfshark 80% OFF! ⁠https://surfshark.net/XB2⁠ | 100% log free VPN! #Sponsor The Xbox Two Podcast is back! This week Rand and Jez will be talking about Asha's plan for Xbox and potentially the return of exclusives, Xbox Game Pass actually got a price decrease while also removing Call of Duty from Day 1 on the service and so much more! 💚 JOIN US ON ⁠http://PATREON.COM/XB2⁠: Q&A's, Extra Shows, and much more! 💚 🟣ALSO JOIN US ON http://DISCORD.GG/XB2: The #1 Xbox Discord community, with giveaways, and more! 🟣 TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00: Welcome back Rand! Assassin's Creed revealed, Kiln, Pragmata rocks.00:30:00: Xbox Game Pass price CUT. New Xbox Game Pass tier.00:55:00: Phil Spencer critique vs. Asha Sharma.01:40:00: "We are Xbox" memo. Blog post deep dive.02:00:00: Exclusives coming back? What's "Windowing"? Helix future.02:50:00: Patreon Q&A, closing comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  XB2+1 (Ep. 36): Learning about State of Decay 3 with SUNNY GAMES! 23.04.2026 56min

  🦈 Get Surfshark 80% OFF! ⁠⁠http://www.surfshark.com/XB2⁠⁠ | 100% log free VPN! #ad AIRED FIRST ON http://PATREON.COM/XB2 (April 14, 2026)! THE THIRTENE SIXETHHS XB2+1 IS HERE. HANGING OUT WITH SUNNY GAMES of STATE OF DECAY FAME AND FORTUNE. Jez and Sunny talk all things State of Decay 3, Xbox, and the future! FOLLOW SUNNY on YOUTUBE: http://youtube.com/c/sunnygamesyt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  405.75 (Bonus): Xbox Game Pass HUGE price cut, Patreon Q&A, random Xbox topics 22.04.2026 1h 59min

  🦈 Get Surfshark 80% OFF! https://surfshark.net/XB2 | 100% log free VPN! #Sponsor Hey gang. Jez here with another bonus solo show. Rand is dealing with a ton of IRL stuff at the moment (iykyk), so I decided to drop by with another quick chat about the big Xbox news of the now: the big ol' price cut to Xbox Game Pass. I also get the Patreon Q&A topics you guys sent in too at the half way mark. Thanks for tuning in. Hopefully we can get back to normal scheduling soon.
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  405.5 (Bonus): Jez goes solo, Metro 2039 revealed, RANDOM Xbox news with you guys 18.04.2026 2h 2min

  🦈 Get Surfshark 80% OFF! ⁠⁠http://www.surfshark.com/XB2⁠⁠ | 100% log free VPN! #ad Hey guys, XB2 406 is delayed to Monday as Rand deals with IRL stuff today. We'll talk some random Xboxxy news and take your questions ahead of Monday's regular show. Note: Me and Rand will cover some of the same topics on Monday if yall wanna wait for that, but some asked me to upload this one too to here. :) So take it as a bonus show kinda! 💚 Support us and go AD-FREE on http://Patreon.com/XB2! Extra shows, Q&A sessions, and more. 💚 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices