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Defining Duke, Episode 285 | It's Happening AGAIN... - More Xbox Studio Shutdowns Soon (Patreon)

Published:
2026-06-18 16:00:50
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

Brad's curse continues on.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

3:30 - An update on the Green Reaper

8:10 - Colin scolds The Dukes

13:09 - A brief reprieve from Xbox depression

24:30 - What We’re Playing

1:02:00 - Xbox Studio Shutdowns

3:01:15 - Wrap Up

Files

Comments

Michael

Nice job, Brad.

BamAHamYum

I’ve gotta be totally real for a second, I can’t be bothered to pretend that the closure of studios such as compulsion and double fine who spend years making games that don’t appeal to 90% of gamers is indicative of an industry wide disaster. In every other industry, it’s known and accepted that businesses that fail to deliver value eventually lose the right to compete. For whatever reason, gamers seem to be the only people who have this hugbox mentality that studios deserve to stay open in perpetuity, regardless of whether or not their product sells. While I do sympathize with all of the devs whose livelihood will inevitably be affected, it doesn’t change my outlook on the situation. Retail, fast food, construction, and other types of employees across numerous industries get laid off everyday, but you don’t see people on social media and podcasters going to war on their behalf.

ZMD

Haru Discourse

Totally agree. I think the Double Fine closure is a bit more unfortunate because of their history of unique and interesting games, but Ninja Theory and Compulsion on the other hand floundered for years before putting out mid games that barely anyone would have played if not on Game Pass. They should never have bought these studios in the first place.

BamAHamYum

100%. I should also clarify that when it comes to double fine I’m more so referring to their recent releases in keeper and kiln. Psychonauts is great, and while it may not be a mainstream success on the level of Fallout or Forza, I believe its audience is big enough to justify future entries. I also think in this scenario, the blood lies in the hands of Phil Spencer. He’s the one who gave all of the aforementioned studios free reign to make whatever they want, regardless of whether or not those games would be financially viable. While I have little to no love for the first party titles released by Sony this generation, I can’t deny that Insomniac’s Marvel games sell like crazy, and there’s clearly a large audience who’ll be there on day one for any future releases in that pipeline. I can’t fathom a situation in which Sony sees the success of Spider-Man 1, and then goes to Insomniac to say “you know what, go ahead and spend your resources developing a 5-8 hour game where you control a lighthouse”. And for that reason, insomniac stays in business.

Haru Discourse

Only SMT game I played on 3DS was Strange Journey Redux, which I absolutely loved! I might have to check out Devil Survivor Overclocked next because it sounds really cool!

bigmomfan

Fuck the Eagles...heheheh

Setsuna Yuki is The Number 1 Idol

Wait you TRY to collect questions on Wed? so after you collect them on tuesday you don't always read the Wednesday comments?

VanB-Boy 4 life

Bingo. People act like the game business is a charity and not a BUSINESS. If you don’t make a profit, then you should be closed down

Captain Falcon

Great episode. Both Matty and Cog are 100% based with the current Xbox situation. The next few months are going to be interesting..

Walk Forward Cutscene

I can’t speak for them but I remember submitting a comment at the last possible moment once and Matty read it haha.

Jacob Lesperance

I got my problems with sony and nintendo. Being said. The Ninjas Theory situation is the scummiest thing I've ever seen between the platform holders.

Jacob Lesperance

Third party and independent studios already do amazing indie and quirky games. I don't know why you guys are so hung up on that part with Xbox.

Walker Simmons

Matty I love you bro but saying Ninja Theory had the potential to be Xbox's Naughty Dog was crazy 😅

Asher

Free Brad! He shouldn't be banned! All jokes aside, I love the Dukes and love the dynamic whenever Brad joins. Curses be darned, we need more Brad! Great pod, as usual, gentleman.

Susan B. Anthony Bourdain

A boring Xbox that exists is better than whatever it is that they've been doing over the last several years. Would we really be unhappy if they only put out just a few great Halo/Elder Scrolls/Fable/Fallout games a year and nothing else? We're not even getting those now!

Mr. Scott If You're Nasty

#PendingDD Boys, good episode. Not a lot of emotional arguments and grounded more in logic. We all know this needs to happen. There was no fiscal responsibility with the past regime and their business models. They also allowed too much developer choice. Games are art, yes, but they also need to be games first. If they aren't fun to play, they won't be bought by enough players. Get it fit. Get it healthy. Please not Obsidian, please not Ninja Theory.

They Now Call Me UNC.

I had to wait a couple of days to listen to this episode because I wasn’t sure I could handle all the complaining. I am also completely apathetic to what is about to happen.

Hippopotamus Anonymous

If you liked Strange Journey, I'd highly recommend the first Soul Hackers. Similar first person dungeon crawling as SJ with a great cyberpunk themed story. One of my favorite MegaTen games.

Save The Game Media

It’s abundantly clear that these studios are being punished for the previous leadership’s mandates. They were bought to make Game Pass content, regardless of sales. They shouldn’t be punished for doing what they were told after a leadership change and change in strategy, especially without getting a chance to turn it around. Hopefully they can go independent. But it’s also clear, Game Pass does these studios no favors. Apart from Call of Duty and Forza - no Xbox first party game that launches into Game Pass sells. So if Asha is concerned with sales, Game Pass isn’t long for this world. I’d expect massive changes or even an elimination of the service sooner rather than later.

James Schorn

100%, I’m so tired of game devs being treated like sacred cows as if they’re infallible. The games industry thrived when the world suffered, they’re employees at the end of the day and them getting laid off is no different to you or I getting laid off (for usually the exact same reasons). Every single one of us has a job people appreciate and some even NEED.

Haru Discourse

Awesome! I’ll have to check that one out

They Now Call Me UNC.

“Tim Schafer has generational knowledge”. Proceeds to green light Keeper and Kiln. Sorry but that man is washed.

David P

Double Fine hurts because I love their games but holy fuck, why did they make Kiln

Glen Yelenovic

We need a Lockmort edit of all the Green Reaper moments

Glen Yelenovic

Can’t wait for the sequel to Lies Of P… Truths of W.D.

Donny C

Gears E-Day didn’t cost $400 million.

Donny C

The problem with Xbox since the 360 and I have always complained about with them was their reluctance to own ALL the ips that they published and let the developers own them or gave em back. PS owned all ips they had 2nd party deals then eventually bought the studio. Here are the ones that come to mind….👀🤦‍♂️ Mass Effect Gears of War (original Trilogy) Alan Wake Sunset Overdrive Quantum Break Ryse: Son of Rome

Bartevious

00:37:00 honestly the spurs are just as dislikable as the Thunder if not more. Thank goodness the Knicks saved basketball until Silver ruins it again.

Bartevious

The Spurs are more dislikable than the Thunder are. And yall just had a great draft. But I still dont want to watch Shai play basketball even if yall ain’t public enemy number 1 anymore 🤣 beat wemby next time

Bartevious

Unfortunately that’s big business for you. It’s not a punishment, it’s business. Just like in sports if you get new management, there will be guys who lose their jobs not because they were bad or didn’t do what they were told, but because they’re going in a different direction.