Episodes

  • Former Xbox Exec on the Past, Present, and Future of Xbox – Unlocked 700

    Former Xbox Exec on the Past, Present, and Future of Xbox – Unlocked 700
    Jul 18 2025
    Former Xbox executive Greg Canessa – creator of Xbox Live Arcade – joins us for our 700th episode to share some awesome inside-baseball stories from his days at Xbox. He also talks about his perspective on Xbox today from the business side of things (including his thoughts on the Activision-Blizzard acquisition), as well as how he feels about Xbox's future. You're not gonna want to miss this one! This weeks episode is Ryan McCaffrey, Michael Higham, Greg Canessa, Parris Lilly, and is Produced by Nick Maillet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 30 mins
  • The Depressing Aftermath of Xbox’s Huge Layoffs – Unlocked 699

    The Depressing Aftermath of Xbox’s Huge Layoffs – Unlocked 699
    Jul 10 2025
    We sort through the aftermath of Xbox's devastating layoffs from last week, including updates on the status of where Perfect Dark was, what's left of the Turn 10 team, how Microsoft's AI investments may have played a part in all of this, and much more. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:42 - Perfect Dark00:16:40 - The Future for Halo00:26:05 - Elder Scrolls Online Dev's Comment on Cancelled MMO00:34:37 - Xbox Layoffs Updates & Turn 1000:49:35 - Romero Games' Unannounced Cancelled Project00:56:12 - Founder of Dishonored and Prey Dev Arkane Slams Game Pass01:06:52 - What Now?01:18:31 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Assessing Xbox’s Layoffs, Game Cancellations, and Studio Closures – Unlocked 698

    Assessing Xbox’s Layoffs, Game Cancellations, and Studio Closures – Unlocked 698
    Jul 3 2025
    As expected, layoffs at Microsoft and Xbox did happen this week, and they were unbelievably brutal. Approximately 9,000 people reportedly got laid off, multiple games were canceled, and entire studios were shut down. We sort through the wreckage on this week's Unlocked. 00:00 - Intro 00:11:12 - Assessing Xbox’s Layoffs 00:24:33 - ZeniMax Online’s New MMORPG Has Been Canceled 00:29:55 - Perfect Dark and Game Cancellations 00:44:41 - The Damage to Xbox's Brand 00:52:21 - Xbox's Future & Phil Spencer's Rumored Retirement 01:10:14 - Mafia: The Old Country, LV1 Gaming, & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Xbox's 2026 Looks STACKED – Unlocked 697

    Xbox's 2026 Looks STACKED – Unlocked 697
    Jun 26 2025
    This year's Xbox Showcase was very good, but next year's Showcase should be absolutely jam-packed with Xbox's A-listers, from Halo to Gears of War to Fable and Forza Horizon. And not just that, Fall 2026 should be one of the biggest quarter of releases in Xbox history. Plus: Xbox's curious collab with Meta Quest, our bigger-picture perspective on reportedly imminent Xbox layoffs, and more! 00:08:34 - Let’s talk about NEXT year’s Xbox Showcase 00:27:35 - What is Xbox's Genre Identity? 00:30:45 - What does Fall 2026 look like for Xbox? 00:43:54 - What does 2027 look like for Xbox? 00:52:53 - Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition 01:00:38 - Microsoft Plans Major Job Cuts at Xbox Gaming Division 01:24:00 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 35 mins
  • Dissecting Xbox’s Next-Gen Announcement – Unlocked 696

    Dissecting Xbox’s Next-Gen Announcement – Unlocked 696
    Jun 19 2025
    We kick off by talking about the games we got to play behind closed doors after the Xbox Showcase: The Outer Worlds 2, Gears of War Reloaded, and Ninja Gaiden 4. And then we dig into our main topic: Xbox's next-gen hardware announcement. We analyze what it means, what it doesn't, and discuss where Xbox is going. ****** 00:00 - Intro 03:00 - Outer Worlds, Gears of War Reloaded, & Summer Game Fest 13:50 - Handhelds Are Clearly Important to the Future of Xbox 21:20 - Ninja Gaiden 4 is Pretty Rad 34:43 - Dissecting Xbox’s Next-Gen Announcement 57:31 - Marathon got Delayed 01:07:03 - Whats Headed To Gamepass This week’s show is Ryan McCaffrey, Michael Higham, Miranda Sanchez, and is produced by Nick Maillet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Inside the Tony Hawk 3 + 4 Remake, The Outer Worlds 2 , & FBC: Firebreak - Unlocked | IGN Live 2025

    Inside the Tony Hawk 3 + 4 Remake, The Outer Worlds 2 , & FBC: Firebreak - Unlocked | IGN Live 2025
    Jun 9 2025
    In this jam-packed IGN Live 2025 special, we’re diving into three games revealed in the Xbox Games Showcase 2025. First, Daemon Hatfield joins Obsidian Entertainment for a deep dive into The Outer Worlds 2, then Remedy stops by to talk FBC: Firebreak. Finally, Tom Jorgenson sits down with Iron Galaxy to break down the long-awaited Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Remaster. You don't wanna miss it! 00:00:00 - The Outer Worlds 2 00:12:01 - FBC: Firebreak 00:21:40 - Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 Remaster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • The Best Announcements from the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 - Unlocked 695

    The Best Announcements from the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 - Unlocked 695
    Jun 8 2025
    The Xbox Games Showcase delivered big reveals and we’ve got thoughts. In this episode, we break down the biggest surprises and top takeaways from the show, including the ROG Ally Xbox handheld, Clockwork Revolution, Call of Duty Black Ops 7, the return of Persona 4, and Final Fantasy’s Xbox debut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • What Xbox Era Would You Like to Relive? – Unlocked 694

    What Xbox Era Would You Like to Relive? – Unlocked 694
    May 22 2025
    IGN Live is nearly here and we have a limited number of complimentary tickets for it! Head here and use the code "UNLOCKEDGUEST" to get a complimentary GA ticket for Saturday or Sunday: ⁠www.ign.com/live We kick off by discussing the specific Xbox eras we'd most like to go back in time to and relive – from Halo 2 to Rock Band, among others – before chatting about Bungie's latest blunder and the state of the once-great studio, Randy Pitchford's spicy message to fans in regards to Borderlands 4 possibly being priced at $80, Microsoft's new additions to Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft's domination of April's top-selling games list, and more! 00:00:00 - Intro, IGN Live, & Humble Bundle 00:08:28 - Favorite Xbox Era? 00:39:16 - Bungie Accused of Plagiarism 00:58:44 - Borderlands 4 $80 Controversy 01:08:09 - Retro Classics with Game Pass 01:11:22 - Game Pass Wave 2 for May & Best Selling Games of May 01:19:46 - RAIDOU Remastered & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 31 mins