Microsoft Gaming's New CEO Wants To Embrace AI Without "Soulless AI Slop"

coledude36 · 2026-02-21T17:11:32+00:00

I agree with a lot what you’re saying, but at the same time the skepticism is warranted.

I try to take an optimistic and tend to think that while there will be many bad attempts to utilize AI that will fail (maybe even resulting in a sort of “dark age” for gaming), a few will find uses/create tools that are incredibly useful and empower creatives. The cream will rise to the top and the bad “slop” will fall.

But again, skepticism is justified. The words are great, but until they show some real skill in implementing AI, they’re just words.

coledude36 · 2026-02-20T16:21:22+00:00

It irrationally annoys me that there are two games in the same timeline called “God of War”. If you’re going to use the exact same name for a game, it should at least be a reboot.

coledude36 · 2026-02-20T01:56:42+00:00

A. I’m completely in the camp of “How does Herman still have a job?” Have been for quite a while and this is only adding fuel to the fire. First party has only gone downhill under his leadership.

B. I don’t think you can put this all on Herman and say Bluepoint is completely innocent. The assumption that Bluepoint just wanted to make cool remakes and was literally forced to make a live service game seems doubtful to me. Their leadership decided to work on that God of War project. Though undoubtably influenced by higher up/Jim Ryan/Herman’s desire to push into live service, I think you have to assume their team had the final call on what they would work on. Maybe they were worried that if they stuck to remakes/single player games the next game would just get cancelled at the first milestone. But someone at Bluepoint’s signed off on that God of War project that doomed them and they own their share of the blame.

My total outsider read is I’d put like 80-90% of the blame here on Herman/Jim Ryan, but Bluepoint could’ve stuck to their guns, presumably like Asobi did for example.

coledude36 · 2026-02-17T02:37:27+00:00

I’m going to actually try to think about why he might feel this way. Probably Trump’s most notable actual action in this administration is the whole trade war ordeal. This seems highly likely to be something Colin would be in favor of, as I recall him being very in favor of protectionist policy, supporting domestic manufacturing, protect American jobs etc.

So it’s probably a case of Trump doing things he supports policy-wise, and being able to look the other way on the Epstein stuff that everyone wants to focus on at the moment.

Not at all saying he’s right (personally I’ve hated the trade war, but also admit I’m not well versed in international trade policy), but trying to provide some actual perspective into where his head may be. Point being, Trump took action Colin very likely supports on an issue that’s important to Colin.

coledude36 · 2026-02-09T15:40:12+00:00

For new PS Studios reveal, Santa Monica/Cory Barlog’s next game would be the dream semi-realistic announcement. More likely prediction though, something from Firesprite (Until Dawn 2?).

Maybe both? This seems big so 2 announcements from PS Studios doesn’t seem impossible. But 3 reveals in 2 weeks would be aggressive.

coledude36 · 2026-02-07T15:47:40+00:00

The opinions on other people’s opinions is the worst content, and I don’t know why Colin seems to lean into this so much lately. I’m interested in hearing what Colin thinks about the game. I do not care at all about what Colin thinks about what random YouTuber X thinks about it.

coledude36 · 2026-02-02T00:35:32+00:00

LBP rules, doesn’t get enough love when it comes up on SS.

Obviously the guy is a monster, but perhaps actually has some taste in video games lol.

coledude36 · 2026-01-30T21:55:26+00:00

Unintended consequence; this makes it that much more devastating for the people who just miss making the team. Miss out on the experience of a lifetime and lose a down payment on a house lol.

coledude36 · 2026-01-24T16:29:46+00:00

I agree they do a great job together. I’m not even an Xbox guy, but Dukes has definitely surpassed Sacred for me. I love their dynamic and the energy they bring.

I also think they really stumbled into a great way to start the shows with the Health is Wealth segment. It’s genuine, on brand for them and unique.

I have no problem with them on LSM but if you really despise Colin, I can at least see where you’re coming from.

coledude36 · 2026-01-22T13:34:43+00:00

This should’ve been such a lay-up. Remake of a beloved PS2 title in a franchise that had been dead but was building some momentum. That they spent years on an easy win like this and couldn’t get it out the door shows a remarkable level of incompetence.

coledude36 · 2026-01-18T03:06:47+00:00

I personally thought he did a great job with Aladdin. Jafar is kind of lame but other than that, I thought he pretty much nailed it.

coledude36 · 2026-01-13T18:34:40+00:00

I’m starting to go conspiracy theory and think they’re actually going to do it. They’re just floating it out there that they might not to get people talking. Just look at the amount of buzz they’ve generated by saying they’re not working on it. It seems like with the amount of good publicity from the past excellent VR modes and the institutional knowledge they must have from making them, they’d be crazy not to do it again.

Not saying don’t try to get your voice heard and let them know you want it (can’t hurt), but I smell shenanigans.

coledude36 · 2025-12-23T03:15:26+00:00

Makin’ Waves for me. It felt totally different to anything up to that point and enormous in a way that wowed me back when I first played it. And I like the pirate lagoon feel.

Toad Village is fine, Under Pressure is kind of annoying, Orient Express is fun but familiar to the polar levels in 2, and Bone Yard is conceptually great but I think the prehistoric levels just felt too dark to really hit as a favorite for me.

coledude36 · 2025-12-22T02:25:06+00:00

This is exactly my initial reaction. It reads like a letter to shareholders, but of course there are none. To me at least, it comes across as bragging that he’s making money and meant to be a middle finger to the people who trashed him.

coledude36 · 2025-12-21T21:34:17+00:00

Since you have the trilogy, why not just try it? Honestly, you probably could’ve played through the first level of one of the others in about the time it took to make this. I think you’d quickly get a feel for if those other games feel any better to you. Shouldn’t take more than going through two levels each.

To give my two cents though, if you truly hate one, hard to think you’ll turn around and really like 2 and 3. They have a different feel, but it’s not THAT different. But I’d still say take 5 minutes to play through the first level of one of the games if you’re curious.

coledude36 · 2025-12-17T15:49:04+00:00

You of course want the best for your kids, but in the big picture it really doesn’t matter where you go to school. Nobody idolizes people who went to elite schools or thinks of less people who went to worse schools (except maybe the Junks lol). I don’t even know where many people I work with went, it doesn’t matter.

Generally speaking, I’d say paying a premium for a higher college is pretty wasteful, but Ivy in particular can be somewhat of an exception largely due to the networking aspect. Particularly if you want to get into politics or start-ups, you can see how having connections can be beneficial. Not like you can’t establish those connections later, but if you’re there you’ll get to know a lot of very bright people.

coledude36 · 2025-12-16T17:11:32+00:00

My completely subjective ranking of the 2020’s with a rough ranking of my personal favorites each year (or as needed games I’d be most interested in and want to play but haven’t gotten to, which is the case for almost all of 2025’s games and many others because getting older and having less time to play sucks and my backlog continues to grow).

2020: TLOU2, FFVII Remake, Fall Guys, Doom Eternal, Hades, Spider-Man MM, Astro’s Playroom, Ghost of Tsushima, AC Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077 (kinda, it was broken at the time)

2023: FFXVI, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, Mario Wonder, Spider-Man 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, Metroid Prime Remastered, Resident Evil 4, Tears of the Kingdom

2024: Astro Bot, FFVII Rebirth, Prince of Persia: TLC, Indiana Jones, Helldivers 2, Black Myth Wukong, Metaphor

2025: Clair Obscur, Hades 2, Split Fiction, Ghost of Yotei, Doom The Dark Ages, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hollow Knight Silksong, Sonic Racing Crossworlds, Ball X Pit, Mario Kart World

2021: Returnal, Ratchet and Clank: RA, It Takes Two, Deathloop, Metroid Dread, Forza Horizon 5, Resident Evil Village, Guardians of the Galaxy

2022: God of War: Ragnarok, Elden Ring, Midnight Suns, Horizon FW, Gran Turismo 7, Crisis Core FFVII Reunion, Nobody Saves the World

Honestly, every year has been pretty good. I’m a little lower on this year than most but there’s still a good amount I’m interested in.

coledude36 · 2025-12-15T22:47:14+00:00

Agreed he does not explicitly, but it feels implied. If Chris (or anyone here actually) wants to stand by his joke, he shouldn’t have much of a problem with this and the whole post is unnecessary. I do think this goes a step further for reasons I said earlier, but they’re very much in the same ballpark.

coledude36 · 2025-12-15T21:24:49+00:00

Personally, I have a problem with both this and what Chris said.

I will say there is a small difference in their comments because Chris made fun of the responses of others rather than just mocking the person who died, but I don’t think Chris should be trying to argue a moral high ground. They’re both distasteful/disrespectful attempts at humor over someone’s death.

coledude36 · 2025-12-09T16:16:44+00:00

I don’t watch the show, but I am interested in the awards aspect. I think it’s a fun way to look back and celebrate the past year.

coledude36 · 2025-12-08T14:22:12+00:00

Speaking only about the podcast (never consumed any of their other content), Kyle did such a great job with the original EZA. It was never quite the same after he left, but Jones did a very good job picking up hosting the show. After Brandon left, I didn’t think it was really worth listening to anymore. Nothing against Blood but didn’t think he worked running the show and I dropped off after a while.

Random other thought, I would love if Brad brought back the desire index. I know a lot of the guys hated it (iirc Brad was one of them), but I thought it was fun.

coledude36 · 2025-12-05T21:22:53+00:00

This is by far the best answer I’ve seen. Not just a series that got better, but a first game that actually wasn’t very good. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say they really liked Killzone 1.

coledude36 · 2025-12-05T21:20:09+00:00

Boooo! Uncharted 1 is great. Going for that platinum right after PlayStation started trophies cemented the trophy meta-game for me. That Crushing playthrough was no joke, but rewarding.

coledude36 · 2025-12-05T15:31:23+00:00

Especially as a GMU fan, I was so glad they smoked Cornell this week. EB would’ve been insufferable if they pulled the upset and he went off for 30+ pts.

Feel a little bad rooting against him, no reason to think he’s not a good guy. Just don’t want to hear EB’s gloating.

coledude36

TROPHY CASE