We’re talking Xbox's partnership with AMD, the aftermath of the layoffs, Banjo vs. Spyro, the canceled sci-fi game Project Blackbird, and more. Let's Jump in!
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On this episode of Xbox Casuals, hosts Josh Finney and Corey Dirrig unpack Xbox’s recently announced partnership with AMD, a strategic move aimed at future-proofing the next generation of Xbox hardware while maintaining full compatibility with current titles and legacy digital libraries.
They continue to talk about the recent wave of layoffs at Microsoft and Xbox, examining what the cuts reveal about internal restructuring and the shifting creative direction at Xbox. One major point of discussion was the sudden cancellation of Project Blackbird, Zenimax Online's new sci-fi epic with visuals inspired by Blade Runner and a gameplay loop similar to Destiny 2 or Warframe, that ended with studio founder Matt Firor resigning immediately and adding to the long list of talent Xbox has lost since the Bethesda acquisition.
They then discuss the enduring appeal of classics like Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot, and Banjo-Kazooie, especially as reports surface that Microsoft may be open to reviving one of these beloved IPs, and finish up with the games they've been playing, including 2025 releases like Avowed and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as well as the original classic Final Fantasy VII just before Remake hits Xbox this fall.