SPEAKER 1: Video games on this podcast vary from E to M.
TINA AMINI: Hi there, and welcome to the official Xbox Podcast. I am right here with a really particular visitor immediately, I get the nice pleasure of introducing you all to Craig Duncan, our new Head of Xbox Recreation Studios. Welcome to Xbox Studio, to not be confused together with your Xbox Recreation Studios.
CRAIG DUNCAN: So I am in control of this as properly? That is new, like that is — that is, I did not understand that.
TINA AMINI: We do not make video games here–
CRAIG DUNCAN: Good to see you, Tina.
TINA AMINI: Good to see you too. Yeah, so we do not make video games right here, we do make video games advertising right here, in addition to this beautiful podcast. So sure, thanks a lot for becoming a member of the podcast. I do wish to begin with sort of giving the group a bit little bit of context about your very storied historical past and profession in video games. You have been in video games for 20 years, so you have seen so much, you have seen the ups and down of the trade, the literal ups and downs.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah.
TINA AMINI: You have additionally been lauded the place you had been Studio Head at Uncommon for a few years. You have been lauded to your work there. The studio tradition, clearly you shipped Uncommon Replay, you have been in control of Sea of Thieves for its tens of millions, aka seven years it has been ongoing now. And also you even have been working with Ninja Concept and Compulsion earlier than this new function. So you have been across the block, as they are saying.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, it has been a enjoyable couple of a long time, and I like what I do, like that is why I do what I do. And really fortunate to see a bunch of the transition on the video games trade, joined again in 2002, I labored for a European writer referred to as Codemasters that was sort of my discover ways to make video games, made a bunch of various sort of video games; motion video games, sports activities video games, then a bit little bit of (inaudible) halfway video games, a bit little bit of (inaudible) digital, after which joined Uncommon to guide them. And I’ve seen Xbox evolve and alter over, I suppose 14 years I have been with Xbox now. And actually, the a part of the job I like greater than something is working with studios. I believe everybody’s function is vital, and I believe my job as a pacesetter is to assist create the fitting surroundings for our groups to achieve success, create a tradition the place they will assist one another, assist one another. Making video games is actually arduous, it is not any simpler now than it was 20 years in the past. In reality, it is more durable than ever, competitors is increased, participant expectations are increased. So, I believe my job is about creating the tradition and supporting our leaders, supporting our groups to do the easiest work they will, as a result of I believe if I try this, then hopefully that reveals within the video games we make and what goes to our gamers.
TINA AMINI: Yeah, completely. Truthfully a favourite a part of my job too, simply attending to know all of our expertise at our studios. Like unbelievable expertise, so an unbelievable job that you’ve got in entrance of you. However well-suited to the function, clearly, since you have had loads of that pedigree, which is —
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah.
TINA AMINI: — thrilling and I am blissful for the studios and the way we’re shifting ahead. So, I would love to speak about that as properly, like we have got a giant and thrilling yr forward of us. We kicked off the yr with Developer Direct. I wish to discuss in regards to the video games that had been in Developer Direct, as a result of we have got an opportunity to speak in regards to the launch dates so we all know what’s coming, when it is coming. However we additionally simply launched Avowed, Obsidian’s newest sport. So I have been spending the weekend taking part in that myself. How about you?
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, I imply, once more, the fortunate a part of this job, spend time with all of the groups, spent a bunch of time with the Obsidian group. After which actually, like I really feel like I have been taking part in Avowed for like three or 4 months, as a result of we have — yeah, we clearly have a look at what we’re constructing. However simply seeing the response of gamers, seeing the opinions, seeing simply individuals share the identical love for the (inaudible), they have a lot ardour, Carrie, Feargus, all the group, a lot ardour into the sport. And yeah, it is a great sport, it is received great story. If you have not checked it out, go test it out. However simply seeing all of the opinions and it is an actual private second for a group whenever you put a sport on the market.
TINA AMINI: Completely.
CRAIG DUNCAN: And simply seeing the reactions and simply a number of the hype across the sport, and folks actually having fun with it, I believe’s been nice to see.
TINA AMINI: Yeah, I am sadly solely 5 hours in, so instantly after we wrap up I am going residence and I am taking part in some extra.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Okay, yeah.
TINA AMINI: This has been formally sanctioned. However even 5 hours in there’s a lot depth and richness.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah.
TINA AMINI: And we have had the pleasure of getting Carrie Patel, Recreation Director, out on the podcast earlier than. She’s been on Prolonged with me, so I’ve gotten to speak to her fairly a bit. I like Carrie, shout out to Carrie.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, completely. And simply Obsidians play the sport your manner, and identical to Avowed, certain it is a sport you’ll be able to play via the story and thru the aspect quests, however there’s really various the best way you load out together with your character, which you could actually play the sport in very, very alternative ways and I like that. >> Yeah. It is each the sport play, however then it is also the exploration which is actually cool. I used to be simply at DICE and loads of my journalist pals had been telling me, oh, my God, the verticality! And it is like sure, we have been principally speaking in regards to the verticality within the podcast with Carrie and there’s a lot to do and there’s that sense of, I see that factor within the distance and I wish to go have interaction with that factor. And there is one thing in that surroundings so that you can do. Yeah, yeah.
TINA AMINI: And it is like my sort of sport, and been seeing loads of good opinions on the market.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, and identical to the story and the setting and like I am tremendous blissful for Obsidian and —
TINA AMINI: World-class storytellers, I am loving Kai up to now. He is like scratching my like New Yorker sarcasm itch. So it is personality-wise, we’re match.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Good, I like that.
TINA AMINI: Effectively, we additionally had a bunch of different video games showcased in Developer Direct this yr. First off, I simply must say, I completely love engaged on that present. It is each as a result of we get to love actually embed with the studios, like at their studio, so all the viewers will get to see what’s the studio surroundings and like what’s the tradition, how are individuals working collectively. And it is simply such a lovely storytelling format, I believe, if I am —
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, I like the format and I believe simply, and I believe you mentioned it properly earlier, simply placing our expertise, like we’ve so many — a lot expertise throughout our studios and simply the extra you place them — I all the time really feel a bit little bit of a shill after I come and do that factor. It is like, you do not actually wish to hear from me speaking about our video games, you wish to hear from our group members, and Developer Direct is only a actually nice setting for them to speak in regards to the video games and the fervour and yeah, like South of Midnight was on there, which clearly a group I’ve labored tremendous carefully with. And listening to them inform the story and the inspiration, it is an incredible format.
TINA AMINI: Yeah, I like the Compulsion group, that is really their third ever sport, which is fairly unbelievable.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yep.
TINA AMINI: They’ve a really distinctive fashion, should you’ve, if the group our there has performed their earlier two video games as properly. Folks had been actually celebrating the storytelling, the performances, and there is a lot coronary heart in that sport and I like to see individuals having fun with that after I’ve seen the opinions.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, it is a, and once more, very, very fortunate I have been taking part in it so much. The creatures, the storytelling, the southern gothic, like there is not any sport I can consider that is been in a setting that they’ve realized and it is stunning, the artwork’s stunning. The, like I mentioned, storytelling, the creatures, the audio, the music —
TINA AMINI: The music too, sure. Particularly the music, you all the time, in each sport the music is unquestionably matching the tone, like the atmosphere. Are you in a boss combat, or are you simply in an environmental sort of extra peaceable setting. However the best way that the music’s like actually chatting with the bosses.
CRAIG DUNCAN: It is the storytelling.
TINA AMINI: It is their theme music. Precisely.
CRAIG DUNCAN: It is unbelievable.
TINA AMINI: I assumed it was so intelligent. Yeah. So I used to be actually blissful to have that in our present, that one’s popping out April 8, we introduced in Developer Direct. Enjoyable truth really, earlier than we discuss in regards to the different video games, is Artwork Director, Whitney Clayton, who opened the (inaudible) for South of Midnight, she really designed their entire studios too. The studio house itself. And it’s attractive.
CRAIG DUNCAN: It is a great place, yeah.
TINA AMINI: — I needed to steal her over and assist design our of places of work and he mentioned, completely not. In order that’s not taking place.
CRAIG DUNCAN: See, I went for a special factor, I am like hey, I can simply be primarily based in right here. As a result of —
TINA AMINI: Sure.
CRAIG DUNCAN: — it simply feels so inventive and it is again to again, you wish to be surrounded by the issues that encourage you.
TINA AMINI: Sure and you’re feeling the creativity whenever you’re there.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, completely.
TINA AMINI: I very a lot love their house and that is the fantastic thing about Developer Direct, you get to see a few of that within the environmental storytelling that we do within the present. However we additionally had a really thrilling reveal with Ninja Gaiden 4. In order that’s been within the works for a while. What’s our backstory with that franchise?
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, and I like the story behind that. So, not solely Staff Ninja, however together with Platinum Video games and I do know there was loads of, what are Platinum Video games engaged on, actually prestigious developer. Ninja Gaiden, I imply it is a franchise began on arcade after which residence computer systems. And I suppose, I believe the unique Nintendo there was a Ninja Gaiden model, if my reminiscence serves me accurately. But it surely’s additionally a franchise that is been synonymous with Xbox through the years in a number of generations. So, simply to deliver a brilliant up-to-date, extremely polished, simply seeing simply the tempo of fight, the thrill, the boss — prefer it’s received a lot. And I believe followers are going to be blown away by the sport. They’ll get pleasure from it. I really love the shadow drop of Ninja Gaiden 2 as properly.
TINA AMINI: Sure, a bit bonus shock, sure.
CRAIG DUNCAN: And simply the truth that we get to have these sort of surprises within the reveals and folks can go play it instantly on Recreation Cross is actually nice, and stay up for Ninja Gaiden 4 later this yr.
TINA AMINI: Precisely, it is such a great way to only sort of set it again up and scratch that nostalgia itch, after which remind the group about like the nice prowess and —
CRAIG DUNCAN: It has been some time for the reason that final one —
TINA AMINI: Sure, precisely. Yeah.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, simply placing it again on individuals’s radars and what was nice in regards to the franchise, however the publishing group actually enthusiastic about it. All the things we’re seeing, like we expect the sport’s shaping up rather well. So.
TINA AMINI: Sure, we’ve a lot love for Ninja Gaiden internally. The producer on my group that took on that exact phase and flew to Japan and labored with the studio, used to again within the day work for IGN, 10 years in the past was begging for the return of Ninja Gaiden, so very particular for lots of us internally at Xbox, to be sort of bringing this out into the world with these groups and get the group as excited as we’re —
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, it is an incredible franchise.
TINA AMINI: — actually particular. Sure, completely. Effectively, we additionally had third-party pals present up —
CRAIG DUNCAN: You probably did?
TINA AMINI: — with a brand new studio, Sandfall Interactive, that is their first sport that they are ever delivery collectively as a group, and it is Expedition 33. It seems to be attractive.
CRAIG DUNCAN: I am excited to play this one. Like, and once more, that is the bit the place it is not a part of my job, however it was the, it was the sport within the present that I am like hey, I actually prefer it. JRPG, plus distinctive setting, plus new IP. Yeah, I am actually excited to play. I believe I’ve seen as a lot as anybody else has seen, however —
TINA AMINI: The one one you’ll be able to say that with.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Completely, however what I like about Developer Direct once more, is it showcasing a brand new studio, a brand new IP, and I like that we are able to try this on the largest stage and present that to the world. So.
TINA AMINI: Yeah, and that group is actually great. I received to spend time with them engaged on their phase collectively. Their love for JRPGs is simply so obvious. They had been so embedded of their phase it was like such a pleasure to work with them and assist them inform their story.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Unimaginable.
TINA AMINI: Sure, completely, they actually have their very own like distinctive positioning on it, and like actually making it their very own. It is very enjoyable to study from the behind the scenes, like simply how a lot they’re placing into this sport, and we introduced it is popping out April 24, so —
CRAIG DUNCAN: Sure, very quickly.
TINA AMINI: — one other, yeah, one other one to make for a busy yr. And there was one different sport in Developer Direct, in fact, our large nearer, our summer season blockbuster if you’ll, for DOOM: The Darkish Ages, introduced for Might 15. So very thrilling to have that one shut out the present.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, and once more, tremendous excited for the sport, the group, and simply it is an incredible franchise, very storied franchise, DOOM. And once more, I do not wish to converse for them, however like I believe it will be an incredible model of DOOM, very completely different, however yeah. Simply —
TINA AMINI: It feels that method to me too.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Tremendous cool.
TINA AMINI: Talking of it being a storied franchise, they did such job, each Hugo and Marty simply sort of drawing again on just like the earlier DOOMs, the function that you simply performed, after which what that’s in comparison with Darkish Ages.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah.
TINA AMINI: And that sort of like large mecca, like gob smacking chaos that you’ll be discovering your self in. So, undoubtedly that large summer season blockbuster vibe for Might 15 launch date. We did additionally prevails announce that DOOM was going to be coming to different platforms. And since then we have had a bunch of different information about different video games of ours coming to different platforms. Talking of Bethesda, additionally Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yep, in fact.
TINA AMINI: And transient sidebar for Indiana Jones, that gained, took residence three awards from DICE really.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, large, congratulations.
TINA AMINI: Yeah, I had the pleasure of congratulating Todd in individual, just like the group was actually excited. It was so nice to see MachineGames on stage, taking residence three awards. So that they gained Journey Recreation of the Yr, Excellent Achievement in Character, which in fact went to Journey Baker for Indie himself, and Achievement in Story. All tremendous well-deserved.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Effectively-deserved.
TINA AMINI: I liked taking part in that sport. I believe I devoured it in two days, doing nothing else with my life, however I believe it was well-spent hours I might say.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, me too, and once more sort of received to play it pre-launch, however what they constructed was unbelievable and well-deserving of all of the awards.
TINA AMINI: Yeah, completely. Very blissful for that group.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, me too.
TINA AMINI: However on that observe, a number of the video games which are going to be coming to different platforms, they’re a few of our like long-standing sort of flagship collection if you’ll. So I am simply curious what you assume the Xbox group ought to take away from the truth that we have made that call to deliver extra video games to extra platforms.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, I believe it is good for avid gamers, I believe it is good for our studios. Our studios make wonderful video games, and we wish to give these video games the prospect to achieve the broadest viewers attainable. So, even when I believe again to after I had my Studio Head of Sea of Thieves hat on, having to see if these attain their a number of platforms, with the ability to take away limitations so these gamers may play collectively. After which we introduced Forza Horizon 5, which one of many greatest video games on Xbox. I am very biased, in fact, as a result of I do know the group tremendous properly, however arguably I believe most likely among the best racing video games ever, ever, ever, ever made.
TINA AMINI: I believe lots of people agree with you.
CRAIG DUNCAN: I simply assume it is good for avid gamers, it is good to have our video games attain extra locations.
TINA AMINI: It is a few of that high quality of life factor for avid gamers, but in addition blissful for our builders that get an opportunity to share their artwork with extra individuals.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Everybody that makes a sport desires it to achieve as many gamers as attainable. So.
TINA AMINI: Precisely.
CRAIG DUNCAN: I like that we may give that chance.
TINA AMINI: Completely. Effectively, there’s one different extremely anticipated sport —
CRAIG DUNCAN: Sure!
TINA AMINI: — that individuals could be very enthusiastic about, that we’ve not talked about but, and that is Fable.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Sure.
TINA AMINI: So the place are we at with Fable?
CRAIG DUNCAN: So, I simply wish to begin with actually excited, actually enthusiastic about progress, actually excited the place Playground are. We beforehand introduced the date for Fable as 2025, we are literally going to offer Fable extra time and it will ship in 2026 now. Whereas I do know that is not possibly the information individuals wish to hear, what I wish to guarantee individuals of is that it is undoubtedly well worth the wait. And I simply, I’ve unequivocal confidence within the Playground group. If you consider their historical past and legacy for Forza Horizon, the final two video games critically acclaimed (inaudible) —
TINA AMINI: Award-winning.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Award-winning, stunning, performed nice. And simply what they’re bringing to Fable as a franchise, simply consider the visuals of what you count on of Playground Video games, plus wonderful sport play, British humor, Playground’s model of Albion, so impressed by what’s gone earlier than with the franchise, however their take. And fairly frankly, probably the most superbly realized model of Albion you have ever seen. So actually excited in regards to the plans and actually excited in regards to the future and I would like the group to grasp that we do these items for one of the best of the video games, and the groups, and finally that leads to one of the best video games, or one of the best sport for the group.
TINA AMINI: And I believe out of your go to you really managed to deliver over some footage for us to see a few of these stunning visuals as properly.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah. So, I believe we’ll present a number of the, a number of the footage, this is not a trailer or something. We thought as we had been going to speak in regards to the sport, it was vital to point out a number of the issues.
TINA AMINI: Yeah, we get to see a few of these scenes, like sort of each simply strolling via environments the place, and there will likely be some fight, some metropolis strolling scenes, simply actually seeing how the attractive selection in environments which are within the sport.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, and I’ve performed some features of it which are within the metropolis primarily based, and once more, I am making an attempt to be very cautious that I do not spoil something. Ralph and the group will not forgive me if I spoil one thing. However I performed a number of the metropolis parts, I performed a number of the quests, I performed a number of the fight, I performed a boss battle, I’ve used magic. Prefer it felt wonderful, and I had a good time, and once more, I keep in mind the originals and the scene, I’ve performed that in sport play. I am not going to spoil the backstory of what is going on on, however as you’ll be able to see, genuinely stunning. Performs nice.
TINA AMINI: Simply seeing just like the cinematics after which reducing to the precise like combat over right here, it is attractive. It may possibly barely inform the distinction, which is such a seamless transition.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah. It is very actual, every little thing you are seeing right here may be very playable. I’ve seen a bunch greater than that, I am very excited. So take my phrase for it. However hopefully what the group can see right here is sufficient to construct pleasure.
TINA AMINI: I like the little particulars, it is nice to see how a lot emphasis is being put into all of that.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, and there is not any greater followers of Fable as a franchise because the Playground group which are making it. So I believe it is a actually enjoyable steadiness between what are the sport tenets which are true to Fable, and what’s some modern-day reimagining of what’s Playground Video games’ model of Fable.
TINA AMINI: Yeah, completely. The fashionable retelling of Fable. Very excited myself, I have been a large Fable participant since day one. So, I am excited for 2026.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah.
TINA AMINI: Alright, properly that is all of the information that we’ve for this specific episode and for what’s developing for the remainder of the yr. However earlier than we ship you again off to go hang around with different studios and see all of their video games and inform me about all of the issues that you simply’re seeing there, I might simply like to know like what are you taking part in, what are you wanting ahead to the remainder of the yr, possibly one thing non-Xbox Studios.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, it is sort of difficult, as a result of this job is full on, like as you’ll think about. And so I spend loads of time, so clearly I am over in Redmond this week. I’ve received a Steam Deck that is filled with XGS video games, so I spend loads of our time taking part in our personal video games. We have a bunch of stuff we’ve not introduced, so clearly I spend a bunch of time with that. I believe as we have talked about earlier, I believe Expedition 33 I believe is one thing I am wanting ahead to taking part in. Was cool to see the Swap 2 announcement, so like all the time curious and enthusiastic about what Nintendo do, so I believe that will likely be cool. However yeah, identical to we’ve heaps occurring.
TINA AMINI: We do.
CRAIG DUNCAN: So I try to spend as a lot time as I can taking part in our personal video games. Yeah, so.
TINA AMINI: We’ll name it analysis.
CRAIG DUNCAN: Yeah, yeah.
TINA AMINI: It is enjoyable analysis.
CRAIG DUNCAN: It’s enjoyable analysis.
TINA AMINI: That is me taking part in Avowed later.
CRAIG DUNCAN: It is one of the best a part of the job.
TINA AMINI: Proceed my journey, sure, precisely. Effectively, thanks a lot for coming by, I hope we’ve you once more right here at Xbox Studio, to not be confused with Xbox Recreation Studios.
CRAIG DUNCAN: That’s complicated.
TINA AMINI: — many areas, we’re however one location, right here in Redmond as properly. And yeah, we’re wanting ahead to seeing extra the remainder of the yr, and I hope everybody else at residence watching is equally excited. And we’ll see you on the subsequent present.
