2 Player Co-Op Podcast 2 Player Co-Op

The big question around Game Pass ever since the ABK acquisition, other than "Will Call of Duty come to Game Pass?", has been "Will Xbox raise prices on Game Pass?" We now have that answer, and it is yes. The pricing isn't the only thing changing though, as Microsoft has taken the bold step of removing Day-One first party releases from all Game Pass tiers except for the most expensive option. On top of that, PC Game Pass players do get access but for almost half the cost of what console players have to pay. Is Xbox giving the middle finger to their dedicated console base? The other big topic for the week is Kevin was finally able to jump into Shadow of the Erdtree and he shares all of his thoughts after spending 28 hours in the DLC. Just like Sean, he is absolutely in love with it, and addicted to it. Other topics include the new Captain America trailer, and sales results in the US for May.

Start - 00:00
Housekeeping - 00:10
Sean's Dinner Cruise - 2:00
Captain America: Brave New World Trailer - 7:15
Shadow of the Erdtree is a Masterpiece - 22:30
Xbox Finally Raises Game Pass Prices - 53:20
NPD/Circana May Results - 1:03:50
Wrap-Up - 1:10:45

After a couple of weeks away on vacations, the guys have returned! They kick things off by discussing what they have both been up to in their various vacations, before getting to Shadow of the Erdtree, which Kevin hasn't had a chance to play yet. Sean, no surprise, has beaten the DLC and is here to give is full thoughts on what is being called the greatest DLC ever made. Kevin took the opposite approach to gaming over his vacation, by purchasing Switch Online's Expansion Pass and diving head first into Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga. Speaking of Mario & Luigi.... they also go through all of their favorite moments from the recent (and maybe last of the Switch era) Nintendo Direct!

Start - 00:00
Housekeeping - 00:10
Sean's Great Wolf Lodge Trip - 2:10
Kevin's NY Trip - 11:20
Sean Beat Shadow of the Erdtree - 37:50
Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga - 1:00:00
Nintendo Direct Highlights - 1:06:45
Summer Predictions/Hopes/Dreams Update - 1:34:40
Lengthy News Wrap-Up - 1:36:00

To say that Xbox has had a rough go of it lately would be an understatement. Because of that, Microsoft had a lot riding on their Xbox Showcase for 2024. With a true PlayStation Showcase nowhere in sight, could Xbox FINALLY get back some positive momentum? In a word, that answer was a loud and resounding YES! The guys cover everything that was announced in what was probably Xbox's best showcase of all time. From Doom: The Dark Ages, to Perfect Dark, to Fable, to Gears of War: E-Day, and everything in-between, Xbox brought the heat. Unfortunately they also have to cover Summer Game Fest Live, which may have been, in their eyes, the worst Keighley show we have ever seen. There is a lot to discuss, so let's dive right in!

Start - 00:00
Housekeeping - 00:10
Infinity War Rewatch - 2:30
Beating Paper Mario Thousand Year Door - 4:15
Bioshock Infinite - 19:25
Playing PSVR2 w/ a 5 Year Old - 21:15
Xbox's BEST Showcase Ever - 27:00
Summer Game Fest's WORST Showcase Ever - 1:16:40
Ubisoft Forward - 1:29:40
Predictions/Hopes/Dreams Results So Far - 1:33:05
Wrap-Up - 1:39:30

The time has come for one of the guys' favorite traditions on the pod, predictions hopes and dreams for what is to come in all of the summer game showcases! Before getting to that, they talk more Paper Mario, run through a decent State of Play that was saved by Astro Bot at the end, and the NPD/Circana for April 2024.

Start - 00:00
Housekeeping - 00:10
Dad Jokes & Mike the Headless Chicken - 2:05
Rubber Duckies in Jeeps? - 10:20
Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door - 15:15
AEW Fight Forever - 36:20
State of Play Recap - 42:20
NPD/Circana April Results - 1:06:25
Not-E3 Predictions, Hopes, and Dreams - 1:08:15
Wrap-Up - 1:43:40

After nearly two years of speculation, Microsoft finally gave an answer to whether or not new Call of Duty releases would come to Game Pass. The answer, is YES. While this is great for Xbox owners, Kevin believes we will look back on this decision as the final nail in the coffin for the Xbox brand as a whole. The guys also discuss their love for Animal Well, Paper Mario the Thousand-Year Door, Assassin's Creed Shadows' reveal, and much more!



Start - 00:00

Housekeeping - 00:10

GTA6 Out Fall 2025 - 4:40

Oops - 8:10

IGN Acquires Their Competition - 9:15

Cat Quest - 13:40

Animal Well is Awesome - 16:35

Tales of Kenzera: Zau Platinum - 34:00

Parer Mario: The 1000 Year Door - 38:50

Call of Duty Heads to Game Pass - 55:00

Assassin's Creed Shadows Revealed - 1:07:45

PlayStation's Strong Fiscal Year Also Disappointed? - 1:12:50

Wrap-Up - 1:17:45

Square Enix has always been a third-party developer/publisher, but over the years they have become synonymous with PlayStation. That seems to be changing in the very-near future. After announcing that both FF7 Remake and FF16 failed to hit internal targets, some questionable publishing decisions, and layoffs across the US and EU, Square Enix has announced they will be getting aggressive with more multi-platform releases. Overall this is a good thing for gamers everywhere, but the biggest question right now is what this means for the FF7 Remake project moving forward. In other news PlayStation announced that they have named not one, but TWO new CEOs to replace Jim Ryan and Interim CEO Hiroki Totoki, and the fallout from Xbox's shocking studio closures continues to reverberate through the industry. The guys also discuss playing Tales of Kenzera: Zau, Animal Well, and Sean finally trying out Tunic!

Start - 00:00
Housekeeping - 00:00
PlayStation Announces TWO CEOs - 3:30
Sean Finally Tried Tunic - 12:05
Animal Well - 15:00
Tales of Kenzera: Zau - 24:25
Square Enix Getting "Aggressive" w/ Multiplatform Releases - 36:15
Xbox Studio Closures Updates - 48:45
Wrap-Up - 1:03:45