Game Pass Isn't Hurting Xbox Sales, So Is AI To Blame For Layoffs? - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! This week Ryan and Max try and make sense of the latest round of layoffs fro Microsoft, which saw the company dismiss over 9,000 staff across multiple subsidiaries. Arkane Studios founder Raphael Collantonio recently blamed Game Pass for the megapublisher's financial belt tightening, but recent sales data suggests Game Pass isn't hurting game sales; in fact, five of the top seven best-selling games of May 2025 were Microsoft-published titles, and all available on Game Pass. This suggests that those games are selling very well on other platforms, like PlayStation. So what's really to blame?
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Comparing the ACTUAL Exclusives of PS5, Xbox, and Switch 2 - Next Gen Console Watch
This week on Next-Gen Console watch, we take a look at the state of games exclusive to one console, . Between Sony’s expansion into the PC gaming space, and Microsoft putting more and more Xbox Game Studios games topping the charts on competitors’ platforms, it seems like Nintendo is the only console maker keeping its games in one place, and Donkey Kong Bananza is shaping up to be one of the Switch 2’s first killer (gorilla) apps.
This week’s show is Max Scoville, Ryan McCaffrey, Logan Plant, and is produced by Nick Maillet
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First PS6, Xbox Next Details Analyzed – Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! This week, Daemon, Ryan, and Max analyze Xbox's recent announcement that they're partnering with AMD on multiple pieces of hardware, including the third-party ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handhelds, and the likely successor console to the Series X and S. What does this mean for Xbox's hardware future? How does this connect to their push for cloud gaming? And how does this affect Sony's future with the PlayStation 6? Plus we go over last week's poll results and we have a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com.
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Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Wins and Losses - Next-Gen Console Watch
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! After a week off because of IGN Live, Daemon, Max, and Ryan take a look at the Nintendo Switch 2's launch and dive into what worked, and what didn't. Nintendo is touting the launch as their most succesful, outselling the original Switch over the same four-day period. Some analysts are already hailing the Switch 2 as the fastest-selling console of all time, which is great, but the common criticism, is there's not exactly a "killer app" akin to Breath of the Wild for the Switch 1. We also have last episode's poll results, and a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com.
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Nintendo Switch 2: Our Hopes and Fears - Next-Gen Console Watch
IGN Live is nearly here and we have a limited number of complimentary tickets for it! Head here and use the code "NGCWGUEST" to get a complimentary GA ticket for Saturday or Sunday: www.ign.com/live .
Welcome back to Next-Gen Console Watch! This week, Logan is on a very special assignment, so it's just Daemon, Max, and Ryan. The topic: their biggest hopes and deepest fears for the Nintendo Switch 2. We're hoping the Switch 2 can maintain momentum with third-parties, especially considering the Switch 2 is closer in parity to the other current-gen consoles, than the Switch 1 was to the PS4 and Xbox One. And we're all worried that everyone Switch owners biggest fear could return: Joy-Con drift. We also ahve last week's poll results, and a new poll for you to vote on at IGN.com.
And don't forget to buy tickets to IGN Live happening in Downtown Los Angeles next week, June 7-8. Go to https://www.ign.com/live/ for the full schedule, and use promo code NGCWGUEST for one free ticket!
Since the early days of gaming, players have debated which console reigns supreme and how to build the ultimate high-performance gaming PC. Each week, Next Gen Console Watch breaks down the biggest advancements in video game hardware—covering PlayStation, Xbox, and PC upgrades—all in under 20 minutes. From console power comparisons to must-have gaming PC upgrades, we help you decide where to invest your time and money. If you're wondering which platform delivers the best experience for the next big game, Next Gen Console Watch is the podcast for you.
Next Gen Console Watch is a part of the Geek Media Podcast Network, an IGN Entertainment Brand.
Visit Geek.com for more information.
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