Destin Legarie Podcast | Save State Plus

I previously covered the abrupt departure of Helen Chiang, Xbox's first Chief Operating Officer, who left Microsoft after 21 years with the company and just three months in her new position.

At the time, it was reported that a source claimed Chiang was terminated for policy violations.

Helen Chiang has now responded publicly, and she's pushing back.

In a lengthy LinkedIn statement titled "Clarity is Kindness," Chiang says that characterization is inaccurate.

She explicitly denies leaking confidential information, leaving to join a competitor, or engaging in a range of serious misconduct.

Video game budgets are spiraling out of control, with AAA productions reportedly costing hundreds of millions of dollars. But should we stop comparing budgets just because game companies account for their spending differently?Jason Schreier recently discussed the reported $500 million Gears of War: E-Day figure and explained why comparing development budgets can be misleading. I respect his reporting, but I disagree with the idea that these comparisons aren't worth making.With layoffs, studio closures, rising game prices, and increasingly aggressive monetization, I think understanding how these budgets became so enormous, and what studios are doing to compensate for that...

Bungie has revealed major new details about the future of Destiny, Destiny 2, and Marathon, including plans to restore vaulted content, rebuild player trust, and establish a new long-term direction for the franchise.

In a new Bungie Community Update, Head of Product Josh Deane discusses the difficult decisions that led to Destiny 2's end-of-service announcement and explains why bringing back missing content is an essential first step toward rebuilding the game.

Bungie is planning to restore major Destiny 2 campaigns, including Red War, Forsaken, Curse of Osiris, and Warmind, alongside Strikes...

The real reason EA shut down BioWare and canceled Mass Effect 5 has reportedly been revealed, and Star Wars Battlefront 3 played a major role in that decision.

According to new reporting from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, Electronic Arts faced a choice between two expensive sci-fi projects: the next Mass Effect and a potential Star Wars Battlefront 3. EA reportedly viewed Star Wars as the safer investment, even though development on Battlefront 3 had not yet begun.

Following EA's $55 billion buyout, financial pressure, BioWare's recent struggles, and changes in leadership all contributed to the...

The Elder Scrolls 6 may finally be getting an official name! A new report suggests Bethesda and Xbox could announce The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel as soon as November, potentially revealing the long-rumored Hammerfell setting.

We're also discussing World of Warcraft: Forever, Blizzard's plans for controller support and the possibility of WoW eventually coming to Xbox consoles. Plus, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 news and more from across the gaming industry.

What do you think about the reported Elder Scrolls 6 title? And would you play World of Warcraft on Xbox...

Mass Effect fans aren't giving up after EA shut down BioWare and canceled the next game in the beloved sci-fi RPG franchise. The #SaveMassEffect petition has now surpassed 260,000 signatures, with fans calling on EA to continue the series or license Mass Effect to another developer.The movement is gaining attention beyond social media, including a Times Square billboard, support from Commander Shepard voice actors Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer, and renewed discussion about the future of Mass Effect.With the cancellation of Mass Effect Universe and the closure of BioWare, what happens next? Could another studio revive Mass Effect...

Microsoft's latest Xbox earnings reveal another difficult quarter for the gaming division. Xbox hardware revenue dropped 14%, Xbox content and services declined 2%, and Game Pass revenue also fell year-over-year.

Meanwhile, Microsoft reported $92.3 billion in quarterly revenue, up 19%, with $36.6 billion in net income. Xbox generated $5.38 billion in revenue, but hardware sales continue to struggle despite Microsoft's overall financial success.

What do these results mean for Xbox Series X|S, Game Pass, Asha Sharma's leadership, and the future of Xbox hardware? Breaking down Microsoft's FY27 Q1 earnings and what they reveal about...

Xbox is facing another major shakeup as Microsoft announces a massive voluntary buyout program covering approximately 60,000 eligible employees, including workers across Xbox and other Microsoft divisions.

This follows previous Xbox layoffs, major leadership changes, and reports of additional restructuring under Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. With Microsoft investing heavily in AI, what does this latest announcement mean for Xbox employees, Xbox Game Studios, Game Pass, and the future of the Xbox brand?

Today we're breaking down Microsoft's announcement, the latest reporting, and what this could mean for Xbox moving forward.<...

Cyberpunk 2077 just received a massive new update, bringing fresh Edgerunners 2 content, new side quests, dual-wielding, cross-platform mod support, character customization, and major performance improvements!Cyberpunk 2077 is one of my favorite games of all time, and Polish developer CD Projekt RED continues to give players new reasons to return to Night City. Today I’m breaking down the biggest additions, including the Clampdown and Welcome to Paradise quests, new weapons and cosmetics, the HKGN radio station, and the latest graphical upgrades.This video is sponsored by Polish Video Game Days.Polish Video Game Days runs October 12–31. Find out more at http...

Xbox is facing another major leadership shakeup as Helen Chiang, the company's first Chief Operating Officer and former head of Minecraft, has abruptly departed Microsoft after just three months in the position.New reporting from Eurogamer and The Verge's Tom Warren suggests Chiang was dismissed over an alleged policy violation, although Microsoft has not publicly confirmed the reason for her departure.Chiang spent 21 years at Microsoft and had only recently been promoted as part of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's massive restructuring of the gaming division.With additional Microsoft layoffs reportedly on the horizon, what does another major executive departure...

I sat down with the developer of Stranger Than Heaven for an exclusive interview about the game's unique combat system, its ambitious story spanning 50 years, and how players can shape Makoto's fighting style throughout his life.One of the biggest revelations is that you can specialize in a particular weapon over decades, unlocking new skills and moves as Makoto grows older. You can even play through the entire game using nothing but your fists!We also discuss the inspiration behind Makoto's journey, the historical settings, the evolution of his personality, and how the team is approaching this very different...

The next generation of Xbox consoles could look VERY different, and potentially a lot more expensive.A new report from Fortune takes a closer look at Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's plans for the future of Microsoft's gaming business, including a next-generation Xbox console reportedly targeting 2028 and a new handheld targeting 2027.But one of the biggest revelations is the potential price. According to the report, Microsoft's Project Helix could cost between $1,200 and $1,800 unless Microsoft subsidizes the hardware. That's a massive departure from traditional console pricing.There are also reported internal disagreements about Windows, the Xbox operating system, and what the...

Steam Next Fest is back for October 2026, and I went digging through the demos and upcoming games to see what caught my attention.I found 19 games worth taking a closer look at, from larger upcoming releases like ArcheAge Chronicles and Warhammer Survivors to lesser-known titles like Guns of Eschaton, Emberville, SLAM TANK, and plenty more.In this video, I'm exploring what's coming, sharing the games that piqued my interest, and highlighting some titles you might otherwise miss.Steam Next Fest runs October 19–26, 2026, so there's a limited window to check out the participating demos.**Games featured (Steam links):**- [Guns of...

EA is officially shutting down BioWare, the legendary studio behind Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and some of gaming's most beloved RPGs.According to Bloomberg, Electronic Arts is cutting approximately 400 jobs across the company, including roughly 50 at BioWare. EA has also confirmed that development on the next Mass Effect game is being canceled.After more than 30 years, BioWare is closing its doors. In this video, we're breaking down EA's announcement, what happened to Mass Effect, the broader restructuring at Electronic Arts, and what this means for the future of the gaming industry.It's...

I went hands-on with Stranger Than Heaven at a SEGA preview event in New York, and this game is far more ambitious than I expected!RGG Studio is attempting to tell the story of Makoto across 50 years, and I got to experience multiple eras of his journey, including 1915 Kokura, 1929 Kure, and 1943 Minami.In this hands-on preview, I break down the unique combat system, weapon progression, story, characters, underground fight clubs, minigames, music production, and everything else I experienced.We also got a closer look at Orpheus, played by Snoop Dogg, and learned more about the game's historical setting and...

Could Bungie be making Star Wars Battlefront III? A new rumor suggests Disney and Lucasfilm are exploring the future of the Battlefront franchise, with Bungie and DICE reportedly in the mix.This week on Game Chat, we discuss the possibility of Bungie taking on Star Wars Battlefront III, what a new game could look like, and whether the studio behind Halo and Destiny would be the right choice to bring Battlefront back.Would you rather see Bungie or DICE develop Battlefront III? Let us know in the comments!Subscribe for daily gaming news, industry discussion, interviews, and reviews.#StarWars...

Xbox might not be giving up on physical games after all. A new Microsoft job listing for an Xbox Games Supply Strategist specifically mentions coordinating the launch of physical Xbox games across all platforms.With the next-generation Xbox on the horizon, could this be a sign that Microsoft intends to continue supporting physical games? And what might that mean for the future of Xbox hardware, game ownership, and physical media?Today, we're breaking down the job listing, what it actually tells us, and why this could be encouraging news for Xbox fans who still want physical games.Do you...

GTA VI hype is reaching another level, and I'm starting to think seriously about how I want to cover Rockstar's biggest release. From launch-day plans to what I might do differently this time around, there's a lot to consider as we get closer.

I'm also talking about the latest Cyberleek situation, which appears to be completely over, and why there's reason to believe GTA VI could make its way to PC in 2027.

Nothing about a 2027 PC release is confirmed, but the possibility is certainly worth discussing.

How are you planning to play GTA...

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's campaign is a MUST PLAY! I've been working my way through the latest Call of Duty campaign, and so far, I'm very impressed.In this review in progress, I'm sharing my early impressions of Modern Warfare 4's single-player experience, discussing what people are saying online and what makes this campaign worth playing, and why I think Call of Duty fans shouldn't miss it.This isn't my final review just yet, but it's already a must play.What do you think of the Modern Warfare 4 campaign? Let me know in the comments!#CallOfDuty #ModernWarfare4...

Should Xbox bring back console exclusives? Microsoft is reportedly surveying players about a future where major franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, DOOM, and even Minecraft could become Xbox console exclusives.According to Windows Central, the survey explores everything from timed exclusivity to a scenario where nearly every Xbox franchise becomes exclusive to Xbox consoles, while remaining available on PC. Nothing has been announced, but the questions raise an interesting debate about Xbox's future.Would bringing back exclusives help Xbox rebuild its console business? Or would Microsoft be sacrificing millions of potential customers after spending years expanding to PlayStation...

Game of the Year 2026 is heating up, and it's time to take a closer look at the games competing for the biggest honors of the year!In this episode of Game Chat, we're checking in on the 2026 Game of the Year conversation, discussing which games have made the biggest impression so far, and what could shake things up as we approach awards season.We're also breaking down some of the biggest gaming news stories, sharing our reactions, and discussing what they could mean for the future of the industry.What's your Game of the Year for 2026? Let us know...

Xbox is embracing AI with the announcement of Xbox Labs, a new initiative exploring how emerging technology could change the future of gaming. After everything we've seen AI accomplish this past week, I think Xbox might be making the right move.Xbox CEO Asha Sharma believes these advances could open new opportunities for players and developers. But there's also plenty of controversy surrounding AI, including concerns about jobs, copyright, and the role of human creativity.Let's discuss the Xbox Labs announcement, examine the latest AI breakthroughs, and explain why I support exploring this technology while recognizing the legitimate concerns...

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has issued a warning about the future of Xbox, saying the company cannot survive by relying entirely on its existing franchises. Despite major restructuring and studio cuts, Xbox still wants to create new IP. But can the company deliver on that promise?

Meanwhile, Bungie co-founder Jason Jones and author Margaret Stohl have launched Stone Kite, a new studio focused on creating original worlds across gaming and other entertainment. And Epic Games is reportedly delaying its Disney collaboration while pushing developers toward an AI-first production model.

These stories raise some important questions...

Valor Mortis is here, and I've been playing the new first-person Soulslike from One More Level, the creators of Ghostrunner. With reviews starting to arrive, is Valor Mortis worth your time?In this first impressions video, I'm taking a look at the combat, atmosphere, supernatural abilities, level design, and the game's unusual take on the Soulslike formula.Set in a twisted version of the Napoleonic Wars, Valor Mortis puts you in the role of William, a fallen soldier brought back to life in a world overrun by a mysterious plague. Between brutal first-person melee combat, challenging enemies, and exploration...

GTA 6 could be facing its biggest leak yet. The person or group operating under the name CyberLeek is now threatening to release an allegedly playable build of Grand Theft Auto 6, including the entire story, before Rockstar Games officially launches the game on November 19, 2026.After reportedly releasing another 25 minutes of GTA 6 gameplay footage, CyberLeek has escalated the situation with a new demand involving a $30 million cryptocurrency market cap, physical copies of GTA 6, and a public apology from Take-Two Interactive.But does CyberLeek actually have the entire game? And what does this mean for Rockstar, Take-Two, and millions of players hoping...

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly addressed Microsoft gaming employees in an internal town hall, laying out where Xbox went wrong and where the company plans to go next.According to Windows Central, Sharma described Xbox as having fallen into “free fall” declines before this year’s restructuring, but said the business has since stabilized in key areas and returned to growth within first-party gaming.She also made it clear that Xbox Series X|S and console players are once again a core focus, while confirming that the next-generation Xbox platform, currently known as Xbox Helix, is being planned as a “fam...

Ninja Theory employees have begun reporting layoffs and potential redundancies as the Hellblade developer faces an uncertain future under Xbox.Microsoft revealed in September that two separate agreements to divest Ninja Theory had fallen through, leading Xbox to begin consultation on a proposed closure while continuing to explore other options. Now, multiple developers across programming, art, audio and technical roles have indicated that they've either left the studio or are at risk of redundancy.In this video, I break down what we know, what Xbox previously said about Ninja Theory, and what this could mean for the studio and...

I got an early look at Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and this might end up being my favorite racing game of 2026.The sense of speed is fantastic, the different vehicles actually feel meaningfully different, and the combination of boosts, upgrades, environmental hazards and takedowns gives every race a surprising amount of strategy. Most importantly, it absolutely captures the sound, speed and chaos that makes Star Wars racing so much fun.Here are my first impressions of Star Wars: Galactic Racer ahead of its October 6 release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Xbox is not for sale, according to Microsoft gaming CEO Asha Sharma, who directly addressed speculation about the future of Xbox in a new interview with The New York Times.Sharma says Microsoft is taking a long-term approach to Xbox, while continuing to evaluate the right partnerships and operating model for its gaming business.After months of Xbox restructuring, layoffs, studio changes and speculation about Microsoft's gaming strategy, we break down what Sharma actually said, what it means for the future of Xbox, and what questions still remain.Sources:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/arts/xbox-microsoft-asha-sharma.html#Xbox #Microsoft #XboxNews<...

I sat down with developers from The Coalition to talk about Gears of War: E-Day, including why they wanted the game to capture the feeling of the original Gears of War while building something completely new.We also discuss Marcus and Dom's relationship before the original trilogy, the horror and chaos of E-Day, pushing Unreal Engine and the game's visuals, favorite weapons, and what it means for Gears of War: E-Day to be positioned as an Xbox exclusive and technical showcase.#gearsofwar #gearseDay #xbox #gaming

Gears of War: E-Day takes the series back to the beginning with a campaign focused on survival, camaraderie, and plenty of brutal Locust combat.

After finishing the campaign, I came away incredibly positive on what The Coalition has built. E-Day delivers fantastic set pieces, gorgeous environments, satisfying weapons and combat, and some memorable character moments as Marcus, Dom, Lucas, Mags and the rest of the crew fight to survive Emergence Day.

There are some rough edges. Companion AI can occasionally get in the way, cover doesn't always behave the way you want it to, there...

UPDATE: Halo has now responded to the growing discussion surrounding creator access, criticism of Halo Studios, and allegations that some longtime Halo creators were excluded from opportunities.

Halo community director Brian Jarrard addressed the situation publicly, attempting to provide more context around how creators are selected and why some people may or may not receive access.

Instead of putting the controversy to rest, though, the response has sparked even more discussion from Halo creators including The Act Man, Team Respawn and others — with questions remaining about how criticism, creator re...

We’ve got some pretty interesting PlayStation updates today, starting with God of War Laufey.Santa Monica Studio has revealed more of Faye’s combat, including her new Serpent Bow, different firing modes, arrow types, weapon customization and new gameplay footage. Pre-orders also begin September 29 ahead of the game’s February 16, 2027 release on PS5.Meanwhile, Naughty Dog dropped some major updates for The Last of Us Day. Neil Druckmann says two new projects are in the very early stages that will expand The Last of Us canon beyond Part I and Part II.We also finally have an update on Int...

A report claiming Xbox is investing around $400 million into Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT made the rounds this weekend, but there’s now considerably more context around that number.Christopher Dring has clarified his reporting, while Jason Schreier says a source with firsthand knowledge told him Xbox signed PHYSINT for significantly less than $400 million. Windows Central’s Jez Corden is also reporting that Xbox’s actual investment is far lower than the figure circulating online. We’ll break down what’s actually being reported about the Kojima deal, plus several other Xbox updates including the debate over GTA 6 preorders, Minecraft passing 425...

What does success actually look like for Xbox from here?Former Microsoft executive Jon Kimmich over on Gamesbeat argues that Xbox needs to define what it wants to be and that success for Microsoft Gaming is not necessarily the same thing as success for the Xbox platform.From Helix and Xbox hardware to Play Anywhere, PC, third-party devices, exclusives, Game Pass, and Microsoft's growing role as a multiplatform publisher, I break down the key points, my reaction and what Xbox needs to define next.Source:https://gamesbeat.com/quo-vadis-xbox-jon-kimmich-guest-post/

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has weighed in on the ongoing changes at Xbox, saying he feels “fantastic” about the company’s studios and IP while praising the streamlining underway under Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.But Nadella also says Microsoft still needs to “invent the right sustainable business model” for gaming as Xbox goes through layoffs, restructuring and a broader strategic reset.That comes after Xbox disclosed it was operating at roughly a 3% accountability margin, while also revealing more than $20 billion in spending over the last five years excluding Activision Blizzard King as annual revenue declined by nearly $500 million.So what does...

Xbox’s massive restructuring continues, and we’re starting to get a much clearer picture of what the company could look like when it’s finished.New reporting points to another 268 reductions as Xbox reorganizes its business, with major changes involving Activision, Bethesda, Halo Studios, Obsidian, Playground Games, Turn 10 and more.Perhaps the biggest change: Activision is reportedly taking responsibility for major Xbox franchises including Halo, Sea of Thieves and Age of Empires, while Halo Studios transitions into more of a support role. A new Halo game is already in development.Elsewhere, Playground Games and Turn 10 are reportedly being combin...

Bungie just made a massive announcement about the future of Destiny. After previously announcing that Monuments of Triumph would be the final content update for Destiny 2, Bungie now says “we are not done with Destiny” and is beginning work to restore vaulted Destiny 2 campaigns, destinations, and raids.The studio says Destiny is “foundational” to Bungie’s future and that restoring the game’s lost content is only the first step toward new Destiny stories and games. Bungie also acknowledged that vaulting content damaged player trust and says bringing it back will require updating lighting, encounters, enemies, and underlying systems rather than...

I finally jumped into Control Resonant, and after my first hour, the combat has completely sold me.I never played the original Control, but Resonant includes a story catch-up and so far I’ve had no problem jumping into this world. The combat already feels deep, with different abilities, builds, upgrade paths, aerial movement, and some really creative boss encounters.The visuals are also incredibly striking, and I’m already interested in where the story between the main character and his sister is going.This is only a first impressions video after my opening hours with the game, but Cont...

Silent Hill: Townfall is finally here, and I spent my first hour getting a feel for its first-person horror, puzzle design, and 1996 setting.So far, I’m really liking how involved exploration feels. Searching drawers, using pay phones, and tracking down actual puzzle clues makes the environment feel more important than simply guessing your way through solutions.There are some performance issues I noticed early on, but this is only a review in progress after about an hour of playtime.#SilentHillTownfall #SilentHill #Gaming