Are MMOs Dying? Why GTA, Ark Raiders, and Live-Service Games Are Replacing Them

Episode #623: Xbox Labs has us imagining what comes next for the games we love. This week on XoneBros, we discuss AI-assisted development, game preservation, and the possibility of a much wilder modding scene. From bringing older favorites to modern hardware to giving talented developers more room to experiment, there’s plenty to be excited about. But what happens to original ideas when recreating someone else’s work gets easier, too? We also react to the GTA VI trailer and immediately start questioning our gaming schedules. The animation, atmosphere, and unmistakable Rockstar style have our attention, but can we squeeze in another massive adventure before diving into Grand Theft Auto? Our backlogs may have a different answer. On the hardware side, a new handheld purchase kicks off a conversation about why portable gaming makes it easier to actually play. Couch time, lunch breaks, and even gym sessions all enter the discussion. Then we take a look at the compact Xbox controller, its retro-inspired shape, and whether those smaller sticks will deliver the feel we want. Finally, we’ve been playing Gears together, and Horde Siege is giving us plenty of reasons to return. We talk progression, different play styles, and the fun of figuring it out as a squad, alongside menus that make finding almost anything a challenge. Join MrMcspicey, X1TheGamer, and Jordtheman for another week of Xbox conversation, gaming enthusiasm, and the usual detours with your positive gaming and Xbox community. Who are the XoneBros? We are your exclusive Xbox Series X & Game Pass weekly podcast. We are more than just a podcast though, we are a positive gaming and Xbox community. We are a group of friends who love gaming, comics, fantasizing about superpowers, and making lame jokes.

Episode #622: Gears of War: E-Day is here, and the XoneBros are digging into what works, what feels weird, and why this might be the best Gears has felt since the original trilogy. X1TheGamer, MrMcspicey, and Jordtheman talk through their time with the campaign, four player co-op, Horde Siege, the return of the Chainsaw Lancer, and why the game already feels like a much needed Xbox win. The crew also gets honest about the parts that slow the experience down. The linear missions feel strong, but the open zone structure creates some awkward co-op moments, strange checkpointing, and squad tethering that gets in the way of the fun. There’s also a lot of talk about the game’s pacing, forced dialogue moments, character writing, and whether the new squad members measure up to classic Gears characters. Beyond the campaign, Horde Siege gets a strong reaction for its bigger team setup, objective based waves, boss fights, class progression, and that addictive Gears loop. The conversation also gets into the online noise around the game, why the crew thinks players should judge it for themselves, and how Gears E-Day compares to other co-op shooters like Space Marine. Plus, Jordtheman gets exposed for secretly playing ahead, the crew talks Warhammer, MMOs, Game Pass backlog problems, Guild Wars nostalgia, and why every real gamer does the “can I kill this NPC?” test. It’s classic XoneBros: Xbox talk, co-op chaos, strong opinions, and way too much betrayal. Who are the XoneBros? We are your exclusive Xbox Series X & Game Pass weekly podcast. We are more than just a podcast though, we are a positive gaming and Xbox community. We are a group of friends who love gaming, comics, fantasizing about superpowers, and making lame jokes.

Gears of War: E-Day is here, and the first impressions are exactly what Xbox fans were hoping for. MrMcspicey, X1thegamer, and Jordantheman talk through the campaign opening, the updated movement, Siege mode, handheld play on the ROG Xbox Ally X, and why this feels like the kind of big Xbox moment the brand has needed for a long time.

Episode #620: Activision is reportedly taking over development on the next Halo, and honestly, this might be one of the most exciting moves Xbox has made in years. The XoneBros break down why giving Halo to a team with deep shooter experience could be the reset the franchise needs, what Activision could bring from Call of Duty without turning Halo into Call of Duty, and why a great Halo game still matters so much for Xbox.

Episode #619: This week, we dive into World of Warcraft Forever and why it feels like the clearest path for Warcraft to finally make sense on Xbox. Native controller support, the classic-style world, the ROG Xbox Ally experience, and the idea of a fresh perpetual version of WoW all sparked a huge conversation about whether Blizzard is setting this up for console players.