WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.351 [knock on door] Hey, 00:00:02.041 --> 00:00:05.238 Mom says you have to let me borrow your new graphics card. 00:00:11.323 --> 00:00:16.758 KYLE: Previously teased in fun/corporate cross promotional PR just a few weeks ago, 00:00:19.248 --> 00:00:21.573 was officially revealed this week. 00:00:21.573 --> 00:00:24.183 Immediate side note, when I went to rewatch the trailer, 00:00:24.183 --> 00:00:27.187 I noticed this banner on Xbox's YouTube channel. It says: 00:00:32.901 --> 00:00:36.738 Which would lead one to ask, "Why would I pre-order something 00:00:36.738 --> 00:00:40.306 that I'm going to eventually play Day 1 on Game Pass?" 00:00:41.108 --> 00:00:44.167 And I think what they mean here is the "and" is an option. 00:00:44.167 --> 00:00:45.938 You have the option to pre-order 00:00:45.938 --> 00:00:49.238 AND you have the option to play Day One on Game Pass. 00:00:49.238 --> 00:00:52.138 It could be "or". The end of the trailer says "or." 00:00:52.138 --> 00:00:52.773 But if this said: 00:00:56.106 --> 00:00:58.604 there's kind of no reason to pre-order. 00:00:58.604 --> 00:01:02.075 It's like saying, "You can go on a second date with me 00:01:02.075 --> 00:01:05.966 or take this $20,000 and walk away forever." 00:01:06.784 --> 00:01:10.178 They're gonna take the money. Nobody wants to pre-order that bad. 00:01:10.178 --> 00:01:12.876 Really, though, this couldn't be simpler. The solution's obvious. 00:01:12.876 --> 00:01:14.325 Just make it a plus sign. 00:01:14.901 --> 00:01:15.816 What were they thinking? 00:01:15.816 --> 00:01:18.843 But I'd say when I watched that trailer, I had two main takeaways. 00:01:18.843 --> 00:01:19.910 First takeaway: 00:01:19.910 --> 00:01:23.206 The Stop the Music moment doesn't really hit. 00:01:23.206 --> 00:01:26.903 And when I say Stop the Music moment, I just mean that part of a trailer where 00:01:26.903 --> 00:01:29.395 the music's goin' great, right? We have a lot of momentum. 00:01:29.395 --> 00:01:32.969 But then suddenly, bwoo. Stop the music. 00:01:34.187 --> 00:01:38.375 Big reveal. "Whoa, they're doing WHAT?" 00:01:38.375 --> 00:01:40.439 Music kicks back in. Title. 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:43.960 Trailer's edited like you're supposed to throw your head back and say, 00:01:43.960 --> 00:01:47.696 "Wha--?! A-- Whoa! I can't believe they're going there!" 00:01:47.696 --> 00:01:50.692 But, I don't know, it just seems like another place. 00:01:50.692 --> 00:01:56.777 Anyway, it's kind of interesting that this collection of two classic games 00:01:56.777 --> 00:01:58.984 would be so proud to advertise: 00:02:01.712 --> 00:02:06.094 And I think it has something to do with what they're doing with Tony Hawk 4. 00:02:06.094 --> 00:02:08.247 Here's what the Xbox website says: 00:02:28.689 --> 00:02:31.382 So Tony Hawk 4, back in the day, tried out a new thing 00:02:31.382 --> 00:02:33.598 where you'd have more open area levels 00:02:33.598 --> 00:02:38.283 and you would skate around and pick up whatever little missions at your own leisure. 00:02:38.283 --> 00:02:42.792 Tony Hawk 3 + 4, I think to be a more cohesive package, 00:02:42.792 --> 00:02:49.374 has taken that fourth game and authentically streamlined it into the epic 2-minute format. 00:02:49.374 --> 00:02:51.987 Kotaku confirms that's what they're doing. 00:02:51.987 --> 00:02:56.841 So I wonder if including the water park in the same breath as explaining these changes 00:02:56.841 --> 00:02:59.567 is their way of saying, "It's all good, alright? 00:02:59.567 --> 00:03:02.887 None of this is bad. We're not taking anything away. 00:03:02.887 --> 00:03:05.939 In fact, we're giving you more. We're giving you a water park." 00:03:08.749 --> 00:03:12.329 And then the other big takeaway is obviously, "Woo, 00:03:12.329 --> 00:03:14.203 look at Doom Slayer here." 00:03:14.203 --> 00:03:19.141 Not just a hidden character, mind you, but a Digital Deluxe incentive. 00:03:19.141 --> 00:03:25.796 To me, an indicator that the Doom Slayer is teetering on the precipice of becoming 00:03:25.796 --> 00:03:29.299 a mascot. I do think it is less exciting in that 00:03:29.299 --> 00:03:33.526 he looks identical to his in-game character model from Doom Eternal. 00:03:33.526 --> 00:03:34.933 So does this Revenant. 00:03:34.933 --> 00:03:38.368 And sorry that the best shot I could find of that guy is from the Switch trailer. 00:03:38.368 --> 00:03:42.178 I think it's apparent to anyone whether they're really thinking about it or not, 00:03:42.178 --> 00:03:46.194 that the specialness of a crossover is reduced when 00:03:46.194 --> 00:03:50.126 you're looking at a 3D model that has already existed before. 00:03:50.126 --> 00:03:55.856 It's like, "Big deal. You put Quagmire in Grand Theft Auto. 00:03:55.856 --> 00:03:59.590 You're not gonna get a blog post about that anymore. We've seen it." 00:03:59.590 --> 00:04:03.654 I feel like the real magic, the real fun of a crossover event, 00:04:03.654 --> 00:04:09.405 is when the guest character has to adhere to the host game's aesthetic. 00:04:09.405 --> 00:04:12.460 Recent example: Sub-Zero in Fortnite. 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:16.966 He's both unmistakably Sub-Zero AND unmistakably a Fortnite character. 00:04:16.966 --> 00:04:18.445 They really pulled this off. 00:04:18.445 --> 00:04:23.053 Least they could do here is give Doom Slayer, like, a sideways hat. 00:04:23.999 --> 00:04:27.832 Maybe give this guy a shirt that says "Gnarly Dude." Make 'em fit. 00:04:27.832 --> 00:04:31.296 By the way, I don't believe these boards contain any original art. 00:04:31.296 --> 00:04:33.875 It's basically, "Yeah, we took some PNGs we had 00:04:33.875 --> 00:04:38.513 lying around from the last few Doom games and slapped 'em on some skateboards. 00:04:38.513 --> 00:04:40.332 Enjoy those." Those could've been cool. 00:04:40.332 --> 00:04:43.089 All what I'm saying is they-- Maybe it would've been cool if they hired some 00:04:43.089 --> 00:04:48.802 unique artist to do Tony Hawk-specific Doom original art for those boards. 00:04:49.538 --> 00:04:51.110 Kinda like what Fortnite does. 00:04:51.110 --> 00:04:55.659 I think the Unmaykr Hoverboard down here is pretty much a new asset. 00:04:55.659 --> 00:04:57.589 Yeah, that's what the gun looks like. 00:04:57.589 --> 00:04:59.316 So there you go. That's a new thing. 00:04:59.316 --> 00:05:03.069 And I think a funny thing about this, just in case you are concerned that 00:05:03.069 --> 00:05:08.668 maybe you're plunking down 20 US dollars on a swaparoo of pre-existing assets 00:05:08.668 --> 00:05:12.359 is that the bullet points for the Digital Deluxe Edition on the store page, 00:05:12.359 --> 00:05:17.329 in a very self-aware fashion, stress that each of those characters include: 00:05:18.580 --> 00:05:24.397 To me, that is exactly technically enough to shield this from being a quick asset swap. 00:05:24.397 --> 00:05:27.851 The value is in that horn toot. Better show it twice. 00:05:28.337 --> 00:05:28.800 [toot] 00:05:29.946 --> 00:05:30.216 [toot] 00:05:30.216 --> 00:05:33.821 But also, take a look at that cover art for the Digital Deluxe Editions. 00:05:33.821 --> 00:05:36.587 You see what I'm saying? This is mascot status. 00:05:36.587 --> 00:05:39.907 You don't do this unless Doom Slayer is huge. 00:05:39.907 --> 00:05:42.348 And by the way, if any of that footage was confusing, 00:05:42.348 --> 00:05:47.937 it's from a whole minute-long trailer just for the Digital Deluxe Edition of this game. 00:05:47.937 --> 00:05:54.467 And what this is and why it is so funny that they do still advertise Day 1 on Game Pass 00:05:54.467 --> 00:05:57.085 is that they are also, at the same time, 00:05:57.085 --> 00:06:00.205 trying their best to discourage you from doing that. 00:06:00.205 --> 00:06:02.746 "If you want to play as the Doom Slayer, 00:06:02.746 --> 00:06:06.252 how about $20 on top of your regular subscription? 00:06:06.252 --> 00:06:11.473 If you wanna play 3 whole days before Day 1, slip us an Andrew Jackson. 00:06:11.473 --> 00:06:17.983 If you want this Wireframe Tony Shader and access to the demo at some point, 00:06:17.983 --> 00:06:20.700 pre-purchase now." 00:06:20.700 --> 00:06:26.080 The message everyone is receiving is that while your 19.99 a month is really nice, 00:06:26.080 --> 00:06:30.135 it's simply not enough. You need to be doing better than that. 00:06:30.135 --> 00:06:35.679 However, let me be uncharacteristically fair to poor Xbox for just one moment. 00:06:35.679 --> 00:06:40.200 Back in 2020, back when Activision was its own publicly-traded corporation, 00:06:40.200 --> 00:06:43.870 you did have to digitally pre-order Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 00:06:43.870 --> 00:06:46.035 to access its demo as well. 00:06:46.035 --> 00:06:51.205 So some of this is really just Activision business inertia. 00:06:52.135 --> 00:06:53.346 We can't stop is now. 00:06:53.346 --> 00:06:59.882 So while it's fun to see Activision characters finally mix with Microsoft characters, 00:06:59.882 --> 00:07:04.032 it's also kind of fun to watch Activision business and marketing 00:07:04.032 --> 00:07:06.641 mix with Microsoft business and marketing. 00:07:06.641 --> 00:07:10.690 There is a Digital Deluxe Edition of Tony Hawk 1+2, 00:07:10.690 --> 00:07:13.078 which was a measly 10 extra dollars 00:07:13.078 --> 00:07:18.208 and included The Ripper, who is, I believe, an icon in skate culture. 00:07:18.208 --> 00:07:26.362 But, curiously, there are no trailers that end advertising this Digial Deluxe Edition. 00:07:26.362 --> 00:07:31.391 There's not even a single trailer that is only about the Digital Deluxe Edition. 00:07:31.391 --> 00:07:34.102 I mean, there are no promotional screenshots, even. 00:07:34.102 --> 00:07:36.815 I had to pull this from the Tony Hawk wiki. 00:07:37.775 --> 00:07:39.087 He does look cool. 00:07:40.493 --> 00:07:42.503 It's at least an original character model. 00:07:42.843 --> 00:07:43.155 [HONK] 00:07:43.155 --> 00:07:47.558 So it's hard to say if Tony Hawk using its final, dramatic seconds of its trailer 00:07:47.558 --> 00:07:50.723 to advertise ways that you can pay more now 00:07:50.723 --> 00:07:54.219 is more of an Xbox influence or 00:07:54.219 --> 00:07:56.263 a Call of Duty influence. 00:07:56.263 --> 00:08:00.533 Or maybe that's just how you end your trailer if you're, like, a big shot game. 00:08:00.533 --> 00:08:06.267 But for Tony Hawk, it wasn't there 5 years ago and now it's here. 00:08:06.267 --> 00:08:11.422 But, to be clear with you, I do think it is cool that this exists. 00:08:11.422 --> 00:08:16.293 Back in 2021, when Vicarious Visions got sucked up into Blizzard, 00:08:16.293 --> 00:08:20.465 it seemed like there would never be a Tony Hawk 3+4. 00:08:20.465 --> 00:08:26.528 So it is encouraging that Microsoft was able to justify publishing this game. 00:08:27.075 --> 00:08:27.875 Now, 00:08:28.594 --> 00:08:32.693 we just have to hope that nobody plays it Day 1 on Game Pass. 00:08:33.313 --> 00:08:35.901 And that's Delayed Input. I'll be back next week. 00:08:35.901 --> 00:08:37.108 Thanks for watching. 00:08:47.791 --> 00:08:52.190 As the Doom Slayer becomes an official mascot, 00:08:52.190 --> 00:08:55.694 I do feel like it's time to call out somebody who is 00:08:55.694 --> 00:09:00.491 definitely, certainly become a mascot. That's Astro Bot. 00:09:00.491 --> 00:09:03.326 Just in July of last year, Sony put out that 00:09:03.326 --> 00:09:05.846 Game & Network Services Segment presentation, right? 00:09:05.846 --> 00:09:09.105 They had this slide for Exciting New Releases 00:09:09.105 --> 00:09:11.708 and didn't even include Astro Bot. 00:09:11.708 --> 00:09:15.787 He wasn't their guy yet. It wasn't worth mentioning to the investors. 00:09:15.787 --> 00:09:19.586 However, in November, after Astro Bot sold 1.5 million copies 00:09:19.586 --> 00:09:22.933 in its first 9 weeks, Sony started to talk it up more. 00:09:22.933 --> 00:09:24.372 Look at this weird stat, by the way. 00:09:24.372 --> 00:09:26.964 37% of people who bought Astro Bot 00:09:26.964 --> 00:09:31.261 didn't buy any other first-party PlayStation title in the last 2 years. 00:09:31.261 --> 00:09:32.517 That is kinda crazy. 00:09:32.517 --> 00:09:36.973 But I feel like its a couple of recent ads that have really solidified this. 00:09:36.973 --> 00:09:41.022 Astro Bot's appearing in 2 ads co-starring Finn Wolfhard, 00:09:41.022 --> 00:09:42.934 who you might recognize as 00:09:42.934 --> 00:09:47.410 the guy who's got the Slimer subplot in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. 00:09:47.410 --> 00:09:49.714 [Slimer screaming] 00:09:52.844 --> 00:09:53.196 TREVOR: Yeah. 00:09:53.196 --> 00:09:55.953 KYLE: A legitimate, famous actor. 00:09:55.953 --> 00:09:59.477 Listen to how affectionately he talks to Astro Bot. 00:09:59.477 --> 00:10:00.893 WOLFHARD: Alright Astro, break's over. 00:10:00.893 --> 00:10:03.707 KYLE: Yeah, I think it's apparent that Astro Bot is a good mascot. 00:10:03.707 --> 00:10:09.055 But what I also appreciate is the marketing team seems to realize and recognize 00:10:09.055 --> 00:10:17.493 that their more serious human face IP can be mascotified with Astro Bot robots. 00:10:17.493 --> 00:10:21.716 Robot Joel and Ellie finding some big mushrooms and freakin' out 00:10:21.716 --> 00:10:23.629 is actually incredibly funny to me. 00:10:23.629 --> 00:10:27.985 Last of Us is huge. It's a huge success. No one would argue that. However, 00:10:28.395 --> 00:10:32.866 some franchises just aren't cut out to become controllers. 00:10:32.866 --> 00:10:37.829 Meanwhile, Astro Bot, practically born to become a controller. 00:10:37.829 --> 00:10:40.545 They shoulda just put a little beard on this. 00:10:41.211 --> 00:10:42.562 There you go: Last of Us.