Xbox, GTA VI & The Future of Soulslikes | Between Levels Podcast Ep. 1

Welcome to the very first episode of Between Levels.
Join WheelieAverage, Sarthe, and FightinCowboy as they dive into some of the biggest topics in gaming, including Xbox's future, GTA VI, Summer Game Fest, and the future of Soulslike games.
In this episode, we discuss Xbox's recent showcase, industry layoffs, GTA VI's impact on the gaming landscape, Mortal Shell 2, Lords of the Fallen 2, anime games, gameplay versus graphics, and much more.
Between Levels is a weekly gaming podcast bringing together three different perspectives from across the gaming community to discuss the latest news, releases, and trends shaping the industry.

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Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to Between Levels
02:04 Upcoming Game Releases
03:21 Summer Game Fest Impressions
04:12 September & October Release Rush
05:26 Game Delays & Release Strategy
06:40 GTA VI's Shadow Over Gaming
07:56 Can Smaller Games Survive?
09:27 Xbox's Summer Game Fest Showcase
10:36 Innovation vs Established Franchises
11:30 Industry Rumors & Misinformation
12:41 Studio Acquisitions & Consolidation
14:11 Sony's Investment Strategy
15:31 Layoffs & Industry Restructuring
16:11 Gaming's Growth Problem
17:26 Are Soulslikes Here to Stay?
18:38 NFTs & Gaming Trends
19:33 Why Some Games Fail
21:03 The Death of the System Seller?
22:28 Graphics, Art Style & Immersion
23:05 Is Call of Duty Still King?
24:45 Understanding Gaming Communities
26:34 Realism vs Fun
27:10 Gameplay Over Graphics
28:52 Crimson Desert & Community Feedback
29:14 Evolve, Anthem & Games That Deserved Better
30:27 Mods & Community Support
31:12 Changing Consumer Habits
32:00 Rising Costs of Gaming
33:16 The Future of Gaming Technology
34:21 Why Gameplay Matters Most
35:52 The Power of Art Direction
36:39 Walking Simulators & Niche Genres
37:10 First Impressions Matter
39:32 Marketing & Expectations
40:43 Why Astro Bot Works
42:06 Storytelling in Games
44:02 Mortal Shell 2 & Modern Soulslikes
48:02 Pricing, Value & Expectations
50:34 Open World Design Challenges
52:27 Anime Games: Ambition vs Reality
55:42 Control Resonant Discussion
58:53 The Crowded Fall Release Schedule
62:12 Marketing, Hype & Mystery
66:38 FromSoftware's Untapped Potential
70:17 Developer Evolution & New Ideas
71:43 Gaming Through Parenthood
73:07 The Future of Between Levels
75:19 Final Thoughts & Community Questions

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