In this episode of the M2 Podcast, we cover another dramatic week in the gaming world. Krafton has delayed Subnautica 2 until 2026, just ahead of a $250 million bonus payout — sparking speculation about motives beyond “quality improvements.” Meanwhile, Ubisoft’s long-running misconduct scandal reaches a legal milestone as three former executives are convicted of harassment and assault in a French court. Microsoft continues its wave of cuts, this time canceling high-profile titles Perfect Dark and Everwild, while shuttering The Initiative studio entirely. Lastly, we explore the controversial new trend of financing in-game purchases through “Buy Now, Pay Later” services like Affirm — yes, you can now pay off your Fortnite skins in installments.

0:00 Intro

1:16 Updates

12:58 Krafton Delays ‘Subnautica 2’ Game https://tinyurl.com/23cyb85f

26:00 Three former Ubisoft executives are convicted https://tinyurl.com/3639zcj8

39:24 Microsoft cancels Perfect Dark and Everwild https://tinyurl.com/2r7x7sad

51:50 Buy In-Game DLC And Pay It Off Later https://tinyurl.com/yxx8y8pt

1:12:10 Outro

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In this episode of the M2 Podcast, we dive into a turbulent week across the gaming industry. Microsoft is reportedly preparing major layoffs within its Xbox division as part of a broader restructuring effort tied to its next-gen hardware strategy. Meanwhile, Riot Games is shaking up esports by allowing betting sponsorships for Tier 1 League of Legends and VALORANT teams, aiming to create new revenue streams while walking a tightrope on integrity. We also look at Square Enix’s possible pivot back to turn-based RPGs, following the breakout success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. And finally, Netflix continues to scale back its gaming ambitions, pulling 20 titles from its service — including heavy-hitters like Hades — just a year after promising a major expansion into interactive content.

0:00 Intro

0:39 Update

05:20 Microsoft planning ‘major’ Xbox layoffs next week https://tinyurl.com/phr96mck

11:41 Riot Games Betting Sponsorships in Esports https://tinyurl.com/9bu6na9t

29:40 Square Enix Will Make More Turn-Based Games https://tinyurl.com/meek48hj

34:25 Netflix Backs Even Further Away From Gaming https://tinyurl.com/8x944rym

43:38 Outro

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In this episode of M2 Podcast, we break down some of the biggest stories rocking the gaming industry this week. We unpack Xbox's bold new direction, as the company announces its next-gen consoles will support multiple storefronts and handhelds, reshaping the traditional console ecosystem. Over in Nintendo land, the Switch 2 is making headlines—but not for the right reasons—as users caught using Mig flash cartridges are finding their consoles permanently banned from online services. We also take a deep dive into the rocky launch of MindsEye, a visually ambitious title that’s struggling to run smoothly—even on RTX 5090s. And lastly, Bungie hits pause on Marathon following critical alpha feedback, promising major overhauls before setting a new release date. Tune in for all the context, insights, and commentary you need to stay ahead in the world of gaming.

0:00 Intro

1:01 Update

13:40 What’s the point of Xbox? https://tinyurl.com/47jxjakm

35:10 Switch 2 offline forever https://tinyurl.com/mr3akpys

45:55 Disastrous MindsEye launch https://tinyurl.com/3zkzyrmt

55:08 Bungie Indefinitely Delays Marathon https://tinyurl.com/3p8hmz5t

1:10:46 Outro

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