Don't get me wrong, I also find the AC Valhalla performance on Xbox Series inexcusable. Their marketing department hyped up the Xbox Series X version as the definitive version, even stating at one point that it was native 4K on Series X (when it actually has a dynamic scaler with drops as low as 1440p according to DF testing), and PS5 comes out on top in performance tests with as much as a 10 FPS advantage in some sequences. Even worse, on Series S it has both low resolution and a 30 fps cap, instead of 60 fps like PS5 and Series X. Ubisoft did Xbox Series wrong with AC Valhalla, and to a lesser extent Watch Dogs, no doubt about it, though how much of the blame is on Ubisoft for being lazy and how much is on MS for getting their development tools out to 3rd parties so late, I can't say for certain.

But I am glad that the situation will improve as developers get used to the new Gamecore development tools on Xbox Series. I'll be shocked if we don't see a clear performance edge for Series X on multiplats by summer at the latest (as in slightly higher resolution or graphics settings on Series X), with more stable framerate as well. 

Xbox Era is hinting that The Initiative's title is akin to Black Mirror.

For those unaware, Black Mirror is an amazing anthology series, anthology is essentially self contained stories, in Black Mirror's case they're 1 hour story episodes but other anthology shows tend to be entire seasons, with no connection to the previous episode, for gaming it would be like releasing multiple high quality self contained stories.

They seem sure it will be 3rd person which is for the best if it's an anthology, can't constantly change the genre too much cause that would be a nightmare in development.

I know this will be disappointing for some cause it's not a Sony clone But honestly this sounds very interesting to me, as a big fan of anthology shows (they don't do enough, I think anthology is perfect for sci-fi/horror) I would be kinda eh if it was strictly episodic but anthology episodic, that has my curiosity.

Could we be looking at self-contained stories, about 6 hours long, AAA, set in 3rd person, released on a regular basis? Another reason I like anthology is it gives creatives a chance to shine and take risks, if one episode is bad, it doesn't ruin the entire series because it has nothing to do with the rest of the series.

I'm thinking it's all making sense now with the rumours they're working on two games, the fact they're filled with high quality staff, something is clearly drawing them to The Initiative, something like this could really help them stretch their creative wings Imo. I'm pretty sure they'll be a significant overreaction to it though, typical trolling, that it is 'episodic' but it is a unique take on the episodic format for gaming, it works well in TV Shows but how well will it translate to games? Hard to tell, seems risky and the release schedule could be long depending on the genre, I am curious though, did not expect them to take this angle.

Cautiously optimistic, risky format but I'm a huge fan of anthology, the sheer level of talent in The Initiative eases my worry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AycdU__hvPk&

Just a little more patience and we'll be showered with games, play your Series X consoles and avoid console warriors making a big deal out of every little thing, Xbox will be fine.