Xbox's Controversial Franchise Choices Stun Industry
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer reflects on past missteps and the difficult choices faced while navigating the evolving gaming landscape. This article explores his candid comments on significant franchise decisions and provides updates on upcoming Xbox titles.
Xbox's CEO Reflects on Key Decisions and Missed Opportunities
Missed Chances: Destiny and Guitar Hero
At PAX West 2024, Phil Spencer discussed pivotal moments in his career, including significant franchises that eluded Xbox. He openly acknowledged passing on Bungie's Destiny and Harmonix's Guitar Hero, labeling these decisions among the worst of his tenure.
Spencer, who joined Xbox during Bungie's Microsoft era, shared his complex feelings about Destiny. He highlighted his close relationship with Bungie developers but admitted that the initial concept didn't immediately resonate with him. It wasn't until House of Wolves, the first expansion, that he fully appreciated the game's potential. Similarly, he revealed his initial skepticism towards Guitar Hero's pitch.
Dune: Awakening's Xbox Release Presents Challenges
Despite acknowledging past errors, Spencer maintains a forward-looking perspective. Xbox continues to pursue major franchises, including Dune: Awakening from Funcom. Planned for Xbox Series S, PC, and PS5, the game's Xbox release faces optimization challenges.
Funcom's chief product officer, Scott Junior, confirmed these challenges at Gamescom 2024, citing the need for extensive optimization before the Xbox launch. He emphasized that the Xbox Series S presented particular difficulties but assured players of smooth performance even on older hardware.
Enotria: The Last Song Faces Xbox Release Delays
Indie developer Jyamma Games' Enotria: The Last Song experienced unexpected delays on Xbox, just weeks before its scheduled September 19th release. The studio attributed the delay to a lack of communication and response from Microsoft, despite the game's reported readiness for Xbox Series S and X. The game will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC, with the Xbox release remaining uncertain.
Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco voiced frustration over the lack of communication from Xbox, highlighting the financial investment in the port and the perceived disregard for the game and its community. The studio expressed its desire for a swift Xbox release but acknowledged the significant hurdles caused by the communication breakdown.
