Xbox Has Made the \"Worst Decisions\" with Big Franchises Says Phil Spencer

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer reflects on past strategic missteps and acknowledges significant missed opportunities in a shifting gaming market. This article delves into his candid assessment of Xbox's past decisions and provides updates on upcoming Xbox releases.

Xbox's CEO Reflects on Key Decisions and Missed Opportunities

Missed Chances: Destiny and Guitar Hero

During a recent PAX West 2024 interview, Phil Spencer discussed pivotal moments in his Xbox career, including significant franchise oversights. He cited Bungie's Destiny and Harmonix's Guitar Hero as among the "worst" decisions he's made, acknowledging the substantial impact these missed opportunities have had. Despite his close working relationship with Bungie during his early days at Xbox, Destiny's initial concept didn't resonate with him until later. Similarly, his initial skepticism towards Guitar Hero's potential proved costly.

Spencer emphasized his focus on the future rather than dwelling on past regrets. He acknowledged numerous missed opportunities but expressed a commitment to positive forward momentum.

Dune: Awakening – Xbox Release Challenges

Despite past setbacks, Xbox is actively pursuing major franchises. Dune: Awakening, developed by Funcom, is slated for release on Xbox Series S, alongside PC and PS5. However, Funcom's chief product officer, Scott Junior, highlighted the technical challenges of optimizing the game for the Xbox Series S, leading to a PC-first release strategy. He reassured gamers that the game will ultimately perform well even on older hardware.

Enotria: The Last Song – Xbox Release Uncertain

Indie developer Jyamma Games' Enotria: The Last Song encountered significant delays in its Xbox release, just weeks before its planned September 19th launch. The studio cited a lack of communication and response from Microsoft, despite the game's readiness for both Xbox Series X and S. This resulted in the game's release on PlayStation 5 and PC only, with the Xbox version's future uncertain. Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco expressed frustration over the lack of communication and support from Xbox, highlighting the financial investment already made in the porting process. The studio remains hopeful for a future Xbox release, but the situation underscores the challenges faced by smaller developers in navigating the Xbox platform.