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 within the evolving gaming industry. This article explores his candid assessment of past decisions and provides updates on upcoming Xbox titles.

Phil Spencer on Regret and Missed Opportunities

During a PAX West 2024 interview, Spencer discussed pivotal moments in his career, highlighting significant franchises that eluded Xbox. He cited Destiny and Guitar Hero as among the "worst" decisions, acknowledging the substantial impact these omissions had on Xbox's portfolio. Despite his close proximity to Bungie during his early years at Xbox, Destiny's initial concept didn't resonate with him until later. Similarly, he initially dismissed Guitar Hero's potential.

While acknowledging these setbacks, Spencer emphasized his forward-looking approach, stating he doesn't dwell on past regrets.

Dune: Awakening and Xbox Challenges

Despite past challenges, Xbox continues to pursue major franchises. Dune: Awakening, an action RPG adaptation, is slated for release on Xbox Series S, PC, and PS5. However, Funcom, the developer, has highlighted the technical complexities of optimizing the game for the Xbox Series S.

Funcom's Chief Product Officer, Scott Junior, confirmed the challenges at Gamescom 2024, explaining that a PC-first release is necessary for optimization before the Xbox launch. He assured players that the game will perform well even on older hardware.

Entoria: The Last Song Faces Xbox Release Delays

Indie developer Jyamma Games' Entoria: The Last Song experienced significant delays on Xbox due to a lack of communication and response from Microsoft. The game, reportedly ready for both Series X and S, is launching on PlayStation 5 and PC, but its Xbox release remains uncertain.

Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco expressed frustration over the prolonged silence from Xbox, highlighting the financial investment made in the Xbox port and the lack of support from the platform holder. The studio is actively seeking a resolution to release the game on Xbox as soon as possible.