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

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer reflects on past strategic missteps and acknowledges some "worst decisions" impacting major franchises, amidst the evolving gaming landscape. This article explores his candid remarks and provides updates on upcoming Xbox titles.

Phil Spencer's Reflections on Missed Opportunities

During a PAX West 2024 interview, Phil Spencer discussed pivotal moments in his Xbox career, highlighting significant franchises that eluded Microsoft. He cited Bungie's Destiny and Harmonix's Guitar Hero as among the most regrettable missed acquisitions, labeling the decisions as some of the worst of his tenure. Spencer acknowledged his initial reservations about Destiny, a sentiment that shifted only after experiencing the House of Wolves expansion. Similarly, he confessed to initially dismissing Guitar Hero's potential.

Dune: Awakening's Xbox Challenges

Despite past setbacks, Spencer maintains a forward-looking perspective. Microsoft is actively pursuing major franchises, including Funcom's Dune: Awakening. While slated for release on Xbox Series S alongside PC and PS5, Funcom's chief product officer, Scott Junior, acknowledged optimization challenges specific to the Xbox Series S platform, necessitating a PC-first launch strategy. However, he reassured gamers that the game will perform well even on older hardware.

Entoria: The Last Song's Xbox Delay

Indie developer Jyamma Games' Entoria: The Last Song experienced significant delays on Xbox, weeks before its planned September 19th release. The studio attributed the delay to a lack of communication and response from Microsoft regarding their submission, despite the game's reported readiness for both Xbox Series S and X. Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting the financial investment in the port and the perceived lack of concern from Xbox. The game will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC, with the Xbox release currently uncertain.