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

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer recently reflected on past decisions, acknowledging some significant missed opportunities and even labeling certain choices as "the worst" in his career. This candid reflection comes amidst a period of significant change within the gaming industry and for Xbox itself. Read on to learn more about Spencer's insights and the challenges facing upcoming Xbox releases.

Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Reflects on Past Decisions

Missed Opportunities: Destiny and Guitar Hero

During a PAX West 2024 interview, Phil Spencer discussed key moments in his career, highlighting both successes and significant missed opportunities. He specifically mentioned passing on the Destiny and Guitar Hero franchises as among his worst decisions. Spencer, who joined Xbox while Bungie was under Microsoft's umbrella, shared his complex feelings about Destiny, noting that while he learned much from working alongside Bungie, the initial concept didn't resonate with him until later. Similarly, he admitted to initial skepticism regarding Guitar Hero's potential.

Despite these regrets, Spencer emphasized his forward-looking approach, stating that dwelling on past mistakes isn't his style. He acknowledged numerous missed opportunities but remains focused on the future and Xbox's current projects.

Dune: Awakening Faces Xbox Release Challenges

While learning from past mistakes, Xbox is actively pursuing new opportunities. Dune: Awakening, developed by Funcom, is a highly anticipated addition to the Xbox lineup. Planned for release on Xbox Series S, PC, and PS5, the game's development for Xbox has presented challenges.

Funcom's chief product officer, Scott Junior, explained that optimization for the Xbox Series S is proving more demanding than anticipated, leading to a PC-first release strategy. However, Junior reassured fans 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 has experienced significant delays in its Xbox release. Weeks before the planned September 19th launch, the studio revealed that a lack of communication and response from Microsoft has prevented submission and release on the platform. The game will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC, but the Xbox version's future remains uncertain.

Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco expressed frustration over the lack of communication from Xbox, highlighting the financial investment made in porting the game and the significant impact of the delay. The situation underscores challenges faced by smaller developers in navigating the complexities of Xbox's release process. The studio continues to advocate for a timely Xbox release, but the situation remains unresolved.