Xbox CEO Phil Spencer reflects on past strategic missteps and the impact on major franchises, acknowledging some "worst decisions" in the company's history. This article explores Spencer's candid assessment, focusing on missed opportunities and the challenges faced in releasing upcoming Xbox titles.
Phil Spencer's Reflections on Xbox's Past
Missed Opportunities: Destiny and Guitar Hero
At PAX West 2024, Spencer discussed key decisions, including passing on Bungie's Destiny and Harmonix's Guitar Hero. He described these as amongst the most regrettable choices of his tenure. While acknowledging his close relationship with Bungie during his early years at Xbox, he admitted that Destiny's initial appeal eluded him, only appreciating its potential after the House of Wolves expansion. Similarly, he expressed initial skepticism towards Guitar Hero's market viability.
Dune: Awakening – Xbox Release Challenges
Despite past setbacks, Spencer maintains a forward-looking perspective. Xbox continues to pursue major franchises, including Funcom's Dune: Awakening. While targeting Xbox Series S alongside PC and PS5, Funcom's Chief Product Officer, Scott Junior, highlighted the optimization challenges posed by the Series S. He assured gamers that the game will perform well even on older hardware.
Enotria: The Last Song – Xbox Release Delays
Indie developer Jyamma Games' Enotria: 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 S and X, remains unreleased on the platform, despite launches on PlayStation 5 and PC. Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco expressed considerable frustration over the situation, citing a lack of responsiveness from Xbox and the financial impact of the delays. The studio has publicly stated their desire to release the Xbox version as soon as possible.
