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

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer reflects on past strategic missteps, acknowledging significant missed opportunities and "worst decisions" impacting major franchises. This article explores his candid remarks, focusing on upcoming Xbox releases and the challenges faced by developers.

Missed Opportunities: Destiny and Guitar Hero

During a PAX West 2024 interview, Spencer discussed key franchises that eluded Xbox, including Destiny and Guitar Hero. He cited these decisions as among the most regrettable in his career. While acknowledging his close proximity to Bungie during his early Xbox tenure, he admitted that Destiny's initial appeal wasn't immediately apparent, only fully appreciating its potential with later expansions. Similarly, he revealed his initial skepticism towards Guitar Hero's market viability.

Dune: Awakening Faces Xbox Release Challenges

Despite past setbacks, Spencer maintains a forward-looking approach. Xbox is actively pursuing major franchises, with Dune: Awakening being a prime example. However, Funcom, the developer, has encountered difficulties optimizing the game for Xbox Series S. Funcom's chief product officer, Scott Junior, confirmed the challenges at Gamescom 2024, stating that PC optimization is prioritized before Xbox release. Despite these hurdles, Junior assured that the game will perform well across various hardware configurations, including older consoles.

Entoria: The Last Song Experiences Xbox Release Delays

Indie developer Jyamma Games' Entoria: The Last Song has faced significant delays on Xbox due to a lack of communication and response from Microsoft. The game, nearly ready for release on both Series S and X, remains unreleased on the platform, despite planned September 19th launch. Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco expressed frustration regarding the lack of communication and support from Xbox, impacting the game's timely release. The game will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC, with the Xbox version's future uncertain. Greco's public statements highlight the frustration experienced by the development team.