Xbox Exec Admits "Worst Decisions" in Franchise Strategy

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer reflects on past decisions, acknowledging significant missed opportunities and some of the "worst decisions" made regarding major franchises. This article explores his comments, 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 passing on franchises like Bungie's Destiny and Harmonix's Guitar Hero. He admitted these were among his worst career choices, despite his early connection to Bungie during his time at Microsoft. While initially unconvinced by Destiny, his perspective shifted after the House of Wolves expansion. Similarly, he expressed initial doubt regarding the potential of Guitar Hero.

Dune: Awakening Faces Xbox Release Challenges

Despite past setbacks, Spencer maintains a forward-looking approach. Xbox is actively pursuing major franchises, including Funcom's Dune: Awakening. While slated for release on Xbox Series S, along with PC and PS5, Funcom's chief product officer, Scott Junior, acknowledged challenges in optimizing the game for the Series S. However, he confirmed that the game will perform well even on older hardware.

Entoria: The Last Song Experiences Xbox Release Delays

Indie developer Jyamma Games' Entoria: The Last Song faced significant delays on Xbox due to a lack of communication and response from Microsoft. The game, nearly ready for both Series S and X, was delayed indefinitely, leading to frustration from the developer who claims they are being ignored by Xbox. The game will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC, but its Xbox release remains uncertain. Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco publicly expressed his disappointment over the lack of communication and the resulting financial impact. The situation highlights potential difficulties for smaller developers seeking to release on the Xbox platform.